led by Professor Paul Selden
University of Kansas
and Mr John Spawton
Wilmslow Guild
LATEST NEWS: We had a great study tour to the USA. Click on the sidebar Monument Valley photo to see a picture album of the trip.
The western USA has more
than its fair share of magnificent scenery on a grand
scale: the highest mountain in the co-terminous United
States, the lowest point on the continent, the driest
deserts, lushest forests, ancient cultures and, of course,
the grandest canyon. The region has a complex geological
structure, and recent earthquake, volcanic and erosional
activity can clearly be seen in many places. As a
consequence of the diverse landscape, climatic control on
vegetation and wildlife is also superbly displayed.
The Day School and Study Tour take a transect from west to
east across the Western Cordillera, from the Pacific Ocean
to the Great Plains, to highlight the variety of
geological, scenic and ecological phenomena of the region.
THE STUDY TOUR
begins in San Francisco, where we can explore the city as
well as the Pacific coastal scenery and wildlife. We then
cross the Great Valley to Yosemite National Park. Here,
Tertiary granites of the Sierra Nevada have been cut by
glaciers in the last Ice Age into the unique Yosemite
Valley, with classic examples of truncated spurs (Half
Dome, El Capitan) and hanging valleys (Yosemite Falls,
Bridal Veil Falls). We also see the mighty Redwood forests
giving way to tundra on the mountain tops.
Crossing the Sierra into Owens Valley, a string of
beautiful geological localities include Mono Lake and
Craters, Devil’s Post-pile, and the Earthquake Fault, lying
at the foot of the magnificent Mount Whitney range. Leaving
Lone Pine, we head eastwards across the Basin and Range
into Death Valley. This is more than just a salt pan; there
are saline lakes brimming with wildlife, groves of bushes
with incredible adaptations to the harsh conditions,
colourful sandstones, alluvial fans, evidence of frequent
earthquakes, sand dunes, and remains of a once-prosperous
mining industry.
We overnight at Las Vegas, where we can experience the
ingenuity/folly of Man in maintaining a vast city
playground in the desert. Crossing the Hoover Dam, we enter
Arizona and head for the Grand Canyon, highlight of the
tour. We have three nights here – plenty of time for avid
walkers to stretch their legs on day hikes, the chance to
take flights over the canyon, ride the steam railway, or
just walk along the rim and/or take the shuttle bus between
viewpoints.
From the Grand Canyon we head south to Sunset Crater and
Walnut Canyon for an overnight in beautiful Sedona; then we
go east again, via Meteor Crater, to the Petrified Forest
in the Painted Desert. A night in Holbrook, then we enter
the Navajo Nation, visiting an old-fashioned trading post
en route to Canyon de Chelly. This is a beautiful setting,
right in the heart of the Navajo Nation which features in
their legends. We enjoy a drive through the canyon,
visiting ancient cliff dwellings with a Navajo guide,
before visiting the spectacular Monument Valley, with its
classic mesas and buttes.
Three nights at Bluff gives us time to explore the stunning
Arches National Park among the canyonlands of Utah, and we
have a full day float trip down the gentle San Juan river,
as it cuts through the Raplee Anticline to Mexican Hat,
stopping to see ancient sites and geological wonders. From
Bluff we head east to visit the lofty Mesa Verde,
world-renowned for its cliff dwellings, then cross more
ancient rocks in passes through the Rocky Mountains.
A trip on the Cumbres & Toltec steam railroad
illustrates geology in conjunction with mining and
transport in breathtaking scenery. We visit the Great Sand
Dunes National park en route to the Rocky Mountain National
Park where we stay for two nights to explore high mountain
scenery and ecology, before leaving from Denver for our
flight back to Manchester.
Those who have been to the region before will understand
how the Grand Canyon never fails to amaze even the regular
visitor. This study tour includes a profusion of other
world-famous as well as less-visited sites of interest, and
some once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as the San Juan
river trip and Navajo tour of Canyon de Chelly. No previous
knowledge of geology or natural history is assumed.
THE DAY SCHOOL will
consist of lecture sessions, with colour slides, maps and
specimens, on the geological setting, scenery and wildlife
of western USA.
The Day School will be held on Saturday 16th December 2006,
at the Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5HD. Participants are invited to arrive in time for
coffee at 10·30 a.m. The Day School will finish with tea at
3·30 p.m. The fee of £25 includes tuition, coffee, lunch
and tea. Cheques for the full amount (no fee reductions)
should be made payable to the Wilmslow Guild and sent to
the address above. Early booking is advisable; no tickets
will be issued on the day.
The Study Tour
runs from Monday 2nd July to Monday 23rd July, 2007. The
fee of £3295 includes all transport, by luxury coach and
air, starting from and returning to Wilmslow and Manchester
Airport, quality accommodation in twin-bedded rooms,
scheduled entrance fees, Canyon de Chelly scenic drive, San
Juan river excursion, and Cumbres & Toltec Railroad
trip. Insurance, meals, gratuities and any optional
entrance fees or excursions are not included. Single rooms
are available for a supplement of £680. Places are limited
on this study tour so you are advised not to delay in
making a deposit to secure yours!