Thanks for this one, Jonathan. Also, I'm taking some solace is this line: "This year, even the cheatgrass appears to be struggling." The invasive is an annual. Yes, their seedbank can last a few years, but maybe this hard year will make some room for the native perennials who are adapted to the landscape and have a longer memory for place than most of us humans. I trust nature's genetic capacity to endure and persist.
Excellent write up. It made me think of a few things. First, like you, I've never seen any trail to Jackson's Castle. Its been a few years since my last visit, but never seen one before. Second, when I was at Crow Canyon working with your father, I never would have imagined that Sand Canyon would be a popular hiking spot. It seemed so remote back then. Since we ended excavations, I've visited 5-6 times and only once did I ever see other visitors there. Finally, speaking of Ortman's work and the Tewa migration theory, I dove deep into that for an article about 2 years ago, combining Ortman's work with the work of other researchers. That article is here: https://elpalacio.org/2024/08/feet-sandalsand-the-power-of-political-agency-in-the-ancient-southwest/
Thanks Jim, and yes, that was a great article you wrote for El Palacio (I think I linked to it here back when it ran). I should mention that when I'm referring to Sand Canyon as a hiking spot I mean the lower portions of the canyon and its neighboring canyons (down by Battle Rock), not the head of the canyon where Sand Canyon Pueblo is.
Ahhhh. Thank you for the clarification. Yes. That makes sense now. I have seen more cars parked down at the lower area trailhead. That upper area is still rarely visited me thinks. I went back 2 years ago to the rooms I excavated with Bruce Bradley. Man, it was strange to stand there again!
Thanks for the meander in the Canyons of the Ancients, Jonathan, especially at Jackson's Castle ruin. Did you run into any whatnots out there? We're curious to know how our fire season will be this year since we usually call in several fires every summer in and near the Monument
I passed a couple of cars by the cannonball trailhead, then no one. It was super quiet out there (aside from the braying of cows in the distance and the rain on my tent).
Damn, I liked meandering through that area. One time I drove an old Jeep from the Hovenweep visitors center to Cortez on the backroad with a map from the visitor center showing a number of small structures along the way. Some years ago. All by myself.
Thanks for this one, Jonathan. Also, I'm taking some solace is this line: "This year, even the cheatgrass appears to be struggling." The invasive is an annual. Yes, their seedbank can last a few years, but maybe this hard year will make some room for the native perennials who are adapted to the landscape and have a longer memory for place than most of us humans. I trust nature's genetic capacity to endure and persist.
I really liked this one, Jonathan.
Incredible photo of the white mare and newborn foal with the black horse buddy at the end.
They look good - not thin - considering the grazing. But then they're used to that arid land.
Thanks, Jonathan. I haven’t been out that there for far too long. Sandy is smiling, I’m sure.
Excellent write up. It made me think of a few things. First, like you, I've never seen any trail to Jackson's Castle. Its been a few years since my last visit, but never seen one before. Second, when I was at Crow Canyon working with your father, I never would have imagined that Sand Canyon would be a popular hiking spot. It seemed so remote back then. Since we ended excavations, I've visited 5-6 times and only once did I ever see other visitors there. Finally, speaking of Ortman's work and the Tewa migration theory, I dove deep into that for an article about 2 years ago, combining Ortman's work with the work of other researchers. That article is here: https://elpalacio.org/2024/08/feet-sandalsand-the-power-of-political-agency-in-the-ancient-southwest/
Thanks Jim, and yes, that was a great article you wrote for El Palacio (I think I linked to it here back when it ran). I should mention that when I'm referring to Sand Canyon as a hiking spot I mean the lower portions of the canyon and its neighboring canyons (down by Battle Rock), not the head of the canyon where Sand Canyon Pueblo is.
Ahhhh. Thank you for the clarification. Yes. That makes sense now. I have seen more cars parked down at the lower area trailhead. That upper area is still rarely visited me thinks. I went back 2 years ago to the rooms I excavated with Bruce Bradley. Man, it was strange to stand there again!
Thanks for the meander in the Canyons of the Ancients, Jonathan, especially at Jackson's Castle ruin. Did you run into any whatnots out there? We're curious to know how our fire season will be this year since we usually call in several fires every summer in and near the Monument
I passed a couple of cars by the cannonball trailhead, then no one. It was super quiet out there (aside from the braying of cows in the distance and the rain on my tent).
I’m glad to see you have upgraded your mobility! Well deserved!! And a pickup makes a lot of sense in the backcountry…
Damn, I liked meandering through that area. One time I drove an old Jeep from the Hovenweep visitors center to Cortez on the backroad with a map from the visitor center showing a number of small structures along the way. Some years ago. All by myself.
Well done
Beautiful. I'm glad you hung out long enough to see the foal, and get that pic for us.