Navigation Logistics for 2022 ICR BioBlitz
Here are some resources for getting to the ranch for the 2022 BioBlitz and for getting around once there.
- Driving directions from Rocksprings to the hangar with pictures. We will also have some signs out showing the way.
- Same driving directions as in 1 but without pictures in case you want to print a short version.
- Guidance for figuring out where you are when on the ranch.
- Map of the ranch indicating for which tracts we have permission to wander.
- Map of the ranch indicating how rough the roads are. Green = good for all vehicles; Orange = quite rough or steep; Yellow = in between.
Comments
Great information, thank you!
Must print.
Sorry, maybe it's only me, but for the permission-to-wander ranch map (#4) I really couldn't tell the difference between the "permission to walk only" and the "access prohibited" shadings. Anyone else? Or perhaps all the darker ones are "access prohibited"?
Jack, there are only two that are "walk only", P7 T7 and P7 T8. At least as far as I can tell.
Aaahh, that may explain it. So what I really can't discern is the difference between two lighter colors! And to think I'm proposing to "observe" some things at Indian Creek. Could be in trouble...
🤣
Thanks for the feedback. I can try to update the map to be more clear. Only 2 tracts are observe and no collection, accurately identified by @annikaml. Phase 7, Tracts 7 & 8. Other than those 2, if it's white, you can collect specimens.
I have updated the map. Hopefully it is clearer now. We have about 2,500 acres available to explore.
Two questions:
About how long does it take to get to the hangar from Rock Springs?
I am not real clear on the concept of a "bump" gate...
@rymcdaniel, bumpgate is new to me also....but Youtube to the rescue. Looks like you just ram into it at high speed :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI1LLETtQY8
I plan on being there Friday evening through Sunday.
@pfau_tarleton That's what confused me. It looks like if the bump gate is closed, then I should continue forward until the mechanism opens the gate.... Are there two different kinds of being closed, one in which the bump mechanism works and one in which it does not? Hopefully, they will all be open as she said.
Reading the instructions, I don't think we're supposed to ram the gate (darn, I was looking forward to that!).
LOL, Russell!
Catching up on posts after spending all weekend in the field looking for bio around San Antonio.
Our bump gates are not as sophisticated as in the youtube video. Ours you would actually have to push up against the metal gate and if you don't have a grill guard, you would scrape the paint on your bumper. No bueno. The gates were open when I arrived yesterday evening and they haven't been closed in a long time. If they are, don't use it if you're not familiar with it. There is a side gate than can be opened and closed manually.
@bacchusrock Thanks for clearing that up.
BTW, can you estimate about how long it takes to get from Rock Springs to the hangar?
You're welcome. I thought someone had asking about driving time and couldn't remember where.
It takes about 30 minutes from Rocksprings to the hangar.
I anticipate arriving between noon and 1 pm on Friday. I don't anticipate any problems with gates, but if I'm not there by 1 pm something probably went wrong somewhere between the hangar and my house :)
I've got four places picked out that I'd like to explore...mainly north-facing slopes with less-dense junipers: The knob hill on Hebert's place, the downhill slope on the Trotter place, up the draw on the Rickard place, and the property line between Lanning and Stephen. I'm an "overplanner"...but that's my plan!
@bacchusrock Jo, your directions talk about a "contractors gate code". Is that still needed? Did I miss something?
@gcwarbler It's near the bottom of the event post, which I will link to rather than spreading the code all over the place.
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/bacchusrock/59386-bioblitz-at-indian-creek-ranch-may-6-8-2022
Thanks for details on where you are planning to explore. I wanted to explore Rickard / Trotter on Saturday morning and @kimberlietx may be joining me. I am hoping that at least one person spends some time on each property as a thank you to people giving us access. There is also one property owner who would like to be called prior to us walking his property.
Don't need to decide now, but I'll be collecting your choices during the weekend.
Yes, contractor gate code is still needed. I had posted the information on the main journal entry (https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/bacchusrock/59386-bioblitz-at-indian-creek-ranch-may-6-8-2022#new_comment), but here it is to make sure everyone sees it:
The gate code for the lock that has red tape on it (the contractor lock) is 1357 (there are about 4 locks on the gate). Please be careful when relocking the gate not to bypass any of the other locks.
So much for not spreading it @rymcdaniel. I didn't read far enough. We change the code every month and it will be changed after the BioBlitz so no worries if it is shared widely.
@bacchusrock Along those lines about which tracts to explore, maybe you could leave a sign in sheet at the hangar where people could indicate where they are planning on going or have been. That way if there is some tract that has not been visited by Sunday, then those can be prioritized. You could also write which tract needs to be called before visiting on a note there if you don't want to broadcast it here.
I hope to hit the Rickard and Trotter tracts Friday afternoon at some point and maybe McFarland and Barnes depending on when I get there. That's about all the planning I have done, and I am still not sure if I'll get there around noon or later in the day if I leave home on Friday.
I was thinking the same thing @rymcdaniel . I already have a list of tracts printed and ready to bring to the hangar so everyone can indicate which they are going to visit. I will share the information regarding the one landowner with those who plan to visit their property.
I am going to document EVERYTHING on the Green road. I'll be driving my little tiny car with super low clearance. But, every now and then, I may jump in the back of a truck that drives by. :)
Thanks for all of the logistical work in this @bacchusrock !
Glad to be able to coordinate this.
I can also point you to a great area from where you can park your car and walk a circuit through some diverse terrain with all kinds of exciting bio to find.
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