The AZ Bugbane is in all the West fork tributaries. All of them, even the “dud” canyons we explored had the Bugbane. They are easy to spot when they have a flower on them.
Here is a major reason these canyons are getting studied. First is the endangered plant second is the high use of these canyons now being completely out in the open, on the web, all beta available on multiple sites (including SAR routes, shortcut, bypass and others)
On the left is a photo from 2014, just before the fire…. You can see how the volume of people are effecting the flora:
On the right is a photo from 2005. In the photo from 2005 AZ bugbane is growing right here, flowering left of center. It grows through out the canyon. In places that are a little more open, still in the water course and hold dirt. But Apparently it does not like current conditions or it has been walked on, pulled up and used in a simulated rescue fire…..because it is missing in many of it’s prior spots:
Simulated Rescue fire impact, Plants used, Bugbane and ferns. This spot has always been full of Bugbane, we’ve photographed at least three mature plants here from 2005-RRtrainingFires:
Notice the lack of moss on the last rap in just 2 years? The pic on the left is from Nov 2013 and the on on the right was from just this month:
It’s not a huge issue, but you can see the change, and wear in many places in the canyon. Including on the “hole” rappell. Rope groves are appearing on either side of the “hole”.
The AZ Bugbane in Insomnia has been in all the upper sections, some of the middle narrows before the dark slot and has been in the little room before the final slot/big rap section. Upper first slot:
As Rich said ,whatever happens, we all are at fault “It’s death by a thousand cuts. This community needs to be more thoughtful about our impacts in these places if we want the right to continue to visit.”
-Sara
Canyoncrazy
Nah, I was NOT offended, Zul, Just wanted to make sure you didn’t think I wanted the canyon closed.
I apologize if I am a little touchy on such implications, We’ve been accused of that before by others whom posted the beta everywhere just out of spite.
It’s not just Illusions or Insomnia that may be affected when the Az Bugbane & human impact study is concluded. The whole area may be. Upper West Fork, all it’s tributaries have had Bugbane growing with in sections of each. I also have photos of Bugbane in some of the canyons that do not drain into West Fork, like in Sunburst, possibly VooDoo, and wall to wall Az Bugbane in a few of the exit canyons we looked into for loops out of the Sunburst/Voodoo canyons. Illusions just happens to be one of the canyons that is seeing the most visitation.
When we installed a register system, (as with any trail register) a group may or may not sign in. We had a rough idea of the amount of visitors each canyon was seeing prior to it being leaked online, to post on-line multiple postings, free access to it’s beta. But unless the FS installed a counter or game camera (as they have done on every Prescott trail, Granite Mtn trails and at the Sycamore canyon trail heads,) we won’t ever know exactly how many people are actually visiting the canyons every year.
The problem comes when we, as a entity, start placing limits on what people can and can not do.
You will always have the people with the “FU. Who are you to tell ME what to do?!”
We as individuals have zero authority, aside form a collective want to keep the canyon pristine. This is when, for better or for worse you need a government agency to step in.
At least when there are rules in place that they set, actions can be taken when said rules are broken. Yes, sadly a permit system may be needed to limit the amount of people per year. Giving the canyon a chance to recover would be even better.
Closures don’t work. People still went through Illusions when the forest was closed for the season and right after the fire when the ground was still smoldering. The FS is well aware of those violations. Plus they don’t want to close that area. It would cause many problems not to just the canyoning community but for the hunters as well.
No New-Bee’s or speed raps are at the discretion of the trip leader or the people who chose to rappell that way. I don’t mind new-bee’s in Illusions, they are not always the ones causing the issues. How many new-bee’s carry a bolt kit? I’d say the new bolts were installed by a non-new be.
Plus people often misjudge their own skill level, a major reason for someone needing to be rescued. They count every trip down the Jug as a canyonnering trip and then go do Heaps! When the canyon is full It is fairly easy. But you never know with Illusions (partly how it got it’s name).
We have seen it totally low in wet years, or the whole canyon was totally full and the last pothole 6′ low (with a baby bear & two dead squirrels rotting within…yummmm). We have been there when the beginning was dry, the middle of the canyon was low and the last pools including the last pothole were full. It’s never a guarantee that an anchor has not blown out with the natural ones that are currently in use- but these are all true of many canyons.
The internet is a grand place to share information, misinformation, gossip, news and such. Many people (crazy as it sounds) don’t use social media. We Don’t have one. It’s a great Idea, but You can only reach people to a point. In today’s ‘me, me, ME first!!’ culture it’s a bit harder to impact other people’s canyon-ethics. “Who are you to judge my morals?”
Just ask Tom about Bolts. Or anyone. They all have their strong views on what they feel is the correct way.
One person sees sliding down moss as damaging another sees it as no big deal, it will grow back.
The next problem comes form the canyon’s reputation.
I can not even begin to count how many times I have over heard people in Flagstaff out door stores, or once in the Beaver St Grill, in Prescott’s hiking shack, people talking about this badass canyon called Illusions. Most of theses people have very little information, heard about it from a friend of a friend. The all appeared to be people with little or no canyoneering experience just from what I could hear.
It’s a multi-faceted issue.
Hopefully It will come to a reasonable conclusion…. And Stay safe!! NO More Rescues!!!!
-Sara
zul
First, a big Thank You to Sara, Joe, Todd and the others for their hard work and passion. Respected Pioneers.
My post was not meant to upset anyone and not directed at any person. I hope that no one was offended.
When I see any busted vegetation or rope groves, it hurts me too. Deeply. How can we ( every canyoneering person) protect and save damage from happening? It’s pretty clear, if canyon participants can’t do a better job: Illusions Canyon will be closed. Is there anything that we can do to avoid closure??? Permit system: Ughh, please no.
What can we do to help in maintaining a pristine Illusions Canyon? Some steps are simple: No Noobs. No speed raps (LAME!). Educate everyone in your group on ethics (vegetation, too much hardware on the rack, etc) BEFORE descending. Can these online forums and facebook groups be more productive and helpful?? I’ll bet that there are loads of people that would love to join in the stewardship for a pristine Illusions Canyon. Which online location is the best place for this group/community to form and voice … specifically for the health and success of West Fork tributes?
I’ll be meeting with Coco Nat Forest / RRRD people this week to express some of my concerns and ideas on ethics and better practices.
Increased useage is showing up ugly, as is the ash and fire damage. Sad to see with each descent. Illusions Canyon deserves better. I also believe that Illusions Canyon should be open. Mantra: What can we do to help?
Mike Zampino
Zul you make some great points. I will be bringing up this topic at my first CAC meeting in a few weeks. If you want to help PM me your contact info. From what I understand, the CAC wants help from the canyoneering community. For one, I beleive being on public lands that these canyons are here for our enjoyment and entertainment. However, we all need to learn how to enjoy these places with as little impact as possible. It would be much better for our community as a whole to somehow self-regulate access/impacts because once the land managers get involved we all know the simple solution is for them to just close them and prevent access. Any ideas on how we can achieve that are welcome.
As far as who belongs in these canyons I think depends on the individuals. I know several beginner canyoneers who know how to tread lightly and have minimal impact. I am sure there are also very experienced canyoneers that could care less and only want anther notch on their belt in an attempt to show how bad a$$ they are. That being said, Sara is right about the canyon (and others in the area) being in easy mode for some time now. It’s just a matter of time before some of those potholes become keepers again. Please beware!!
Canyoncrazy
Ok Bootboy, I’ll agree to that, lol
Bootboy
Sara,
I don’t think you are being accused of proposing that everyone be kicked out of out the canyons. I think Zul is speaking hypothetically about the land managers’ potential decision to close or severely restrict access.
zul
These canyons will produce moss after the monsoon rains. To compare photos like this does not tell the story of impact. If a study were to be completed, you would need to compare the month/date and cross that information with rainfall data, humidity, ect. Post fire floods: The ash filled floods have made major change to vegetation and canyon watercourse. No doubt, inexperienced canyoneers and irresponsible groups have made an impact but let’s not kick everyone out of these canyons. When I lead any of these canyons I am certain to educate the people in my group to not scrub the moss … “No moose tracks”. Can we all do a better job as leaders and spread the word in that less impact is essential, not only in Illusions but in all canyons?!?
Canyoncrazy
When did I say we should keep everyone out of these canyons??
Yes a study is being conducted.
This Canyon IS NOT FOR INEXPERIENCED Canyoneers, PERIOD. So far the canyon has been full, One day It will be low and the MANY keeper potholes will prove to be too much for an Inexperienced canyoneering group. I totally respect the fact, Everyone starts as a beginner, but it is becoming the norm that this is the “Must do canyon”. So people with and without training are going down those canyons. it is a matter of time until one of those potholes are low, or someone tumbles over the bigger drops due to slippery conditions, or improper footwear.
In 2013, while on a trip with the head of the SAR, we caught up to a group of 2 with zero beta, leaking dry suits and were asking advice on what to do if the last keeper was low. Needless to say, we asked them to join us on the remainder of our decent.
Yes, Myself, Todd, Rich, Ram and my Husband all wanted to keep the canyons on the down-low, hence why we did not include them in the book. It is also why we installed the canyon registers- to inform people of the dangers, to TRY and prevent a rescue, to educate on moss rappelling as well as please don’t tread on the Bugbane or install anymore bolts.
Should we be chastised for trying to keep the impact down, rescues minimal and the plants undisturbed??
Even with the registers, people dismissed the information- one party, went down the canyon with out wetsuits and became hypothermic during their trip. Another, armed with only a 200′ rope was convinced he could find a spot to re-belay on the 315′ rap in Insomnia- installing a bolt as well. Despite what they chose to do, at least they had the opportunity to make educated decisions according to the information we had provided for them.
Yes I can use these photos form the first explorations to current conditions (pre fire or post) as an comparison to the impact of low volume of visitation vs extremely high number of visitation. It’s especially easy to justify this when you can see foot prints, butt slides, shoe scuffs and other impacts on the moss. I did pull photos from similar times of year. The Before photos are in the start of the monsoons as are the after photos. just FYI. For every group that claims to be responsible there are many more who believe it is their Right to enjoy these canyons.
Yes, the moss gets dry and is easy damaged during the dry seasons, after monsoons it is lush and a bit more hardy.
For every one like you whom leads groups and teaches “No moss (moose) tracks” there are countless groups that are going through those canyons for pure entertainment, excitement, thrill seekers on their own personal adventures. Preservation or low impact is last thing on their minds.
I have many photos form the early trips that illustrate the problems with a high use in these canyons. Yes the forest fire had a huge impact on the canyon, however people IN the canyons are having a huge impact as well.
The bugbane and ferns used in the RTR fire had not recovered prior to the fire that hit the rim above. Now it will be interesting to see how long it will take for those plants to re populate. Mind you, they had survived in those locations form 2005 until 2013- growing in the flood course of the canyon floor.
I have a hard time believing after 9 years of them being noted in the same locations that suddenly they just vanished in a flood. Form 2005-2009 the moss is relatively lush but shows signs of impact in some locations. From 2010-now the change is even more drastic. Floods or monsoons are not the culprit. Bolts appearing in the canyon are also not a result of floods or higher humidity….. Rope groves neither. These all are human impacts.
You tell me? IS this a responsible way to negotiate a knee deep to belly button deep pool in a canyon that is very wet from before this point on? This person is wearing a shorty, not my first choice for either of the I^ canyons, but it was his. IS The moss on that wall is being unnecessary impacted, yes? no?
To get to his point he had already waded in a pool that can be low: knee-deep or thigh to possibly waist deep pool under a rappell. Shortly after this wall-walk the canyon deepens, this young man will be swimming through many pools.
Just so you are aware, that plant in the back ground is AZ Bugbane, wall to wall AZ Bugbane. The date of this trip report is 2008. Lower impact period for the canyon. That section of AZ Bugbane has been photographed at that location until RTR used “green plants” to make the smoke of their “rescue” fire…. that last trip, post RTR fire, we were in Illusions 5 days post-RTR-fires. It was clear most of the plants in that section had been pulled up. Their empty root holes could still be seen.
The question I have for you is: What would that moss on the wall look like with higher impact in the canyon if that was the “normal” way to traverse that pool? Are the missing plants part of the natural process of the canyon? EVEN as leaders, with out some sort of GVN management plan, how can we reach the new-bees, or change the attitudes of the people who feel the canyons are here for their entertainment??? As leaders, I know canyoneers who we tried to influence and they remain unchanged. They are still of the “party now” attitude and don’t care who or what they damage.
Just Food for thought.
-Sara
Bootboy
Not saying that the traffic hasn’t had an impact, but I wonder if at least some changes are season to season and/or can be attributed to major flood events or the fire. Like moss missing from walls that rappellers wouldn’t likely touch, as in picture number 2 from the last post. There is no way canyoneers scrubbed all that moss off.
It does appear that these canyons are getting loved to death even so, which is sad.
… And people wonder why some choose to withhold beta, case in point.
Ram
Yup!! Yup! Yup!!!
I encouraged Joe and Sara to post the info here because it was coming out elsewhere at the same time. As the pioneers of the canyon, as well as loving stewards, I hoped that they could set a tone for how the canyon would be treated as it became public. I am glad they have input and the large voice. We should listen. Thanks guys.
Canyoncrazy
Yes It will effect all of the canyons in West Fork. However, I do have photos of Az Bugbane in Voodoo & Sunburst also, So they may also be included IF and When the USFS concludes their study.
Yea…. I have many before & after photos. Jay W, takes great photos and has the most recent trip. Joe, Todd and I have the First exploration photos. I started putting them side by side…. The impact is very clear:
The first Rap in 2005 vs 2014
2005 mossy hallway vs 2015
2008 mossy wall-rap in dark narrows (you can even see a rope impact on the wall) vs No moss in 2015
Or some of the new bolts:
Joe with the “are you F’ing Kidding?!?!” me look on hos face. New bolts and China chain installed sometime in 2013. The bolts were lose, and it was a short drop with lots of logs to anchor off of. This was one of many new bolts in the canyon.
Bolts at a downclimb with baby rope-groves appearing.
I can only imagine what places like Zion use to look like before canyoneering exploded.
Hopefully they will be able to come to a reasonable conclusion to protect or manage the canyon. Keeping the flora safe, reaching a compromise that does not just simply close the canyon to everyone. It is a special place and should be enjoyed. But not loved to death, devoid of any plant life, polished clean by sliding bodies, flourishing bolt-gardens and rope-eating grove monsters.
-Sara
Stevee B
Very sad. I’m very sorry about this loss.
Jolly Green
Sara, thanks for the great info. The before and afters are intriguing. What a great reminder of the importance of treading lightly. I would assume from your comments that any conclusions rendered from this study would affect both I canyons if not the entire area. Thanks for sharing your unique insight into these canyons.