California Condors at Navajo Bridge Photo by Rick Taylor
Alpine Arizona, Grand Canyon & Condors
August 14-20, 2017
After soaking up the avian riches of Southeastern Arizona at the Tucson Audubon Society birding festival, we'll have
four days in the high, cool White Mountains of Central Arizona. The White Mountains essentially comprise the
southernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains. Thanks to the comparatively close proximity of the White Mountains to
Tucson, we'll have chances for many birds that normally require a separate trip deeper into the Interior West of the United
States. Transiting from Tucson to Central Arizona we’ll cut through the interior chaparral metropolis for Arizona’s
population of breeding Gray Vireo. Species that most birders can't picture nesting in Arizona such as Osprey and Bald
Eagle, Downy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsuckers, Gray and Pinyon Jays,
Clark's Nutcracker, American Dipper, Gray Catbird, and Mountain Bluebird are all possible. We'll even peruse a few
areas where the elusive Dusky Grouse is known to occur. And, owing to the checkerboard of meadows and forest that
cloak the White Mountains, we'll have more and better opportunities for viewing species like Red-faced and
MacGillivray's Warblers. This avifauna thrives in the state’s premier Elk habitat, and sightings of these large and imperial
deer are probable. Here, too, are herds of Pronghorn, achieving speeds of up to 45 miles-per-hour, and earning the title of
the fastest land mammal in North America. A profusion of polychrome wildflowers are sure to ornament the banks of the
highland trout streams. Rounding out our northern Arizona experience, we’ll also bird the environs of the Grand Canyon.
Scenic overlooks and migrant traps will characterize the drive to Flagstaff along historic Route 66. A well-timed visit to
the Vermilion Cliffs or Marble Canyon–or both–should position us to catch lift-off for America’s largest raptor, the
magnificent California Condor. Once facing extinction with only 22 individuals, the population has inched upward to 230
wild, free-flying individuals, thanks to an ambitious captive breeding program. The American Birding Association even
recently announced that Condors could now be “counted” per ABA rules, and second generation Condors are again
breeding on remote cliffs within this colossal de facto wilderness. Though some may consider Condors the climax of any
Arizona trip, for others the awe-inspiring vistas from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will resonate long after our
return to Tucson.
Leaders: John Yerger
Cost of Alpine Arizona includes all meals, accommodations, transportation, entrance fees, and guide service beginning
and ending in Tucson, Arizona, and a $250 contribution to the Tucson Audubon Society............................................$2295.
BORDERLAND TOURS
2875 W. Hilltop Road
Portal, AZ 85632
Meeting Point: Riverpark Inn in Tucson at 6:00 a.m. The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival is hosted here, ending the
day prior to our trip. The hotel’s direct line is (800) 551-1466.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
6 a.m. Meet at the festival headquarters for orientation & breakfast
all day Scenic drive through Salt River Canyon and interior chaparral to White Mountains;
night in Eagar
a.m.
Sipe Wildlife Management Area, Nelson Reservoir
p.m.
Luna Lake picnic lunch; Terry Flat; night in Eagar
a.m.
South Fork Little Colorado River; Sheeps Crossing
p.m.
Greer; West Fork Little Colorado River; Butler Canyon Nature Trail; night in Eagar
a.m.
Sunrise Campground and Sunrise Lake
p.m.
Petrified Forest; night in Flagstaff
a.m.
Drive to Vermilion Cliffs for California Condor lift-off
p.m.
Sunset Crater; night in Flagstaff
all day Grand Canyon–South Rim; night in Flagstaff
a.m.
Flagstaff area birding, then drive south towards Tucson
p.m.
Return to Tucson
This itinerary is meant as a guide. Weather, wildlife, road, and birding conditions may cause changes.
Expanded Itinerary:
Day 1: Introductions and organizational meeting at the festival headquarters at 6 a.m. After this brief meet & greet over
breakfast, we’ll undertake a miniature road trip. Heading north from Tucson, we’ll begin winding through the saguarostudded foothills and cottonwood-lined valley of the Lower San Pedro River watershed. We’ll pass through the historic
mining town of Globe, pausing to take in stunning vistas where U.S. Hwy 60 plunges through the Salt River Canyon.
Finally we’ll climb through the pine forests surrounding Show Low, arriving in Eagar to find very different habitats
typical of the Rocky Mountains. Working through chaparral and into conifer forests interspersed with lakes and farm
fields, this biome will be unlike anything you’re likely to have seen in Southeast Arizona. Night in Eagar.
Days 2-3: Focused searching throughout the White Mountains may yield a number of Interior West and Rocky Mountain
breeding species: Dusky Grouse (very difficult), Three-toed Woodpecker, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker,
Pinyon Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Crow, American Dipper, Townsend’s Solitaire, Gray Catbird, Indigo Bunting,
and Green-tailed Towhee – to name a few. Contra expectations, we will experience cool weather here – previous trips
have arisen from warm hotel beds to the spectacle of new snow dusting the “balds,” alpine areas devoid of trees, on the
peaks above. Spreading like an apron from the 11,406’ high summit of the White Mountains are vast meadows and trout
lakes, immense stands of spruce and aspen, and the streams and marshes that comprise the headwaters of the Little
Colorado River. Sweeping vistas and picturesque landscapes are ever-present distractions. Nights in Eagar.
Day 4: After breakfast we’ll head pack up and head over to Sunrise Campground, a prime spot for any remaining White
Mountain objectives like Three-toed Woodpecker or Gray Jay–or better views if we’ve already swept up all of the
possibilities! Our next scheduled stop en route to Flagstaff is Petrified Forest National Park. This is primarily a
sightseeing destination, but Scaled Quail are occasionally spotted, and the habitat is superb for Gray Flycatcher, Rock
Wren, Sage Thrasher, and Sagebrush Sparrow. We’ll pass through the heart of the Painted Desert, a landscape that instills
in many travelers a deep appreciation for its stark and austere beauty. Night in Flagstaff.
Day 5: This morning will be spent surveying rich panoramas in pursuit of the California Condor. We’ll begin early to
ensure that we are in position at the best viewing areas before the birds take flight from their cliff-side roosts. Along the
way we may pause briefly at Cameron Trading Post, a locally well-known migrant trap. Navajo Bridge will be our first
opportunity for Condors. The highest steel arch bridge in the world at the time of its construction in 1929, it now serves
as a scenic overlook above Marble Canyon. It is also an excellent vantage point to scan the sheer cliff walls and opposing
bridge framework (a nearly identical but wider bridge supplanted the original in 1995) for the largest North American
land bird. Our main objective, however, will be the Vermilion Cliffs viewing area. For the California Condor, master of
air currents with a nearly 10-foot wingspan, the steeply eroded escarpments here make a perfect launching point for their
daily forays in search of carrion. The area is so ideal for these birds that it was selected as the first release site for
reintroducing Condors to Arizona. After our condor vigil, we’ll return to Flagstaff by way of Wupatki National
Monument, a prehistoric pueblo, and Sunset Crater, a volcano that erupted only 900 years ago. Night in Flagstaff.
Day 6: Our trip culminates with a visit to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. A polychrome chasm 227
miles long, over 6,000 feet deep, and 18 miles across at its widest point, the Grand Canyon defies comprehension. We
will exploit the lookouts lining the South Rim, each with its own distinct perspective, with abundant time for photography
and contemplation. With nearly two billion years of Earth’s geological history exposed, it’s amazing to think that the
Grand Canyon’s formation took place “only” 5 or 6 million years ago! If we’re still attempting to pay attention to birds,
we may discover Woodhouse’s Scrub- and Pinyon Jays, Juniper Titmouse, Virginia’s, MacGillivray’s, and Black-throated
Gray Warblers. Migrants could include Cassin’s Vireo, Hermit and Townsend’s Warblers. Assuming we can pry
ourselves away from the vistas, we may also make a quick foray to the upper elevations of Arizona’s highest peak,
Humphreys Peak. Although we will certainly not attempt the hike to the 12,637-foot summit, an easy drive to the Arizona
Snowbowl puts us back at a cool 9,200 feet above sea level, well into the range of Dusky Grouse, Band-tailed Pigeon,
Downy, Hairy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Dusky Flycatcher, Clark’s Nutcracker, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Cassin’s Finch, and Red Crossbill. Night in Flagstaff.
Day 7: On our final day, we’ll bid farewell to northern Arizona’s canyon country, embarking on our return journey to
Tucson via the Mogollon Rim. Naturally we'll enjoy the birding opportunities along the route. Common Black-Hawk and
Pacific Wren are both possibilities among the south-facing drainages flowing off the Rim. Gray Vireo, Juniper Titmouse,
and Black-chinned Sparrow are some of the inhabitants of Central Arizona’s largest tract of interior chaparral. By late
afternoon we should arrive in Tucson, where we’ll celebrate a wonderful trip and luxuriate with some rest time, before
participants begin the journey home. Trip ends late afternoon at the festival headquarters in Tucson.
General Information:
Trip Difficulty: Days will begin early in order to catch bird and wildlife activity at its peak. We will walk less than 1
mile on the average field trip, and the pace will be leisurely to moderate to permit observation and identification of birds,
plants, and flowers. Temperatures can range from over 100° at Tucson to 40° in the 9,000'-plus elevation White Mountain
meadows, but most of our birding will be conducted above 7,000', where daily extremes usually fall between 60 and 75
degrees. While this is the “monsoon” season in Arizona, the higher elevations at this time of year are still characterized
by moderate humidity that tends to make warm temperatures feel reasonably comfortable.
Equipment: Be sure to bring binoculars. Photographers should bring their cameras and extra digital memory or film.
Your leaders will provide a spotting scope, but you may bring your own if you are willing to carry it.
Luggage: Please limit luggage to one medium-sized duffel or soft-sided suitcase. Clothing should be informal and
suitable for the field. Articles to consider are a shorts, trousers, slacks or skirt, short and long-sleeved shirts, and a
lightweight jacket. A brimmed hat to ward off the summer sun is almost a necessity. Be sure to bring a toiletry kit and
any necessary medications. Other items to include are a small day pack or belt pack for field guides, camera, one quart
water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent (though biting insects are typically not a major nuisance here). While a
lightweight rain jacket or umbrella will probably not get used, it is prudent to pack one. We won’t deliberately bird in the
rain, but afternoon thunderstorms are a good possibility at this time of year.
Accommodations: Accommodation is in modern hotels with cable television, wifi internet access, etc. All rooms have
two beds and private baths. Our lodging has been selected for comfort, cleanliness, and proximity to birding destinations.
Single Supplement: Single rooms may be available at a supplemental charge equivalent to the difference between double
and single rooms. The single supplement for this trip is $395. If we are unable to place you with a roommate, you will be
charged a single supplement.
Meals: All meals are included beginning with lunch the first day through lunch on the final day. To minimize time spent
in restaurants, some meals may be pre-ordered by the leader. Dinner desserts and non-bottled beverages are included.
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are at the participant’s expense. Ordinarily our restaurants can accommodate
vegetarian and other special diets, as long as the participant is willing to be flexible about kinds of foods and variety.
References:
1) Birds of Southeastern Arizona by Richard Cachor Taylor. RW Morse Co. 2010. A photo field guide of the birds
covering all the regularly-occurring species in Arizona, as well as virtually all possible Mexican vagrants.
2) A standard North American field guide to the birds (David Sibley’s National Audubon guide, the National
Geographic Guide, & Kenn Kaufman’s Focus Guide are all recommended).
Further Information: Please write or call:
BORDERLAND TOURS
2875 W. Hilltop Road
Portal, Arizona 85632
Phone: (520) 558-2351
e-mail: [email protected]
Williamson’s Sapsucker by Rick Taylor
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