Bob Rodgrigues (who owns the property still familiar to some of you as “Jasper’s feeders”), sent this account of the changes to the flow of Cave Creek where it crosses his land, below the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon. In Bob’s words: “I could not … Continue readingPortal after Odile: Bob Rodrigues’ Story
Just a quick update: I don’t have time right now to do justice to the subject. Kevin Warner, the Douglas District Ranger, told a gathering (which filled the Portal Fire Station classroom) that walkers and cyclists can now enter Cave Creek Canyon. Most cars are … Continue readingCommunity Meeting with Forest Service
The Southwest Research Station finds itself in a difficult position, caught between the financial demands of its parent company, the American Museum of Natural History, and the US Forest Service, which is enforcing a road closure that will likely exclude the station’s workers and guests … Continue readingSWRS Survives the Flood, But Can It Survive the Road Closure?
Kevin Warner, the District Ranger for our district, plans to meet with the Portal community on Wednesday at 12:15 PM at the Portal Fire Station classroom. He has a short Powerpoint presentation, and then will answer questions from the community about the road closures and … Continue readingThe State of the Canyon Address on Wednesday
Cave Creek Canyon above the South Fork confluence (Photos by Narca) Yesterday Alan and I hiked into Cave Creek Canyon before the closure was due to go into effect. He went a couple of miles up, as far as Diana’s house, while I also hiked … Continue readingLast Day in Cave Creek Canyon
Yesterday while Alan and I walked one last time in the canyon before the Forest Service closes it indefinitely, illegals hit our home. I suspect that the door, swollen from the rains and hard to close, didn’t latch properly when we left, but at least … Continue readingLife in the Borderlands
On Monday, the Forest Service plans to institute a ‘hard’ closure of Cave Creek Canyon, meaning no entry by any means, including foot, except to canyon residents. The closure will most likely last for months. Thus, tomorrow is the last day when people can enter … Continue reading‘Hard’ Closure Coming to Cave Creek Canyon
The Forest Service has closed the road into Cave Creek Canyon indefinitely. In places the road has been seriously undermined, even washed away. Anyone needing to access the Southwest Research Station will have to approach from Paradise via East Turkey Creek, then turn left and … Continue readingPortal after Hurricane Odile, Part 2
For friends of Portal everywhere, the bottom line is that everyone is okay, after the remnants of Hurricane Odile targeted the Chiricahua Mountains and the sister villages of Portal, Arizona, and Rodeo, New Mexico. At our home, we received 5.29″ of rain over a four-day … Continue readingPortal After Storm Odile
A rich site like the San José del Cabo Estuary invites exploring, especially in the cool early morning hours. Besides the waterbirds and celebrated Belding’s Yellowthroats, many other species thrive in the riparian habitat. This must be the world epicenter for Hooded Orioles! A splendid … Continue readingCinnamon-rumped Seedeaters and Friends