DEEP CANYON TRANSECT · Web viewThere is a large mesquite-topped sand dune immediately northeast of the post. The dominant vegetation on the flat portion of the transect includes

DEEP CANYON TRANSECT

PHILIP L. BOYD DEEP CANYON DESERT RESEARCH CENTER

University of California

Natural Reserve System

LINE TRANSECTS AND PHOTO SITES ON THE DEEP CANYON TRANSECT

WILBUR W. MAYHEW

1981

Edited by Mark Fisher and Allan Muth 2015

[We retained most of Mayhew’s text but updated location and lengths using GPS]

THE DEEP CANYON TRANSECT

Lists of vertebrate animals that have been observed on the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center have been maintained since the inception of the Center in 1959. In addition, records have been kept almost as long on all vertebrates seen from the northern slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains out onto the floor of the Coachella Valley. In 1968 Mark Ryan, in his book entitled Mammals of Deep Canyon, first applied the term ''Deep Canyon Transect'' to this elongated study area. George and Jeanette Wheeler (Ants of Deep Canyon, 1973), Irwin Ting and Bill Jennings (Deep Canyon, A Desert Wilderness for Science, 1976), Jan Zabriskie (Plants of Deep Canyon, 1979), Wesley W. Weathers (Birds of Southern California’s Deep Canyon, 1983) followed this terminology in each of their publications. However, each group used slightly different boundaries for the transect.

It became obvious that standardization of the boundary was necessary to compare properly the results from different observers. Consequently, in 1979 I established permanent boundaries for the Deep Canyon Transect.

It is hoped that all future investigators who utilize this location will use these boundaries in their reports.

The northern and southern boundaries of this Deep Canyon Transect have been selected to include relatively undisturbed portions of all the major habitat types that occur in this part of southern California. The eastern and western boundaries include natural features that will not lose their identities despite human activity on their surfaces. Thus, the Deep Canyon Transect consists of a rectangle 21 miles (34 kilometers) long by 12 miles (19 kilometers) wide that contains the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center. The southern boundary includes the summits of Santa Rosa and Toro Peaks. The Transect continues in a northeasterly direction, with the eastern boundary passing along the east side of Martinez Mountain. The western boundary lies slightly west of Asbestos and Haystack Mountains. The northern boundary is approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) northeast of Interstate Highway 10, roughly paralleling the power transmission corridor that crosses Washington Street near Ramon Road. Elevations on the Transect range from 30 feet (9 meters) to 8,716 feet (2,657 meters).

Note: The boundaries of the Deep Canyon Transect as described by Mayhew reflect only a rough outline of lands surrounding the drainage of Deep Canyon. It includes land not owned by the University of California. Delineation of The Deep Canyon Transect in no way provides permission to enter those lands. Permission to enter and conduct research must be granted by the pertinent property owner.

Deep Canyon Transect corner coordinates. These corners are not marked on the ground.

Corner

Lat., Long. UTM

Bearing

SW

33.654152°, -116.395002°

3,711,417 m, 544,170 m

SW to NW = 15

NW

33.658389°, -116.391714°

3,744,024 m , 552,586 m

NW to NE = 105

NE

33.656362°, -116.388820°

3,739,127 m, 571,201 m

NE to SE = 195

SE

33.652783°, -116.391740°

3,706,677 m, 562,529 m

SE to SW = 285

LINE TRANSECTS

Thirty-one line (belt, strip) transects and one rectangular study plot have been established permanently within the Deep Canyon Transect (Map 1). Although these study plots have been used primarily to monitor vertebrate populations, I hope that other investigators will utilize these locations, when possible, for their research projects. Obviously, each type of investigation requires a different amount of surface area. However, portions of these identified sites can be used for many types of research. For example, some of these plots currently are being used simultaneously by investigators examining birds and reptiles, as well as by some population biologists that are studying fruit flies (Drosophila sp.). Field data obtained from plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates are more meaningful if the observations for all are made on the same sites.

In this edition we’ve retained Mayhew’s 1981 descriptions of the transect markings and locations for historical purposes, but we have updated the end-point coordinates and the lengths of the transects.

These line transects vary somewhat in length, depending on the location. All but the rectangular study plot (Transect 31) are 50 meters wide.

Some transects are marked at the beginning and end by an orange plastic stake in the ground. The top of each stake at the ends of the transect will be marked with a black “Λ”, which points in the direction of the transect.

The number of the transect is marked in black on two sides of the stake near the top. If major changes in the direction of the transect occur along its route, another orange stake will be in the ground at that point. This stake will have the transect number on the side as described above. In addition, there will be two black notches on the top of the stake. These will indicate the directions the transect takes from that point. There may be several such directional markers along a single transect. If so, these will be numbered in sequence on the stake below the transect number.

The ends of some transects are marked by a black number painted on a rock or a post, with a black arrow near the number to indicate the direction of the transect. Sometimes directional changes in a transect will be indicated by black arrows on a rock beside a transect number.

In this edition the coordinates for the end points of each transect were obtained at sub-meter accuracy using GPS. These positions are given in degrees latitude/longitude (meters UTM). With these positions are listed the compass bearings the transect follows from these endpoints. Two bearings are given for midpoints (midpoints are locations on some transects where overall direction changes) to facilitate following the transect from either direction. Transect lengths, areas, and elevations have been corrected from Mayhew’s original version after mapping with the higher accuracy GPS methods.

Transect 1

Location – Sections 9, 16, 17: T6S, R6E

Length – 2,840 meters

Area – 13.8 hectares

Elevations – 700 to 950 feet (212 to 290 meters)

Habitat – Rocky creosote bush scrub

North end – 33.670666 (3,725,817 m), -116.372985 (558,126 m), bearing 190

South end – 33.648011 (3,723,301 m), -116.37624 (557,839 m), bearing 350

The orange stake on the north end of the transect is just east of the paved road and just inside the north fence by the main gate. The transect follows the paved road (old alignment) to the northwest corner of the Tevis Education Center where another orange stake marks the terminus of the transect.

The entire transect is located in the middle of a broad rocky alluvial fan. Dominant plants include creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), burro bush (Ambrosia dumosa), chuckwalla's delight or sweet bush (Bebbia juncea), cheese bush (Ambrosia salsola) and several species of cacti. There also are a few scattered palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) and smoke trees (Psorothamnus spinosus).

Transect 1A

Location – Section 9: T6S, R6E







This transect is approximately the northern one-half of Transect 1. The northern end is marked by the orange stake beside the gate that also indicates Transect 1. The southern end is marked by an orange stake with two arrows on the top: (< ^). The number 1A is marked on the north side of the stake beneath the arrow pointing to the north. (The number 1B is marked on the west side of the same stake below the arrow pointing in that direction.) This stake is located beside the paved road at the east end of the S-turn in the road where it crosses a stream-bed. The northern end is located beside the main entrance gate.

Transect 1B








This transect is approximately the southern one-half of Transect 1. The northern end is marked by the orange stake described for the southern end of Transect IA. The transect follows the paved road to the orange stake at the northwest corner of the Tevis Education Center.

Transect 2


Length – 904 meters



Habitat – Desert wash


Midpoint – 33.668658 (3,725,599 m), -116.365768 (558,797 m), bearing 286, 20


This transect begins in Rubble Canyon near the boundary fence between sections 4 and 9.

This is immediately east of the campground on section 9. The orange stake marking the northern end of the transect is about 10 m south of the trail that parallels the fence.

The transect follows the bottom of Rubble Wash south for approximately 200 meters until the wash branches in two directions. The transect follows the right fork (215°). There is an orange stake (with 2 on the side) on the south bank of this fork (midpoint). The notches on top of the stake point in the directions to be taken.

The transect follows this wash until it passes the western end of a rocky ridge (Coyote Point) that projects northwest from Red-tail Peak. Here an orange stake marks the southern end of the transect. The stake is located on the south side of the wash beneath a creosote bush about 1.5 meters above the bottom of the wash. The slopes on both sides of the wash are quite rocky.

The transect contains numerous palo verde, especially at the northern end. The wash narrows toward the southern end, where creosote bush, desert lavender (Condea emoryi), chuparosa (Justicia californica), and catclaw (Senegalia greggii) are the dominant perennials.

The transect curves to the west (right) so much that the southern end is nearly due south of the student campground.

Transect 3

Location – Sections 9, 10: T6S, R6E





Northwest end – 33.670613 (3,725,817 m), -116.362571 (559,092 m), bearing 144

Southeast end – 33.666355 (3,725,349 m), -116.356519 (559,656 m), bearing 295

This transect follows Quail Canyon, the last major wash west of Indio Canyon.

Indio Canyon is the very large wash at the eastern edge of Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center on sections 9 and 10. The orange stake at the northwestern end of the transect is located 8 meters south of the fence and at the west edge of Quail Canyon. The orange stake at the southeastern end of the transect is located beside a rather large pile of rocks on a bank above the northeastern side of the wash.

This transect follows the wash, which contains many palo verde and smoke trees near the northwestern end, but more of the smaller plants (i.e. desert lavender) nearer the southeastern end.

Transect 4




Elevations – 2,713 to 2,736 feet (822 to 829 meters)

Habitat – Yucca-galleta grass

Southwest end – 33.636785 (3,722,045 m), -116.402864 (555,378 m), bearing 60

Northeast end – 33.640182 (3,722,424 m), -116.3975 (555,873 m), bearing 180

This transect begins just inside the gate on Agave Hill (“Lucky'' on topographic maps).

An orange stake just south of the gate marks the west end of the transect. The transect then follows the road to its end on the bluff overlooking Deep Canyon where another orange stake is located.

This transect traverses rather barren, rocky terrain that is dominated by agave (Agave deserti), ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Mojave yucca, (Yucca schidigera), galleta grass (Hilaria rigida), and several species of cacti.

Transect 5






West end – 33.630831 (3,721,385 m), -116.402405 (555,425 m), bearing 95

East end – 33.631884 (3,721,503 m), -116.399277 (555,714 m), bearing 250

This transect begins at the gate on Lookout Hill (hill immediately south of Agave Hill).

It is marked by a number painted on the north support pole of the gate. The transect then follows the road to the rock outcrop on which photo site #7 is located (244 meters from the gate). Then the transect is located across open terrain (compass bearing from rock pile: 70°) to a dark, rocky knoll overlooking Deep Canyon. This is approximately 116 meters to the east of photo site #7. The east end is marked by an orange stake in a small cove at the rocky knoll.

This transect traverses rather bare, rocky ground that is dominated by the same plant species as Transect 4 (agave, ocotillo, Mojave yucca, galleta grass, cacti).

Transect 6








This transect is located on the eastern half of Section 4.

The southern end begins at the boundary fence between Sections 4 and 9 in Rubble Canyon, about 10 meters north of the northern end of Transect 2. The southern end of the transect is marked on one of the fence posts (for a barbed wire fence). The number 6 is painted in black on the east and west sides of the post near the top. Each number has a black arrow painted above it, indicating the direction of the transect. In addition, approximately 0.5 meter of the center portion of the post is painted black (between 3 strands of barbed wire).

The northern end of the transect is marked with black paint on a rock at the base of a hill that projects nearly to Ironwood Country Club's south golf course (near the 14th tee). The number 6 is painted in black on a flat shelf of rock about 0.5 meter above the wash bottom. A black arrow is painted beside the number. A black vertical line is painted on the rock face below the ledge with the number on it.

The entire transect follows the desert wash of Rubble Canyon, which contains many palo verde, as well as some smoke trees, catclaw, desert lavender, etc.

Transect 7




Elevations – 933 to 1,158 feet (283 to 351 meters)




This transect follows the jeep road to Coyote Canyon.

The west end of the transect is marked by an orange stake where the jeep road leaves the paved road approximately 200 meters north of the laboratory on Section 17. Approximately 350 meters along this jeep road there is a fork that traverses Sheep Canyon Wash and a fork to Coyote Canyon. The transect follows the right fork to Coyote Canyon. Approximately 1600 meters from the paved road the northern and southern branches of the Coyote Canyon jeep road terminates at a narrow dry fall (Coyote Hole). The east end of the transect is located approximately 900 meters east of Coyote Hole in the bottom of Coyote Canyon. The east end is marked by an orange stake beside a rather large boulder in the bottom of the canyon.

There are many palo verde toward the western end of the transects but the eastern 390 meters is in a rather barren, narrow rocky canyon.

Transect 8








The transect follows the northern branch of Coyote Wash.

The southeastern end is located where Coyote Wash diverges from the jeep road. It is marked by an aluminum stake about 1 meter tall with a ‘7’ and an arrow painted in black. The transect follows this branch of Coyote Wash to the northwest until it reaches the paved road on Section 9. This northern end of the transect is marked by an orange stake beside a rock near a palo verde that is located about 5 meters south of the pavement. The paved road makes an S-turn to the west across a wash at this point.

The transect wash is dominated by palo verde, catclaw, desert lavender, chuparosa, and smoke trees.

Transect 9




Creosote bush scrub 1.0 hectare

Desert wash 4.1 hectares

Elevations 838 to 883 feet (254 to 267 meters)

Habitats – Rocky creosote bush scrub, Desert wash



The east end of this transect is located just west of a palo verde that is growing at the west end of the S-turn on the paved road. It is marked by an orange stake beneath the west edge of the palo verde. The transect extends west across Deep Canyon Wash to the mouth of Fire Canyon, where it bends slightly to the west (new compass bearing: 265°). Then the transect proceeds up Fire Canyon to where the canyon branches. The orange stake marking the west end of the transect is located on a slight knoll south of the canyon bottom.

This transect crosses a rocky alluvial fan for approximately 115 meters before reaching Deep Canyon Wash. At this point Deep Canyon Wash is approximately 145 meters wide, and is crossed between Bucket 139 (east side) and Bucket 136 (west side). The transect then crosses some additional alluvial fan before it proceeds up Fire Canyon (which is quite rocky toward the western end).

Typical creosote bush scrub plants (i.e., creosote bush, burro bush, several cacti) dominate the alluvial fan portion of the transect. Deep Canyon Wash and the first portion of Fire Canyon contain palo verde, catclaw, and desert lavender. Some ocotillo begin to appear near the western end of the transect.

Transect 10








This transect follows the bottom of Sheep Wash.

The southern end is identified by an orange stake beside the sign that indicates directions to Sheep Wash and Coyote Wash (Transect 7 follows Coyote Wash at this point).

The northern end is marked by an orange stake beside the sign that indicates directions to Sheep Wash and Coyote Wash at this end.

Most of Sheep Wash is a fairly broad sandy wash through a rocky alluvial fan. It contains palo verde, catclaw, smoke trees, desert lavender, and chuparosa.

Transect 11








This transect follows the jeep road into the mouth of Deep Canyon from the paved road (near the laboratory).

The northeastern end is marked by an orange stake at the southwest corner of the intersection of the jeep road and the old alignment of the paved road (now visitor parking). The transect crosses a rocky alluvial fan just south and beside the channel for Deep Canyon Creek.

The southwestern end is marked by an orange stake beside a pile of rocks on the western (right) edge of the road. The transect stops approximately 160 meters short of the end of the jeep road, which ends near the mouth of the gorge.

Some of the dominant plants along this transect include several species of cacti, creosote bush, brittle bush (Encelia farinosa), and ocotillo.

Transect 12




Elevation – 4,200 feet (1,280 meters)

Habitat – Pinyon-juniper woodland

West end – 33.61250 (3,719,323 m), -116.46034 (550,062 m)

East end – 33.61239 (3,719,315 m), -116.45188 (550,847 m)

This transect follows the road that parallels the northern boundary of section 34 (at Pinyon Flat).

The transect begins at the Forest Service boundary marker (south of the entrance road) at the northwestern corner of the section. The transect proceeds east to a point approximately 8 meters northeast of the small building that is located at the eastern end of the east-west strain-meter for the University of California (San Diego) Green Pinyon Flat Geophysical Laboratory. High levels of disturbance preclude permanently marking precise end points.

The dominant vegetation consists of one-needle pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla), California juniper (Juniperus californica), nolina (Nolina parryi), scrub oak (Quercus cornelius-mulleri), and sugar bush (Rhus ovata).

Transect 13




Elevations 4,243 to 4,360 feet (1,286 to 1,321 meters)




This transect follows an old dirt road that crosses section 34 from east to west.

The eastern end is marked by a black number painted on top of a low rock 6 meters east of the power line road at the eastern boundary of the section. A black arrow points the direction of the transect. A telephone microwave repeater station is located approximately 50 meters north of this end of the transect. Approximately 100 meters west of the eastern end of the transect the road forks. The transect follows the left fork.

The western end of the transect terminates at the eastern end of Transect 14. This end of Transect 13 is marked by an orange stake next to the northern edge of the road. A “13” is etched on the stake with an arrow pointing in the direction of the transect.

The dominant plants include one-needle pinyon pine, California juniper, nolina, and sugar bush.

Transect 14




Elevations – 4,108 to 4,243 feet (1,245 to 1,286 meters)




The eastern end this transect begins at the western terminus of Transect 13.

This transect continues to the west along the same dirt road. A number “14” is etched on the same orange stake that separates Transects 13 and 14. An arrow points the direction Transect 14 takes from this location.

The western end is at the eastern boundary of the private land on section 33. This point is approximately 85 meters east of Jeraboa Road.

The vegetation consists of typical pinyon-juniper woodland species indicated previously.

Transect 15








This transect follows the power line road near the eastern boundary of Section 34.

The southern end of the transect is located at the junction of Pinesmoke Road and Stonecrest Drive. This end is marked by a black “15” and arrow painted on the power pole east of this intersection (pole number GT9876).

The northern end of the transect is at the first power pole south of the telephone microwave repeater station on section 34 (pole number 2226, A.E. Co-op). Both numbers are approximately one meter above the ground.

This transect occurs in typical pinyon-juniper woodland discussed previously.

Transect 16






North end – 33.61244 (3,719,316 m), -116.46025 (550,070 m)

South end – 33.60568 (3,718,566 m), -116.46028 (550,071 m)

This transect follows the road that parallels the north-south strain meter for the University of California (San Diego) Green Pinyon Flat Geophysical Laboratory on section 34.

The north end is located at the north end of the north-south road. The transect proceeds south beside the west boundary of the section.

The southern end terminates on the road at the south end of the strain meter. High levels of disturbance preclude permanently marking precise end points.

This transect is located in typical pinyon-juniper woodland.

Transect 17






Compass bearings – 174°, 354°



This transect follows the paved road that goes to the Deep Canyon Laboratory.

The north end begins at the entrance gate to the research center. It is marked by an orange stake immediately west of the gate.

The southern end is marked by an orange stake on the west side of the road beside the 1.0 road marker. This route is on a rocky alluvial fan that roughly parallels Deep Canyon Wash, which lies immediately to the west.

The dominant vegetation consists of creosote bush, burro bush, cheese bush, chuckwalla's delight, and several species of cacti. A few palo verde also occur along the route.

Transect 18








This transect is located in Deep Canyon Wash.

The north end is at the research center boundary fence (on northern boundary). It cannot be permanently marked because of periodic floods in the wash. It begins about 20 meters west of the end of the chainlink boundary fence. The transect goes south past the tip of Gecko Point toward a small knob on the top of Sheep Mountain. The transect crosses several of the channels of Deep Canyon Wash. At times it follows the barren bottom of the wash, at other times it passes through fairly dense vegetation, including smoke tree, and cheese bush.

The southern end is marked in black paint on a large rock atop a pile of boulders. The rock is roughly triangular in shape. The number “18” is painted on two sides (east and west). A black arrow is painted below the “18” on the west side of the rock. This rock pile is above the major channels on each side of it. This end is almost directly west (245°) of, and 250 meters from, the southern terminus of Transect 17.

Transect 19




Elevations – 3,211 to 3,490 feet (973 to 1,057 meters)


Southwest end – 33.609079 (3,718.964 m), -116.419746 (553,830 m), bearing 62



This transect is in an ecotonal region between yucca-galleta grass and pinyon-juniper woodland habitats, but is primarily yucca-galleta grass.

The southwestern end is marked by a rock containing a black “19” painted on its top, and a black arrow beneath the number. The rock is nearly flush with the ground and is about 3 meters east of the eastern edge of Carizzo Road on the southeast side of a small California juniper. There is a black asphalt storm drain immediately south of the rock (2nd storm drain from Highway 74). The highway is 72 meters south of the transect.

The transect passes through a saddle on a hill, then crosses Highway 74 at an automobile pull-off on the east side of the highway. Approximately in the middle of this pull-off and atop the road berm is a rather large rock. A black “19” is painted on top of the rock with a black arrow on each side, pointing the directions of the transect. From here, the transect proceeds in approximately the same direction as before down a rock wash to a sandy wash.

The northeastern end terminates at a small rock outcrop with a yucca cluster and a goat nut (Simmondsia chinensis) growing beside it. A black “19” and arrow are painted on top of a rock of this outcrop and an orange stake lies on its southwest side. There are two larger rock outcrops further to the northeast (60°) approximately 50 meters and 100 meters away (the latter with two junipers). The length of the transect does not include the portion of Highway 74 that is crossed.

Transect 20





Habitat – Riparian

Compass bearings – 235°, 55°



This transect is located in the gorge of Deep Canyon.

The northern end is marked by an orange stake beside the remnant of Bucket 56 (about 5 meters above the streambed).

The southern end is marked by an orange stake on the southern bank of the streambed between Bucket 24 and a fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) in the canyon bottom (10 meters SE [120°] from Bucket 24, 18 meters NW [320°] from the palm). This stake is beside a rock on a sandy shelf on the south side of the streambed (about 4 meters above the stream).

The dominant vegetation in the streambed is desert willow.

Transect 21





Habitat – Chaparral




This transect is located on the northern slope of Santa Rosa Mountain.

The first 498 meters of the transect is on “Whitman Road” (a.k.a. “The Sawmill Trail”; the trail from the Sawmill Trailhead up the north side of Santa Rosa Mountain), the remaining 592 meters follows an old mining road beyond its end to just above Deep Canyon Creek.

The northeastern end of the transect is marked by a black number and arrow painted on a rock on the south side of the main road. A large pile of rocks has been placed north of the road opposite this number.

The midpoint where the transect turns to follow the mining road is marked with a black number and arrows on a rock on the south side of the mining road.

The southwestern end is marked by a black number and arrow painted on a rock pile east of the south end of the trail that passes the old mining machinery at the end of the mining road.

This transect is located in typical chaparral habitat, with the dominant vegetation consisting of chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), redshank or ribbonwood (Adenostoma sparsifolium), and desert lilac (Ceanothusperplexans).

Transect 22





Habitat – Coniferous forest



This transect is located on the road between Santa Rosa Mountain and Toro Peaks.

The western end of the transect is marked by a black number (and arrow) painted on a rock at the south side of the road about 5 meters west of the road to the old Ragsdale cabin (ruins, on Santa Rosa Mountain Peak) that branches off to the south.

The eastern end has a black number and arrow painted on a rock at the south side of the road approximately 30 meters east of the corner of the old Ragsdale cattle fence. U.S. Forest Service road 7S02C joins the main road from the north approximately opposite the marked rock.

The dominant vegetation consists of Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), white fir (Abies concolor), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and canyon (golden-cup) oak (Quercus chrysolepis).

Transect 23




Creosote bush scrub 8.0 hectares

Sand dunes 1.2 hectare


Habitats – Sandy creosote bush scrub, Sand dunes

Southeast end – 33.787313 (3,738,772 m), -116.335994 (561,472 m), bearing 334

Northwest end – 33.801916 (3,740,386 m), -116.344768 (560,650 m), bearing 152

This transect is located on the floor of the Coachella Valley in the Thousand Palms Preserve.

The site is approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) northeast of the village of Thousand Palms. The transect crosses a broad sandy plain that contains occasional bare sand dunes. However, most of these dunes are topped with honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

The southeastern corner is located where sections 26, 27, 34 and 35 come together (southeast corner of section 27). The original location was identified by a row of athel tamarisk trees (Tamarix aphylla) whose eastern end terminated at that point and served to identify the southeastern end of the transect. Subsequent removal of the tamarisk resulted in the loss of the original end point. Now a yellow carcinite survey marker serves as the southeast end point (near the UCR Center for Conservation Biology weather station).

The northwestern end is marked by a quarter section post (old 3 inch x 5 inch wooden post about 0.5 meter high) that identifies the middle of the northern boundary of section 27 and the southern boundary of section 22. There is a large mesquite-topped sand dune immediately northeast of the post.

The dominant vegetation on the flat portion of the transect includes creosote bush, burro bush, and salt bushes (Atriplex polycarpa, Atriplex canescens).

Transect 24





Habitat – Sand dunes


West end – 33.779744 3,737,951 m), -116.307004 (564,162 m), bearing 113

This transect is located in some honey mesquite sand dunes (mesquite hummocks) immediately west of Washington Street. Widening of the street and development on the east side necessitated deviating from the original east end, which was a power pole on the east side of the street. The eastern end is now marked by a black number ”24“ painted on the west side of a fence post (chain link) just west of Washington Street. The number is on the cap of this fence post.

The west end is marked by an orange stake beneath a now-dead creosote bush located at the top of a dune at the western edge of this dune mass.

Besides the two species of plants named above, the transect also contains numerous salt bushes.

Transect 25





Habitat – Chaparral



This transect is located along the Santa Rosa Mountain road a short distance west of where the road crosses Garnet Queen Creek.

The western end of the transect is marked by a black number “25” and arrow painted on a large rock on the south side of the road.

The eastern end is marked by a painted black number (and arrow) on a rock on the north side of the road directly opposite the westernmost canyon oak that is growing on the south side of the road.

The transect occurs in typical chaparral habitat, with the dominant vegetation consisting of chamise, redshanks (ribbonwood), and desert lilac. The transect occurs on the south-facing side of the mountain.

Transect 26








This transect is located along the bottom of Carizzo Creek.

The eastern end is located at approximately the eastern boundary of section 26 which is demarcated by the power lines. This end is marked by a black number “26” painted on a rock on the northern bank of the creek bed. A black arrow is painted below the number.

The western end of the transect is located where the remains of a road cross the creek bed. This end also is marked by a black number and arrow painted on a rock outcrop on the north side of the wash. The creek bed is quite rocky in a few places, but is sandy most of the length of the transect. Two live (and two dead) fan palms mark the site of Dos Palmas Spring, which is located in the streambed on the transect. This spring is within 100 meters of the east end the transect.

The dominant plants along the transect include desert willow, sugar bush, California juniper, squaw waterweed (Baccharis sergiloides), catsclaw, false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), and desert apricot (Prunus fremontii). A few specimens of scrub oak, tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) and one-needle pinyon pine also occur on the transect.

Transect 27








The transect follows the remains of an old road that crosses through the center of section 26.

The southern end of the transect begins where the road crosses Carizzo Creek (at the west end of Transect 26). This end is marked by a black “27” (and arrow) painted on a rock outcrop just east of the road. This transect continues northward until the road reaches a barbed wire fence along the north boundary of section 26.

The north end of the transect also is marked with a black number and arrow painted on a rock beside the eastern side of the road.

Some of the dominant plants that are found in this ecotonal transition from yucca-galleta grass to pinyon-juniper woodland include catsclaw, California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), Acton’s encelia (Encelia actoni), Mojave yucca, galleta grass, crucillio (Ziziphus parryi), western bernardia (Bernardia incana), and deer horn cactus (Cylindropuntia ganderi). Some scattered California junipers and one-needle pinyon pines also occur along the transect.

Transect 28





Habitats – Chaparral, Coniferous forest, Riparian



West end – 33.554281 (3,712,871 m), -116.454286 (550,657, bearing 178

This transect, located on the northern slope of Santa Rosa Mountain, begins near the southern end of the “Whitman Road” (a.k.a. the “Sawmill Road”), which crosses sections 11, 14 and 23, T7S, R5E.

The eastern end is numbered in black paint (with arrow) on a rock at the south edge of a trail that goes west towards Omstott Creek. This rock is located about 10 meters south of a shallow pond filled with cat-tails (Typha domingensis) and willows (Salix sp.) that is approximately 30 meters southwest of the old kiln.

The transect follows the trail to the west, crossing Deep Canyon Creek. The transect passes through montane chaparral, dominated by manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca), desert lilac, flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), and scrub oak. Coniferous forest occurred near the southern edge of the transect, so the transect was actually on the ecotone between these two habitats. Most of the conifers at this elevation died during the prolonged droughts around the turn of the last century (2000) with the exception of those growing along Omstott Creek at the western end.

After 944 meters (midpoint) the transect turns right to follow the remains of the old road instead of the newer diversion that cuts to the left towards Santa Rosa Peak. The midpoint is marked with black paint on a rock in the middle of the trail.

The western end of the transect is located where the old road crosses Omstott Creek. The last approximately 100 meters of the transect is located in riparian habitat within the extant coniferous forest.

A number of water-loving plants (both annual and perennial) are growing in or beside the streambed. This end of the transect is numbered in black paint (with arrow) on a rock on the south side of the old road, and about 3 meters west of the streambed.

Transect 29






East end – 33.5434 (3,711,638), -116.4826 (548,053), bearing 289


This transect follows Garnet Queen Creek west from where it crosses the road (7S02) that goes to the top of Santa Rosa and Toro Peaks.

The east end is the culvert just west of the road. The transect follows a faint trail on the north bank of the streambed at this end. Conifers, such as Jeffrey pine, incense cedar, and white fir are the dominant plants for the eastern portion of the transect.

The remainder of the transect is dominated by arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), canyon oak, false indigo, and California barberry (Berberis dictyota). These plants can, at times, become so densely overgrown that they are impenetrable.

The west end of the transect is marked by a black number and arrow painted on a brown rock (3 meters south of the streambed). This is located approximately 30 meters west of a canyon oak that is growing by itself in the streambed. Approximately 20 meters to the southwest of this oak are two box elder (Acer negundo).

Transect 30




Creosote bush scrub 1.25 hectares

Golf course 2.50 hectares

Artificial ponds 0.25 hectare

Elevation – 600 feet (183 meters)

Habitats – Rocky creosote bush scrub, Golf course artificial ponds



This transect crosses the southern end of the Ironwood Country Club’s south golf course.

The east end of the transect is located approximately 45 meters to the southwest (230°) of the north end of Transect 6. This end of the transect is marked by a black number (and arrow) painted on the top of a rock at the east side of the road that goes to the Deep Canyon laboratory. This rock is beside (southwest side) of a large palo verde growing in the wash beside the road.

The 14th tee of the golf course is immediately across the road to the west. The transect crosses the access road, passes between two ponds, and continues west over the golf turf. It then passes just north of the pump complex for the golf course, and proceeds across approximately 150 meters of natural rocky creosote bush scrub habitat that was left when the golf course was constructed. The transect then passes along the northern bank of one of the largest (southernmost) ponds on golf course. It continues west over the grass on the north side of a cluster of planted palm trees to a rather large rocky wash about 100 meters wide (Deep Canyon Wash). It crosses the wash and ends near a planted conifer. No permanent end marker persists because of periodical alterations to the golf course.

Transect 31



Width – 340 meters



Habitat – Rocky slopes

West corner – 33.654152 (3,723,974 m), -116.395002 (556,096 m), bearing 33, 117

North corner – 33.658389 (3,724,446 m), -116.391714 (556,398 m), bearing 130, 213

East corner – 33.656362 (3,724,223 m), -116.38882 (556,668 m), bearing 214, 310

South corner – 33.652783 (3,723,824 m), -116.39174 (556,399 m), bearing 297, 34

This transect originally was established as a breeding bird census plot. Consequently, it is rectangular in shape. All four corners of the transect are marked with vertical metal rods about 1 meter long. In addition, a rock is beside each rod, which is painted with a black “31” and two black lines indicating the directions of the transect from that point.

The western corner (where one normally approaches the transect from Highway 74) is located beside a rather large ocotillo, which is growing approximately 40 meters northeast (50°) of the 1600 feet elevation weather station.

The stake at the northern corner is in an open spot near a creosote bush, and a brittle bush. This site is approximately 10 meters west of the top of a rock pile above a south-facing, tan bluff that contains some shallow caves.

The eastern stake is on the eastern slope of a small ridge that projects northeastward from the northernmost hill on the transect. The stake is almost to the relatively flat region north of the rocky slopes, and is in a rather open area.

From the west corner, the east corner is just slightly to the right of the lowest portion the gap that is formed by Coyote Canyon.

The southern corner of the transect is located on the southeasterly slope of a major branch of Chuparosa Canyon. The stake is about head high when one is in the bottom of the canyon.

Many washes cut across this transect, which makes walking rather difficult in a number of places.

Perennial plants on this transect include ocotillo, brittle bush, creosote bush, burro bush desert lavender, indigo bush, and several species of cacti.

Transect 32





Habitat – Rocky slopes



This transect begins immediately behind (south) the parking structure at the laboratory and goes up the Worley Trail.

The orange stake marking the northern end of the transect is beside the eastern edge of the steps that go from the carport to the trail (near the NOAA rain gauge). The trail is easily seen above the laboratory and the bighorn sheep pen, but becomes harder to find as one goes up the ridge. Eventually the trail goes over a divide (near the top of the first major hill), turns to the left (east), and proceeds in that direction for approximately 50 meters.

Then the trail resumes its southerly course along the top of a rather sharp ridge. About 100 meters after the trail turns south, the terrain becomes rather steep and the trail nearly disappears. At that point, an orange stake marks the end of the transect. The stake is beneath a creosote bush that is growing on the left (east) side of the trail.

The plants on this transect essentially are the same as recorded for Transect 31 except that desert agave has nearly replaced ocotillo here.

PHOTO SITES

Nineteen marked photo sites have been established within the Deep Canyon Transect (Map 2). These sites are used to record photographically the changes that occur in these habitats seasonally as well as over the years. Locations were obtained using high accuracy GPS and are given in degress lat./long. (meters UTM).

Some photo sites are marked with an orange plastic stake. The number of the site is marked in black on the top of the stake. A series of black notches are present around the edge of the top of the stake, each indicating a compass bearing that is photographed from that site. If north (0°) is photographed, there is a black dot beneath the notch pointing north (inner end of the notch).

Some photo sites are marked by a black number painted on the top of rock. Around this number are black lines that indicate the compass bearings used at the site. There is a black dot beneath the line pointing north on the end nearest the site number.

Since the advent of digital photographic technology the sites can be photographed without regard to compass bearing as long as sufficient overlap among photos is maintained.

Photo Site 1

Location : N 33.670305 (3,725,777 m), E -116.372915 (558,133 m)

Elevation 710 feet (215 meters)

Habitat Rocky creosote bush scrub

Compass bearings 0° 30° 60° 85° 115° 155° 180° 195° 225° 255° 285° 320°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is 42 meters southeast (160°) of the main gate at the north boundary fence of the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center. It is about 10 meters east of the road.

Photo Site 2

Location : N 33.669631 (3,725,706 m), E -116.367447 (558641 m)



Compass bearings 0° 30° 60° 90° 125° 155° 180° 210° 235° 270° 305° 320° 340°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is approximately 150 meters south of the boundary fence and about 30 meters south of the perimeter road for the Campground. This site is approximately 125 meters west of the main channel of Rubble Canyon. The stake is near the base of a creosote bush (Larrea tridentata.)

Photo Site 3

Location : N 33.647715 (3,723,270 m), -116.377549 (557,719 m)

Elevation 1,013 feet (307 meters)

Habitats Desert wash, Rocky creosote bush scrub

Compass bearings 225° 250° 270° 315° 345° 0° 45° 65° 90° 125°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is approximately 2 meters north of the ramada ruins situated immediately above the Deep Canyon Laboratory.

Photo Site 4

Location : N 33.649147 (3,723,430 m), E -116.376468 (557,818 m)


Habitats Desert wash, Rocky creosote bush scrub


This site, marked by an orange stake, is approximately 10 meters east of the old paved road to the Deep Canyon Laboratory, and at the north side of a small parking lot about 200 meters northeast of the laboratory.

Photo Site 5

Location : N 33.640161 (3,722,422 m), E -116.397352 (555,887 m)


Habitat Yucca-galleta grass

Compass bearings 335° 0° 30° 60° 90° 130° 170° 190°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is located east of the north end of the road on Agave Hill (“Lucky'' on topographic maps). There is a cleared bare area overlooking Deep Canyon below.

Photo Site 6

Location : N 33.638229 (3,722,207 m), E -116.398287 (555,802 m)




This site, marked by an orange stake, is located on Agave Hill approximately 45 meters south-southeast (155°) of the weather station shelter. The stake is located on a low ridge just south of the weather station shelter.

Photo Site 7

Location : N 33.631924 (3,721,507 m), E -116.400400 (555,610 m)




This site is marked by an orange stake, and is located on Lookout Hill (hill immediately south of Agave Hill) approximately 244 meters (by road) from the gate on Highway 74. The stake is in place on the top of a large rock pile north of the dirt road. This rock pile is beside the concrete base (4 ft. x 4 ft. x 2 ft.) that originally supported an aircraft lookout tower during World War II.

Photo Site 8

Location : N 33.631903 (3,721,506 m), -116.398279 (555,807 m)


Habitats Rocky slopes, Yucca-galleta grass


This site, marked by an orange stake, is located on a rocky knoll that overlooks Deep Canyon from Lookout Hill. It is approximately 200 meters east (77°) of the eastern end of Transect 5.

Photo Site 9

Location : N 33.669047 (3,725,645 m), E -116.360170 (559,316 m)



Compass bearings 0° 40° 75° 110° 145° 175° 215° 250° 300° 330° 350°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is located on a ridge between Quail Canyon and Indio Canyon. The stake is in an open area on a flat portion of this ridge. The eastern end of the boundary fence between sections 4 and 9 is approximately 250 meters due north (0°) of the stake.

Photo Site 10

Location : N 33.654453 (3,724,008 m), E -116.393502 (556,235 m)


Habitats Rocky creosote bush scrub, yucca-galleta grass


The location of this site is indicated by a black number painted on a low flat rock near a creosote bush (to northeast). The number is surrounded by a series of black lines that identify compass bearings.

The site is near the north-eastern corner of section 18, and is located on a ridge east of a bend in Highway 74 that has a large cleared area at the west edge of the highway. The ridge is a continuation to the northeast of the ridge on which the 1600 feet elevation weather station shelter is located. The site is approximately 150 meters east-northeast (60°) of the weather station shelter itself (the weather station is approximately 100 meters east of the highway.)

Photo Site 11

Location : N 33.649587 (3,723,465 m), E -116.400680 (555,573 m)



Compass bearings 290° 320° 340° 10° 30° 60° 85° 115

This site is located at Vista Point on Highway 74. The site is a rock just below the rim of the ridge on which the parking area is located. It is north of the rock wall surrounding the parking area, 7 meters north of the 7th pylon from the uphill end of the parking area wall. Remnants of an asphalt ramp for hang glider launching can be seen on the rocks uphill from the photo site.

Photo Site 12

Location : N 33.651184 (3,723,660 m), E -116.367531 (558,645 m)


Habitats Rocky creosote bush scrub, Desert wash, Rocky slopes


This site, marked by an orange stake, is located on the top of Packrat Hill. This hill is several hundred meters east-northeast (55°) of the Deep Canyon Laboratory near the entrance to Coyote Canyon.

Photo Site 13

Location : N 33.605451 (3,718,548 m), E -116.445687 (551,425 m)

Elevation 4,366 feet (1,323 meters)

Habitat Pinyon-juniper woodland


This site is marked in black paint on the top of one of a series of rock outcrops on the east side of section 30 in Pinyon Flats. The site is approximately 110 meters southwest (225°) of a Telephone microwave repeater station.

The site also is about 50 meters south of a rather poorly defined dirt road that crosses section 34 just south of the repeater station (Transects 13 and 14 occur on this road).

A rock that contains a rather deep Indian grinding hole (metate) on it is about 6 meters east of the photo site.

Photo Site 14

Location : N 33.599881 (3,717,924 m), E -116.459016 (550,192 m)




This site is located on top of a rather large rock outcrop that is situated approximately 200 meters north of Pinesmoke Road, and about 85 meters east of the west section boundary in the southwestern corner of section 34. The site is marked with black paint on the top of a rock at the top of the large rock outcrop.

Photo Site 15

Location : N 33.612218 (3,719,292 m), E -116.459872 (550.105 m)



Compass bearings 90° 115° 140° 170°

This site, marked by an orange stake, is located beside the southeast steps of the seismic trailer laboratory located beside the University of California (San Diego) Green Pinyon Flat Geophysical Laboratory. This laboratory is situated in the northwest corner of section 34.

Photo Site 16

Location : N 33.676922 (3,726,515 m), E -116.365152 (558,848 m)


Habitat Rocky creosote bush scrub, Desert wash, Artificial ponds, Golf course


This site, marked with black paint on the top of a flat rock, is located on a knoll near the southeast corner of the Ironwood Country Club's south golf course (near the 14th hole).

The site is at the exact center of section which is at the top of the knoll.

Photo Site 17

Location : N 33.611331 (3,719,216 m), E -116.414806 (554,287 m)



Compass bearings 0° 30° 65° 95° 130°185° 220° 255° 295° 330°

This site is located on the top of a large rock outcrop (the highest outcrop at the vicinity) approximately 50 meters east of Highway 74. It is across the road from highway marker 84 33, and immediately east of the highway pull-off that is crossed by Transect 19. The site is marked with black paint on the top of the highest rock.

Photo Site 18

Location : N 33.619581 (3,720,120 m), E -116.434994 (552,409 m)


Habitats Riparian, Yucca-galleta grass, Pinyon-juniper woodland


This site is located on the top of the highest rock outcrop about 75 meters northeast (20°) of the western end of Transect 26 and the southern end of Transect 27 in Pinyon Flats.

The site is marked with black paint on the top of the highest rock.

Photo Site 19

Location : N 33.779744 (3,727,951 m), E -116.307004 (564,162 m)


Habitats Sand dunes, sandy creosote bush scrub


This site is located at the northwest end of Transect 24 within the Thousand Palms Preserve, and is marked by the same orange plastic stake that indicates the end of Transect 24. The compass bearings are indicated by notches around the edge of the top of the stake.

Documents

DEEP CANYON TRANSECT · Web viewThere is a large mesquite-topped sand dune immediately northeast of the post. The dominant vegetation on the flat portion of the transect includes