If you are heading out for a hike, have a little fun with a scavenger hunt. This activity is perfect for all ages; kids especially, because they will stay engaged longer with the idea of a game. Hiking scavenger hunts are also a great way to learn more about the surrounding environment and ecosystems. Landscape, vegetation, and wildlife are very similar in Western Colorado, Eastern Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico; this scavenger hunt can be used with many trails in this region, primarily during the months of April-October.
Rock Formations: Look for interesting red rock formations. Do any of them look like safari animals, perhaps a castle, or maybe a spaceship? Imagination is highly encouraged with this item.
Cryptobiotic Soil: Have you ever seen a black crust on top of the desert soil? This is cryptobiotic soil, a living soil made up of tiny bacteria. According to the National Park Service, bio soil is also commonly called “desert glue” because it helps to keep loose soil from eroding way with wind and rain. Cryptobionic soil is an ecosystem that takes hundreds of years to form and it is a rich source of nitrogen that many desert plants rely on. Be careful and avoid stepping on this desert crust, as one footprint can be very detrimental. This is why it is important to stay on the trail.
Collared Lizard: The most colorful of the desert lizards, can often be seen sunbathing on rocks. Unlike many other lizards, Collared Lizards will frequently sit still long enough for photographs.
Claret Cup Cactus: Also known as the Hedgehog or Kingcup Cactus, are most commonly recognized by their bright red or yellow flowers. These are small barrel shaped cactus that typically grow in a large cluster and can often be found growing on top of desert rocks. Late April into early June are the best time to see the blooms.
Red-tailed Hawk: When hiking along a cliff or out-cropping of rocks it is common to see red-tailed hawks flying overhead. The most distinguishing features are their white or cream colored belly and red tail fanned out as they fly overhead in search of prey.
Animal Bones: If you happen to spot something white and porous, it is likely a bone from a creature big or small. Vertebrae, ribs, and tibia from deer are common finds. Sometimes a skull from a smaller creature such as a vole or mouse can be found. If you see a nest inhabited by a bird of prey, there is a good chance smaller bones lie below at the base of the tree.
Prickly Pear Cactus: Prickly Pear also grow in a cluster. They are pear shape and are just a little thicker than a pancake. These cactus also have exuberant blooms that come in yellow, red, and fuchsia.
Mormon Tea: Common desert plant also known as Ephedra, was frequently used by pioneers crossing the plains. They boiled the needles into tea and used it for medicinal purposes. This is a shrub with many clusters of needles that look like bundles of green twigs.
Heart Shaped Stone: Most trails are scattered with rocks, can you find one shaped like a heart?
Sagebrush: One of the most fragrant shrubs of the desert. If the bugs are bothering you, pick a few sage leaves and place them behind your ear. Sage can also be burned in a bundle over a camp fire to keep the bugs away.
Desert Bighorn Sheep: If you hear a clanking sound on the rocky ledges above, there is a good chance you will see Bighorn Sheep. If you see them during the spring months, look closely, baby sheep may be nearby.
Rusty Tin Can: Many of our public lands were previously used for homesteading, sheep herding, mining, or even CCC camps, and many trails still have remnants of old tin cans or barbed wire. If you stumble upon a rusty tin can, there is a good chance it is an artifact. Some trail users find creative ways to display these rusty finds, some are stacked neatly while others are hung from a tree.
Lichen: Lichen is a form of algae that forms on rocks or tree trunks and it typically rusty orange, yellow, or olive green.
Insects: Maybe you saw a beetle crossing the trail, an ant hill covered in red ants, or a spider spinning a web on a shrub. How many insects did you see?
Animal Tracks: This region boasts home to many animals, while we may not see them all, we know they are there because they leave their tracks behind. What types of tracks did you see?
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