Project Description

We are partnering with the Bureau of Land Management to address impacts around the Tin Can Flat area located on Hole in the Rock Road. Coordinates are: 37°43'27.0"N 111°31'39.1"W. Tin Can Flat is located before the dumpsters on the first right hand turn on Hole in the Rock Road. There is currently road maintenance on Hole in the Rock road so be mindful of any heavy equipment. We will spend the morning exploring this area, picking up trash, removing excess fire rings, and utilizing naturalization techniques if necessary.

Location & General Project Overview:

Option 1: 

•  8:00am: Meet at Grand Staircase Escalante Partners Headquarters at 530 West Main Street, Escalante, UT

•  8:00am-8:30am: Carpool/caravan with us to Tin Can Flat

• 8:30am-9:00am: Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa provided. Safety talk and task overview.

• 9:00am-1:00pm: Complete project tasks, taking breaks as needed.

Option 2: 

•  8:30am: Meet at Tin Can Flat! Location Coordinates: (37°43'27.0"N 111°31'39.1"W) Look for our silver Dodge Ram Bighorn truck. 

• 8:30am-9:00am: Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa provided. Safety talk and task overview. 

• 9:00am-1:00pm: Complete project tasks, taking breaks as needed

Weather

As the trip gets closer, we will continue to monitor weather conditions and keep you updated if anything changes. If we end up having a significant chance of extreme weather, we may cancel the trip. As of now, the weather for Saturday 5/29 looks to be a high of 83 so be prepared for a hot desert day! Drink plenty of water in the morning and wear a sun shirt/long sleeves and breathable pants for sun protection while volunteering.

Safety

We will start the work day with a thorough safety briefing for the project. We will provide volunteers with work gloves, trash bags, trash grabbers, tools and vests. GSEP staff will have a comprehensive first aid kit and Garmin InReaches to communicate with emergency services if needed. All GSEP staff also have Wilderness First Responder Certifications. There will be little to no cell service available during this project. Please contact us if you have any questions on safety.

Packing List

For our spring trips this year we are providing FREE lunch as build your own sandwiches and some snacks for the day but bring some extra snacks just in case!  Also bring at least 2 liters of water and any needed medication. Closed toe shoes are required and comfortable hiking attire as well as sun protection (hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, sunscreen) will be essential. 

“Leave No Trace” in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

We will be following “Leave No Trace” or impact minimization guidelines during this volunteer trip. Please read through the following to make sure you are prepared for this volunteer project.

Plan Ahead and Prepare:

It is important to be properly prepared for your trip because it will enable you to leave as little impact as possible. GSEP will be bringing a map, GPS and a first aid kit. Volunteers should be prepared with their personal gear.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces:

The desert is fragile! We will stick to trails whenever possible and will not be traveling across biological soil crusts.

Dispose of Waste Properly:

There is no access to restrooms at Tin Can Flat or Hole in the Rock road. We will have wagbags available in case of emergencies. 

Leave What You Find:

Collecting any material besides trash is not permitted. We will be leaving all objects where we found them, unless it is otherwise pertinent to the stewardship project.

Minimize Campfire Impacts:

We will not be having a campfire on this trip but, if we come across an established fire ring we will do our best to scatter and remediate the impact. 

Respect Wildlife:

We will give all wildlife we encounter on this trip space. We will not be feeding wildlife and will take steps to minimize the possibility of animals getting into food supplies.

Be Considerate of Others:

There is a possibility of seeing other visitors during this project, please be courteous and give them the right of way when possible. If they have questions about what you are doing, please explain that you are a volunteer and any project specific questions should be directed to a GSEP employee.