Spring break in Saline Valley

Spring break, Friends of the Inyo-style in Saline Valley (Photo: Todd Vogel)

Take a spring break to Saline Valley and help eradicate invasive plants this April with Friends of the Inyo. The nonprofit continues its work, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), monitoring, treating and eventually controlling the invasive plant tamarisk (salt cedar).

This is a strenuous and adventurous work trip requiring hikes through brushy and thorny terrain on the steep, trail-less east side of the Inyo Mountains. Work will focus on several remote canyons (McElvoy, Pat Keyes, and Cougar) on the north end of Saline Valley, where tamarisk grows within preferred native plants.

Half the work (or fun, depending on your perspective) is getting to the sites. Most days, there will be several hours of approach hiking, often with substantial loads, and on steep, loose terrain. On other days, work areas will be closer to the roads and the effort will be four-wheel driving to monitoring locations, and short hikes to scout for any missed tamarisk. While there will be some time for exploration, this is a volunteer work trip on which everyone will rise early and be in the field a full day.

Trip dates are April 1-7, though volunteers are welcome to join for fewer days. Food is included in the trip fee of $15 per day, per person. Participants must bring two gallons of water per person per day, along with camping and eating equipment, work clothing (including long sleeve shirt and long pants that may get damaged), gloves, sun protection, boots (that could get wet), and bug spray. Bonus: the famous Saline Valley hot springs are an hour round-trip from the base camp at Badwater Springs.

Trip is limited to 10 participants and volunteers must sign up in advance; please contact FOI Stewardship Director Todd Vogel, todd@friendsoftheinyo.org, or call 760.873.6500 to reserve a space soon. For more information, visit www.friendsoftheinyo.org. –FOI