Post by LadyViper on Apr 2, 2007 21:49:08 GMT -6
www.kingsnake.com/ths/fieldmeet2007.htm
THS Spring Field Meet 2007
May 4th-6th
C. E. Miller Ranch
General Information
The 2007 THS Spring Field Meet will be held at the C. E. Miller Ranch near Valentine in Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties. This 33,000 ac ranch is located on the eastern side of the Sierra Vieja Mountains and was a collecting locality for Frank Blair’s expeditions in the 1940’s. The field meet represents an important opportunity to gather comparative data between these expeditions and the present. (Additionally, the 1979 THS spring field meet, though no herp records from that trip have been found.) A variety of habitats are located on the ranch, ranging from desert & grassland flats to steep, rocky canyons. There are several water sources on the property, both natural and artificial, that support aquatic species. There are also several piles of debris that can be turned to find animals. Other wildlife is abundant on the property, including javelinas, kit foxes, and mountain lions. Over 300 species of birds have been seen on the ranch. This is a private ranch and collection of any wildlife is prohibited; the Miller Family has been gracious enough to allow THS to visit the ranch and collect specimens for identification only.
Access to most of the ranch is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles with reasonably high clearance, though some 2WD vehicles with high clearance may be able to navigate parts of the ranch. Water will be available, but all food and supplies should be brought to the campsite. There will be two port-o-lets. For the camping impaired, the nearest towns with facilities are Van Horn and Marfa (each 40 miles from Valentine, the nearest town to the ranch, ~1 hr travel time). It may be cold at this time of the year, so bring warm clothes and sufficient camping supplies to stay warm at night (avg. early May temps (°F): 70’s – mid 80’s during day; mid 40’s night).
Directions to Miller Ranch- Maps
Access to Miller Ranch begins via a dirt road 3/4 mi north of Valentine, leading west from U.S. Hwy 90. This road heads due W (1.7 mi), then due S (0.9 mi), then WSW (1.1 mi) to a large red gate. This gate marks the entrance to the Chilocote Ranch, a private ranch with lands directly south and east of Miller Ranch. Proceed through the red gate (leaving gate in position found) WSW for 2.6 mi to prominent fork in road – take right fork. Head W (0.9 mi) until you reach gate marking eastern boundary of Miller Ranch. Head through gate and W for 2.4 mi to reach Miller Ranch house. Follow signs past ranch house to campsite (~1 mi W of ranch house). Be advised that all lands east of the Miller Ranch fence (on both sides of first 7.2 mi of dirt rd) are private and leaving the roadway is trespassing.
Please stop by the registration table at the campsite when you arrive. With such a large piece of land, we want to make sure we have a list of all participants as well as we need everyone to sign a liability release form – plus this is a great way for you to renew your membership. If you’d like to bring a visitor there is a $10.00 visitor fee (or they can join THS for the same price and attend free of charge); be sure and bring your checkbook to cover your 2007 dues.
If you have any questions about the field meet, please contact THS President Travis LaDuc at travieso@mail.utexas.edu.
THS Spring Field Meet 2007
May 4th-6th
C. E. Miller Ranch
General Information
The 2007 THS Spring Field Meet will be held at the C. E. Miller Ranch near Valentine in Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties. This 33,000 ac ranch is located on the eastern side of the Sierra Vieja Mountains and was a collecting locality for Frank Blair’s expeditions in the 1940’s. The field meet represents an important opportunity to gather comparative data between these expeditions and the present. (Additionally, the 1979 THS spring field meet, though no herp records from that trip have been found.) A variety of habitats are located on the ranch, ranging from desert & grassland flats to steep, rocky canyons. There are several water sources on the property, both natural and artificial, that support aquatic species. There are also several piles of debris that can be turned to find animals. Other wildlife is abundant on the property, including javelinas, kit foxes, and mountain lions. Over 300 species of birds have been seen on the ranch. This is a private ranch and collection of any wildlife is prohibited; the Miller Family has been gracious enough to allow THS to visit the ranch and collect specimens for identification only.
Access to most of the ranch is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles with reasonably high clearance, though some 2WD vehicles with high clearance may be able to navigate parts of the ranch. Water will be available, but all food and supplies should be brought to the campsite. There will be two port-o-lets. For the camping impaired, the nearest towns with facilities are Van Horn and Marfa (each 40 miles from Valentine, the nearest town to the ranch, ~1 hr travel time). It may be cold at this time of the year, so bring warm clothes and sufficient camping supplies to stay warm at night (avg. early May temps (°F): 70’s – mid 80’s during day; mid 40’s night).
Directions to Miller Ranch- Maps
Access to Miller Ranch begins via a dirt road 3/4 mi north of Valentine, leading west from U.S. Hwy 90. This road heads due W (1.7 mi), then due S (0.9 mi), then WSW (1.1 mi) to a large red gate. This gate marks the entrance to the Chilocote Ranch, a private ranch with lands directly south and east of Miller Ranch. Proceed through the red gate (leaving gate in position found) WSW for 2.6 mi to prominent fork in road – take right fork. Head W (0.9 mi) until you reach gate marking eastern boundary of Miller Ranch. Head through gate and W for 2.4 mi to reach Miller Ranch house. Follow signs past ranch house to campsite (~1 mi W of ranch house). Be advised that all lands east of the Miller Ranch fence (on both sides of first 7.2 mi of dirt rd) are private and leaving the roadway is trespassing.
Please stop by the registration table at the campsite when you arrive. With such a large piece of land, we want to make sure we have a list of all participants as well as we need everyone to sign a liability release form – plus this is a great way for you to renew your membership. If you’d like to bring a visitor there is a $10.00 visitor fee (or they can join THS for the same price and attend free of charge); be sure and bring your checkbook to cover your 2007 dues.
If you have any questions about the field meet, please contact THS President Travis LaDuc at travieso@mail.utexas.edu.