For Immediate Release
April 28, 2006

Biodiversity Conservation Alliance Announces Spring Red Desert Outings and Summer Mountain Outings

LARAMIE - Biodiversity Conservation Alliance has just announced its schedule of Red Desert and mountain outings for spring and summer. These hikes will be led by BCA staff and are free and open to the public. If you would like to register (space is limited) or would like carpool, rendezvous, or camping information, RSVP Maggie Schafer at (307)742-7978 or carmi@voiceforthewild.org.

“Because the Red Desert has some of the most important tracts of public lands threatened by oil and gas development, we’re once again putting a heavy emphasis on this area, so people can see for themselves the beauty and diversity of public lands that are slated for conversion to industrial gas fields,” said Erik Molvar, wildlife biologist for Biodiversity Conservation Alliance.

Boar’s Tusk Dunes, May 13
A day trip with short day hikes through the actively migrating dune fields near the Boar’s Tusk, one of the best-loved landmarks of the northwestern Red Desert. Trip leader: Maggie Schafer.

Adobe Town, May 20-21; June 3
Visit the crown jewel of Wyoming’s high desert wilderness, and explore the towering cliffs and pinnacles of the Skull Creek and Adobe Town Rims. The May trip features overnight camping and moderate day hikes; the June outing is a one-day trip with shorter walks suitable for beginners. High-clearance four-wheel drive required. Trip Leaders: Erik Molvar (May 20-21), Maggie Schafer (June 30).

Southern Red Desert Caravan, May 27-29
A three-day auto tour with car camping and very short day hikes across the southern Red Desert, visiting landmarks such as the Powder Rim, Prehistoric Rim, and Adobe Town. Highlights will include bird watching in juniper woodlands and wild horse viewing. High-clearance four-wheel drive required. Trip Leader: Erik Molvar.

Wild Cow Creek Backpack, June 10-11
A two-day, moderately strenuous backpack through the canyons of Wild Cow Creek and Deep Gulch in the Wild Cow Creek Proposed Wilderness, now threatened by the massive Atlantic Rim coalbed methane project at the eastern edge of the Red Desert. Trip Leader: Erik Molvar.

Honeycomb Buttes, June 10-11
Explore the red-and-green banded maze of badlands of the Honeycomb Buttes, a potential wilderness in the Jack Morrow Hills country of the northwestern Red Desert. Overnight camping with moderate day hikes into the buttes. Bring camping gear, food, water. Trip Leader: Jeremy Nichols.

North Platte Dugway Float, June 17-18
A 2-day, gentle raft trip along the Platte River between Fort Steele and Seminoe Reservoir in the Great Divide BLM planning area, site of a major coalbed methane project that threatens the water quality of the river. Enjoy the scenery and fishing opportunities, along with a campout along the river. Trip Leader: John Winkel.

Libby Creek Falls, July 22
Moderate to challenging 3 mile hike with some scrambling and steep uphill hiking to a beautiful 150-foot cascade in the Medicine Bow’s Libby Creek Roadless Area.  Short day trip with some time to explore or meditate at the foot of the falls. Trip Leader: Sarah Egolf.

Medicine Bow Peak, July 29
Join us for a rigorous day hike to the summit of Medicine Bow Peak from the Sugarloaf Trailhead. Enjoy great views of the spectacular peaks, alpine wildlflowers, and timberline wildlife viewing in the Snowy Range Roadless Area. Trip Leader: Suzanne Lewis.

Rock Creek Hike, August 5th
Join us for a moderate day hike along Rock Creek, one of the Medicine Bow's wildest canyons that has been proposed for wilderness designation by the Forest Service. Trip Leader: Jeremy Nichols.

Sierra Madre Scenic Drive, September 23
A leisurely drive around the Sierra Madre Range, with its abundant aspen woodlands and wild roadless areas. The driving will be punctuated by stops for short strolls, scenic overlooks, and picnicking. Trip Leader: Jeremy Nichols.

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Contact Information Contact
Erik Molvar, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, (307) 742-7978