Welcome to theWelcome to theChildren’s Discovery TrailChildren’s Discovery Trail

Happy Trails!!!!!!!Happy Trails!!!!!!!

As you approach the Children’s As you approach the Children’s Discovery Trail, notice the different Discovery Trail, notice the different types of vegetation at the various types of vegetation at the various

elevations.elevations.

Make predictions about the weather Make predictions about the weather and temperature after looking at the and temperature after looking at the

sky and clouds—or lack of.sky and clouds—or lack of.

This marks the beginning of the trail. This marks the beginning of the trail. Remind students aboutRemind students about ““Leaving No Trace”.Leaving No Trace”.

PLEASE be sure to hike on the PLEASE be sure to hike on the trail! Remind students and parents trail! Remind students and parents

NOT to take any rocks or plants NOT to take any rocks or plants home.home.

Watch for different vegetation. Watch for different vegetation. What adaptations do they use to What adaptations do they use to

survive in the desert?survive in the desert?

The desert trumpet…The desert trumpet…

Think about what might be in the sac near the top of the stem. Why?

Can you find any possible animal Can you find any possible animal homes or shelters? homes or shelters?

How do they stay safe?How do they stay safe?

Stop 1. Look at the ground ahead. Why Stop 1. Look at the ground ahead. Why are there so many small, smooth are there so many small, smooth rocks? What is this area called?rocks? What is this area called?

This area is a WASH. How does This area is a WASH. How does this area get larger? this area get larger?

Where does the water go?Where does the water go?

What color rocks do you What color rocks do you seesee around you? around you?

How do they look similar/different?How do they look similar/different?

How did the older rocks get on top of the “newer” rocks?

Where do you think these large Where do you think these large rocks came from?rocks came from?

The sandstone rocks are many different colors. The sandstone rocks are many different colors. Look for characteristics of this type of rock.Look for characteristics of this type of rock.

This rock is softer than the limestone. The colors red, yellow and beige are dominant colors. Sandstone appears to be softer and rounder.

Manzanita…Look closely at the Manzanita…Look closely at the bark and small, green leaves.bark and small, green leaves.

Mormon Tea and Sage is very popular Mormon Tea and Sage is very popular along this trail. Gently touch the Sage along this trail. Gently touch the Sage

to smell its’ fragrance. to smell its’ fragrance.

Look closely at the ash-like ground. Look closely at the ash-like ground.

This served as a roasting pit for many Piautes.

The trail gets tricky…The trail gets tricky…

Keep your eyes on the trail, but be Keep your eyes on the trail, but be sure to check out the different sure to check out the different

things that grow along the trail. things that grow along the trail.

Oak Scrub

Utah Juniper…trees had many Utah Juniper…trees had many uses. Can you think of any?uses. Can you think of any?

Look how easily this bark peels Look how easily this bark peels from the Utah Juniper. What could from the Utah Juniper. What could

be made from the bark?be made from the bark?

Pinion Pine…Can you see what is Pinion Pine…Can you see what is growing on the trees? These were growing on the trees? These were

often gathered. Why?often gathered. Why?

Pine nuts…very tasty & high in Pine nuts…very tasty & high in calories! calories! mmmmmmmmmm

Lots of Yuccas can be spotted. Lots of Yuccas can be spotted. Banana Yuccas don’t have a trunk-Banana Yuccas don’t have a trunk-

Mohave Yuccas do.Mohave Yuccas do.

Concretions…they made for a Concretions…they made for a great, old-fashioned game. Any great, old-fashioned game. Any

ideas?ideas?

What is all over these rocks?What is all over these rocks?

Be careful! The trail gets veryBe careful! The trail gets very narrow.narrow.

Who would use this shelter? Who would use this shelter? From what?From what?

YuccaYucca Prickly Pear CactusPrickly Pear Cactus

AgaveAgave Mormon TeaMormon Tea

Look at this great shelter. Why Look at this great shelter. Why would this be a great place to live?would this be a great place to live?

The view is spectacular and you can The view is spectacular and you can hear the stream. Why are these things hear the stream. Why are these things

important?important?

What’s that on the rock? Look at What’s that on the rock? Look at that cactus…a cholla.that cactus…a cholla.

Watch the path’s textures change Watch the path’s textures change along the way.along the way.

Look at the wild grapes!Look at the wild grapes!

The boardwalk is protecting many The boardwalk is protecting many things that grow here. things that grow here.

The Lost Creek…listen to the sounds of its’ The Lost Creek…listen to the sounds of its’ music. music.

Who uses the creek? Why is it important?Who uses the creek? Why is it important?

Ponderosa Pine…Take time to smell the Ponderosa Pine…Take time to smell the bark. What does it remind you of?bark. What does it remind you of?

Back to the wash again. Look for Back to the wash again. Look for fossils and favorite rocks.fossils and favorite rocks.

The End!The End!