Utah's Canyon Country
October 11-18, 2008

Renew your spirits in the mountains and beautiful red rock canyons of Utah and Arizona. This canyon country journey is designed for moderate hiking and has a strong natural history element. We will walk 5-6 miles in an average day over uneven but beautiful and intriguing terrain. On some days, we will have options for extending these hikes, or making them more leisurely. In addition to great walks, enjoy scenic drives, and the opportunity to wander at your own pace to absorb the incredible wonders in rock. At night, relax in the ambience of rustic lodges at the parks or in charming accommodations in nearby towns.

Join us to explore Bryce and Zion National Parks, both internationally renowned national parks. We also visit a few treasured, but lesser-known sites and plan an all day boat excursion on Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge. Navajos called this sacred site the “rainbow of stone,” and it truly is one of the wonders of the world. Until Lake Powell was flooded this was one of the most remote, inaccessible places in the U.S. On our second day at Lake Powell, from delightful waterfront lodgings at Wahweap Lodge we join Navajo guides to hike and explore a fascinating slot canyon.

ITINERARY

Sat., Oct. 11 Arrive in St. George, UT
Fly into St. George by late this afternoon in time to join us for a welcome dinner and orientation. From the airport there is a complimentary airport shuttle to the hotel, which is located in the historic district of the city. If you arrive early, enjoy a walk to see local sites. We meet as a group at 6:30 PM for introductions and a welcome dinner. Known for its proximity to red-rock country and its mild climate, St. George today is one of the fastest growing communities in the intermountain west. We select it for its proximity to Utah’s renowned national parks – Cedar Breaks, Byrce, and Zion. The small state park at its margin, is beautiful to explore as well! If you want to come in early
Accommodations at the Best Western Coral Hills Motel, St. George (D)

Sun., Oct. 12 Snow Canyon State Park / Cedar Breaks National Monument / Bryce Canyon National Park
Start the day with a short hike in the ancient Navajo sandstone desert of lovely Snow Canyon State Park, within the 62,000 acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, created to preserve the endangered desert tortoise and its habitat. The park was created in 1959, but before that was used by native peoples and Mormon pioneers, such as Erastus and Lorenzo Snow, for whom the park was named. We then travel north 75 miles to Cedar Breaks National Monument’s stone amphitheater, a luminous preview of Bryce Canyon, complete with one of the oldest trees on earth, the bristlecone pine. From the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center, at 10,350 ft., we walk along the rim to take in the ever-changing landscape of rock hoodoos below. Here in the Hudsonian Life Zone, we may see Clark’s Nutcracker or White-crowned Sparrow, even a soaring Golden Eagle in the distance from the top of the 2,500 foot high, 3 mile wide amphitheater created through millennia of deposition, hardening and erosion of sediments. Elk or Mule Deer may be grazing the fall grasses as we go by while Yellow-bellied Marmots laze on red rocks in the sun. Continuing another 50 miles on top of the Markagunt Plateau we pass Panguitch Lake, then drop down into the Sevier River valley before entering Red Canyon on the Paunsagunt Plateau and Bryce. We’ll be looking for Utah Prairie Dogs in the Bryce Canyon entrance area and then stop at the Visitor Center for a wonderful orientation to the park, with excellent displays and an extensive collection of natural history books on the region, before going to our rim accommodations at Bryce Canyon Lodge. The historic dining room at Bryce is lovely; we’ll book table reservations for a variety of dinner times.to give you a selection.
Accommodations at Bryce Canyon Lodge (B,L)

Mon., Oct. 13 Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon, established in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt, is often the favorite of the parks among our participants as it is small, intimate and presents a real playground of light. Perhaps more than the other parks it appeals to the imagination, with its intricate pinnacles and hoodoo rocks that appear to take on human form. The multi-hued rocks of the large amphitheatres (actually eroded plateau edges) that comprise Bryce seem to glow in the early morning light. Thousands of colorful spires rise and join together in a panorama like no other. Today we may want to get up early for a short walk to see the beauty of sunrise from the canyon rim. After breakfast, enjoy a great hike through an area aptly named the Fairyland or the famous Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail. Experience first-hand the myriad, wonderful creations in siltstone, sandstone, limestone, and dolomite. Taking a picnic lunch with us, we have the day to explore this wonderland of erosion. Townsend’s Solitaire sing from atop Bristlecone Pine, and Clark’s Nutcracker often call in flight overhead, busy caching their winter supply of seeds. In the fall we often see both Mountain and Western Bluebirds, and if the Pinyon Pines have a good cone crop we may find flocks of Pinyon Jays.
Accommodations at Bryce Canyon Lodge (B,L)

Tues., Oct. 14 Bryce Canyon / Glen Canyon National Recreation Area-Lake Powell, Page, AZ
Today’s 150 mile drive takes us from 8,000 down to 4,000 feet through Hatch, Long Valley and Orderville, small and historic Mormon communities. Orderville, created in 1874, was a socialistic experiment by Brigham Young for all to share resources and work. We stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes to marvel and play, go to Kanab for a restaurant lunch, then drive into the farthest southern area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a region known for its pink, gray, white and vermillion cliffs. We take a back road to Old Paria ghost town and movie set to see what remains of this early Mormon agricultural, then gold mining area along the Paria (Paiute for elk) River. Before reaching our lodge on the edge of Lake Powell, we take in the Glen Canyon Dam and Visitor Center to learn more about why and how the lake was formed and consequences for the future.
Accommodations at Wahweap Lodge on Lake Powell, Page, AZ (B,L,D)

Wed., Oct. 15 Lake Powell/Rainbow Bridge, UT / AZ
We embark on an all-day scenic 7.5 hour boat trip to Forbidding Canyon and Rainbow Bridge, which includes lunch, a walk to the bridge and time to explore this extraordinary place. The Navajos called this sacred site the “rainbow of stone,” and it truly is one of the wonders of the natural world. Until Lake Powell was flooded this was one of the most remote, inaccessible places in the U.S. With the uplift of the Colorado Plateau about 60 million years ago, waters draining the 10,388 foot Navajo Mountain have created a masterpiece of erosion, first seen by non-natives in 1909. Composed of Navajo and the harder Kayenta sandstone at the base, Rainbow Bridge is a testament to the ravages of time as natural exfoliation continues. Return to the lodge and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Accommodations at Wahweap Lodge on Lake Powell, Page, AZ (B,L)

Thurs., Oct. 16 Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon / Zion National Park, UT
This morning we explore an iconic slot canyon of the Colorado Plateau with Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, a family-run operation dedicated to sharing Navajo culture and beliefs with visitors from all over the world. We ride to and from this storied canyon in jeeps, then stroll through this natural cathedral of stone so sinuous that the awesome power of water becomes overwhelming. It is hard to describe this experience. Breathtaking. Awesome. Even superb photos don’t do it justice. Later, we retrace our steps through Kanab to Mt. Carmel Junction where we have lunch before heading into Zion National Park. Entering the park from the west, we drive through the Clear Creek drainage, coming upon Checkerboard Mesa, which appears to be a giant, textured sand dune. Before entering the mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway tunnel, we stop for a scenic vista walk. Upon exiting the tunnel we see the Great Arch and then zig-zag our way down to the Virgin River and Towers of the Virgin, where we turn toward Springdale. We stop at the Visitor Center to orient ourselves and peruse the fine bookstore before heading to our supremely relaxing lodge, Desert Pearl, the epitome of southwestern elegance and charm.

The town of Springdale, UT, where we will stay for our last three nights, provides a magnificent setting, with views of the adjacent Zion; from the verdant valley of the Virgin River, you can look up several thousand feet to boldly sculptured pillars, domes, and towers in hues of rust and white. Those who want to hike in the late afternoon can enjoy one of the trails along the river or wander up to a viewpoint close to the Visitor’s Center. Or, you may choose to enjoy some free time this afternoon to get acquainted with Springdale. Shuttle buses connect points in town with the Visitor Center.
Accommodations at the Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale, UT (B,L)

Fri., Oct. 17 Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a fantastic realm of steep canyon walls and great domes and towers rising above the Virgin River. Zion is prized for its vantage point at the bottom of the canyon. We hike on trails looking up to witness the bold power of erosion and the Earth’s movement.
After breakfast and an introduction to geology, you can choose one of several hikes for the day. Enjoy a more rigorous hike up to a marvelous viewpoint on the West Rim in Refrigerator Canyon, or use the Park’s modern tram system to access short trails to local highlights such as the Narrows of the Virgin River, the Emerald Pools, and the Weeping Wall. This deep chasm of Zion Canyon displays a palette of reds, oranges, deep salmon, pink, yellow, and cream. Along the trails you may find lingering migrant warblers such as the Black-throated Gray and Yellow-rumped; Black-headed Grosbeak; a lizard sunning itself; a secretive Ring-tailed Cat; or other local wildlife. Along the Virgin River we may find American Dippers, Black Phoebes, and Rock and Canyon Wrens.

Dinner is on your own tonight; you can choose from an excellent variety of local restaurants, and one of the best is close to our hotel.
Accommodations at Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale (B,L)

Sat., Oct. 18 Zion/St. George, UT
Today we leave this red rock wonderland to return to St. George and flights home.

Travel Cost The cost of the journey is $2590.00, per person based on double occupancy. This cost includes accommodations for 7 nights, meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, and D=dinner), airport transfers, professional guide services, local park and other area entrance fees, and miscellaneous program costs. The cost does not include transportation to or from your home city to St. George, or items of a personal nature such as porterage, laundry, telephone calls, or beverages from the bar. Single supplement (as available) is $570.00 Travel Arrangements Plan to arrive in St. George if possible, by 6:00 PM Oct. 10th. You may wish to come in a day early if you are coming from any distance – you may want to try out the fabulous Red Mountain Spa adjacent to Snow Canyon State Park. Plan on flights out at NOON or later on Saturday, Oct. 18th We Strongly Recommend Travel Insurance! Please ask for free brochures, or sign on through the link on the registration page on this website. Photo Credits: CA Condor flying and Zion panorama, C. Wheeler McDougal, Jr.; all other photos by Peg Abbott.

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