Utah Adventure: Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce
May 6-14, 2017
Trip Leader: Leslie Green lesliekgreen@gmail.com
Co Leader: Lisa Forester lisajforester@comcast.net
Type of Trip: Backpacking and sightseeing
Cost: $445
Cancellation Date and full payment: March 1, 2017
Adults only
Maximum number: 10 Minimum number: 8
Wilderness Level: 4 Difficulty: Rugged, Challenging
This trip will be a tour through the geological wonders of southern Utah, several of which are lesser known and more remote than more famous destinations, but still quite spectacular. Starting in Capitol Reef National Park, we’ll take a day hike or two to look down upon the Waterpocket Fold, a massive landform travelling a length of 100 miles through the canyon. Then we’ll take a two-day backpacking trip to Lower Spring Canyon Trail a 10 mile, cathedral-like hallway that combines easy canyon hiking and foolproof route finding with sights like lush cottonwood stands and massive sandstone amphitheaters. Next we’ll travel on to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and take in the splendor of the scenic byway between Boulder and Escalante, Utah. In this area we’ll take day hikes to some slot canyons and waterfalls before heading out for a three day backpack hike through Coyote Gulch a semi-narrow canyon that snakes its way down through incredible red rock country, passing a good number of arches, as well as the hardy wetlands that thrive within the shade and moisture of Utah’s desert oases. Before heading back home we’ll visit Bryce National Park and hike the Queen’s Garden Trail.
The price includes all camping and lodging for 8 nights, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts on backpacking trips three breakfast at hotels, park entrance fees, and van transportation. Meals on the road and in trail towns, lunches, and snacks are at your own cost. Round trip airfare to SLC of about $350-$450 is also additional.
