Adventure Out! – Utah’s Wonders of the Southwest
Saturday, September 26th – Thursday, October 1st, 2009
HIGHLIGHTS
DESCRIPTION
Hey Ladies! Join us as we head out to the adventure capital of Utah and enjoy some world class hiking. Moab is known for its amazing network of trails that wind over sandstone and through some of the best red rock scenery in the world. The views in this area seem to go on forever. Sitting just a stone’s throw away from Moab is Arches National Park. We will spend a day exploring the natural wonders and hiking beneath the world famous sandstone arches.
Of course no trip to the west is complete without a visit to the past. Our visit will take us to Grand Gulch, an amazingly well preserved area filled with ruins and only accessible by pack animal or on foot. We will take a three-day backpack into this unique primitive area, with stops along the way to admire the art of the Anasazi people, and stay in the backcountry for the night. There is nothing quite like sleeping under the wide open sky of the west.
Group limited to 10.
TRIP STYLE – Easy to moderate backpacking in beautiful desert area. Lodging includes public campgrounds, backcountry tenting and one 3* hotel stay in Salt Lake.
BACKGROUND OF AREA:
Moab - Located near the east bank of the Colorado River on the west side of the 12,500-foot-high La Sal Mountains Moab is Utah’s adventure capitol. With Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River right on their doorstep, its no wonder people come from far and wide to hike, bike and paddle this beautiful area.
Grand Gulch is located in Southeastern Utah’s red rock canyon country. The area is truly unique and is a remote and rugged backcountry, which is accessible only by pack animal or on foot. Early Native Americans known as ‘The Anasazi’ or ‘Ancient Ones’ flourished in Grand Gulch between 700 and 2,000 years ago. The Anasazi sites within Grand Gulch remain in excellent condition, which makes this a very special area.
Despite the desert like feel of the area, the flora and fauna abound. Many animal species that the ancient Indians used for food and clothing can still be seen in Grand Gulch. The Anasazi caught cottontail rabbits in nets or snares; rabbit meat added protein to their diets, and they made the pelts into blankets and robes. Rock squirrels, too, were probably eaten and their skins used for small items such as medicine bags. The people hunted mule deer and desert bighorn sheep for food and clothing and fashioned tools from the bones. Judging from the frequency with which desert bighorn sheep are depicted on rock art panels throughout the canyon, they must have been especially important to the Anasazi. Turkeys were also very important to the ancient ones. The feathers were often used as blankets, and it is believed that the turkeys were semi-domesticated animals. In addition to these terrestrial animals, you may observe a variety of birds in the area including wrens, blackbirds, chickadees, finches, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, swallows, owls, hawks, and eagles.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY - Moderate difficulty. Need to be able to carry a 35lb. backpack 8-10 miles.
TRAVEL INFORMATION -You will fly in to Salt Lake City where you will meet your guides, Julie and Rick, before jumping into a van for the 4-hour ride to Moab. Airfare is not covered in the cost of the trip and participants are in charge of making their own flight arrangements. Flights are currently running about $350 round trip from Rochester to Salt Lake.
ITINERARY
Day 1, September 26th - Fly in to Salt Lake and drive 4 hours to Moab. Once we arrive we will set up camp at a public campground in a scenic area outside of Moab. Depending on time of day we may check out town or take a short hike to loosen our legs.
Day 2, September 27th - Spend a day among the natural wonders of Arches National Park. The amazing rock formations surrounded by such spectacular desert scenery is a real feast for the eyes. Return to campground for night.
Day 3, September 28th & Day 4, September 29th – The next two days will be spent backpacking in Grand Gulch Primitive Area. This area is littered with remnants of an ancient Anasazi culture. We’ll spend our days hiking and take time to check out the dwellings and rock art along the way.
Day 5, September 30th – Hike back out for the drive back to Salt Lake. Tonight we’ll stay in a hotel where you’ll have a chance to wash off the dust from your hike.
Day 6, October 1st – Transport to airport and fly home.
COST: $1290/person includes food, lodging, bike rental, camping permits, ground transport and guides. This is a cash price payable by check. A non-refundable $400 deposit is due to register. Airfare is additional and currently running about $350 from Rochester.
HOW TO REGISTER – Please contact Julie at 329-3664 or email julie@adventureoutny.com