Escalante Canyons National Monument Trailrides from Torrey Utah - 6 Days

Escalante Canyons National Monument Trailrides from Torrey Utah - 6 Days -- The Grand Staircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument is Utah's largest tract of unspoiled wilderness.

A deluxe basecamp will serve as your home for daily forays deeper into the wilderness. Exploring a new trail each day, you'll visit ancient petroglyphs, slot-canyons, rock arches, buttes and spires. Experience Circle Cliffs, Indian Gulch, The Stairs, Lamanite Natural Bridge, The Lampstand, The Moodys, Deer Point Overlook, The Purple Hills, Silver Falls Canyon, Little Death Hollow, Wolverine Petrified Forest, and more.

Detailed Itinerary
Escalante Canyons National Monument Trailride

Note: This is a sample itinerary for two of several camps we may use. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.

Day 1

Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel--either the Capitol Reef Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.
The Capitol Reef Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon Inn is located downtown one block west of our headquarters. At 8:00 pm meet at the Capitol Reef Inn's Bookstore and Gift Shop or pool side at the Chuckwagon for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.

Day 2

After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to our headquarters. Transfers will be provided as needed. Our headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At our office and gift shop, we'll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) for our trailhead at Roundup Flat or Circle Cliffs.
The 30 mile ride over Boulder Mountain on highway 12 travels along a stretch of road which AAA of California has rated among the top ten scenic drives in America. From the Roundup Flat trailhead you'll ride past the Steep Creek Lakes and the Windmill into Indian Gulch via The Stairs before arriving at the Gulch basecamp. From the Circle Cliffs trailhead with it's panoramic view of the Grand Staircase and Escalante Canyons, you'll leave Studhorse Peak and Wagon Box Mesa behind as you ride to basecamp at Moody Canyon or nearby Silver Falls Canyon.

Day 3

After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Gulch basecamp you'll visit Lamanite Natural Bridge, Water Canyon and Egg Canyon before returning home to a hot shower and cold drinks. From the Moody/Silver Falls basecamp, you'll ride over the Purple Hills to explore the labyrinth of canyons which comprise the Moody Canyon complex.

Day 4

Daylight at the Gulch camp brings the prospect of visiting the Circle Cliff divide, the Lampstand and the petroglyphs located at it's base. From the Moody/Silver Falls camp you'll wind your way into the ever narrowing depths of Silver Falls Canyon with stops at the Pioneer Register and the cooling alcove at Immigrant Springs.

Day 5

From the Gulch camp you'll explore the upper reaches of Indian Gulch where it emerges from Edmund's Hole under the Windmill or Impossible Peak. Or, after a hearty breakfast, you will ride to Deer Point, the Capitol Reef Divide and the Waterpocket Fold Overlook before returning to relax around the evening fire.

Day 6

Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you will ride the length of the Gulch to where it joins Steep Creek and Long Canyon. At Long Canyon you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride along the Burr Trail road to highway 12 and beyond. You'll arrive Torrey late afternoon. From the Moody/Silver Falls camp you'll take in Wolverine Petrified Forest and Little Death Hollow before rendezvousing with our vehicles along the Burr Trail road for return to Torrey late afternoon.

HORSERIDER'S PACKING LIST

CAMPS: Our trips feature tent camping at primitive sites and are supported by 4 WD vehicles. Our camp wagons allow us to furnish cooking, eating and shower tents, chairs and commode as well as feed for our horses. Guests stay in small tents for single or double occupancy. A base camp is the setting for most rides. We recommend that you: 1) pack as light as possible, 2) pack practically and with a utilitarian eye, and, 3) pack so you may layer clothing for warmth. We will provide each guest with water-proof gear bags for personal items. Participants on our trailrides will be assisted with final packing during the pre-trip orientation, the evening prior to departure--see confirmation letter for details.

OTHER INFORMATION:
Suitability

While no previous riding experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. And although the minimum age of eight years is required, the important point you should understand is that we don't want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.
Our trailrides are limited to 10 or 12 participants, depending on destination. Our trips are designed for horse lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. We pride ourselves in giving experienced riders the challenge and pace they desire without abusing the horses, and in giving wilderness seekers the untraveled and scenic backcountry they relish. Our high guide to guest ratio allows us to divide into groups by ability and interest when time and logistics allow.
It should be noted that although our trips are designed to accommodated hikers as well as riders, if you plan to combine both activities, let us or your travel consultant know so they may plan for appropriate personnel and horses before the last moment.

Tipping

Tipping is always optional and a personal decision on your part, based on your overall experience. A guide is rewarded by the opportunity to show you a beautiful area and to share your vacation with you. However, a financial gesture of appreciation will be well received! If you do choose to pass along a gratuity, it is appropriate to direct it toward the trip leader who is responsible for distribution. The industry standard is 10-20%.

Inclusions

-all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day with special diets accommodated
-the first night lodging in Torrey, and with transfer package, post-trip lodging in St. George
-ground transportation from Torrey or St. George, and return
-complete outfitting with deluxe basecamp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs
-canvas sleep tent with choice of one or two person, or family occupancy
-sleeping bag and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot
-water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
-daily guided horseback riding or hiking
-seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
-guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history

Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-961-7375.