Hiking Utah: Capitol Reef and Escalante National Parkssnebulos.mit.edu/majorexcursions/trips/1821.pdf · Southern Utah is a remote area compared to where most of us live. On some

HikingUtah:CapitolReefandEscalanteNationalParksTrip#1821

May11–May21,2018

IntroductionJoinusforsomeamazingdayhikinginSouthernUtahwheresomeofthemostbeautifulanduniquesceneryinNorthAmericacanbefound:massiveandcolorfulsandstonewalls,arches,spires,fins,petroglyphsandcolorfulrockformationsofinfiniteshapes.Wewillvisitarches,naturalbridges,slotcanyons,desolatecanyons,andseeuniquegeology.WewillvisittwoareasinsouthernUtah–CapitolReefNationalParkandEscalanteNationalMonument.

GoldenCathedralinEscalante

OurtripwillbeginandendinSaltLakeCity.WewillstayatmodestmotelsinthequainttownsofTorreyandEscalante,travelinginSUVstoourvariousdayhikes.Mostmeals,groundtransportation,accommodationsandparkentryfeesareincluded.TripDifficultyWewillhikeforeightconsecutivedays.Everyeveningtheleaderswilldescribethehikeforthefollowingday,soparticipantscanplanaccordingly.Mostofourhikeswillbeabout10milesinlength.Mosthikeshavelessthan1500’ofelevationgain.However,theterrainwillberuggedandsteepinplaces,andrequiresagility.Thereareshortsectionsonnarrowtrailswithexposure(steepdrop-offs).Wehaveawaistdeeprivercrossing.Theslotcanyonhikeisnotforthosewhosufferfromclaustrophobia.Wewillhikeatamodestpace,whichwillpermittimeforphotos.Participantsshouldbeinexcellentshapeandbeabletohikeformostoftheday.

ClimateHighdeserttemperaturesarevariableinMay.Expectwarmtohotdaysandcoolevenings.Bepreparedforawiderangeofconditions.Raingearandlayeredclothingisessential.

ItineraryDay1–Fri.5/11:UponarrivalatSaltLakeCityAirport,wewillrentvehicles,anddrivetoourhotel.Thiseveningwewillgooutforawelcomedinner.Day2–Sat.5/12:Afterbreakfast,we’lldriveabout4hourstothetownofTorrey,whichisjustwestoftheentrancetoCapitolReef.We’lltakeashorthiketostretchourlegsandseealittleofthisimpressivePark.Day3–Sun.5/13:SpringCanyonisapeacefulhikeintheheartofCapitolReef.Surroundedbysteep,surrealsandstonewalls,wegraduallymakeourwaythroughajumbleofhugeboulderstowardstheFreemontRiver.Attheendofthehike,wecrosstheFreemontRiverinwaistdeepwatertogetbacktoourspottedcars.9.7miles;250’elevationgain.

Day4–Mon.5/14:ThehiketoNavajoKnobsonthecanyonrimoverlookingCapitolReefVisitorCenteristhepremierhikeinCapitolReef.OfallthetrailsinCapitolReef,thisoneisthebestforappreciatingtheWaterpocketFold–the100milelongwrinkleintheearth’scrust.9miles;elevationgainof2500’,(andsoworththeeffort).Day5–Tue.5/15:Todaywestringtogetheraseriesoftrailsthatincludesamagnificentcanyon,amassivearchanda“grand”wash.WithmemorablenamesincludingCohabCanyon(thinkpolygamy),CassidyArch(thinkoftheoutlawButch),FryingPanTrailandGrandWash,weareinforafeastofterrainandviews.8.1miles;1545’elevationgain.Day6–Wed.5/16:Afterthreerelativelystrenuousdays,todaywetakeamodest,yetbeautifulhiketoFreemontGorgeOverlook.Bepreparedforwonderfulviewsfrom1000’abovetheFreemontRiver.AfterthehikewetakeascenicdriveoverthemountainstothecharmingtownofEscalante,andcheckintoourmotel.4.5miles;1090’elevationgain.Day7–Thurs.5/17:HeadingsouthontheMormon-builtHoleintheRockRoad,wedrivetothetrailheadforSpookyandPeekabooslotcanyons.Descendingintoawash,wewalktothemouthofeachcanyon,andwiggleourwayintotheslotasfaraswedare.Thecanyonsaresotwistyandnarrow,wemustturnsidewaysinplaces,andclimboverandunderchocks(hugebouldersstuckinthecanyonfrompreviousfloods).

SpringCanyoninCapitolReef

Day8–Fri.5/18:AfteralongdriveonthewashboardyHoleintheRockRoad,westarthikingtotheGoldenCathedral.Thisstupendoussandstonegrottoisworththelonghikeandrivercrossing.We’llapproachthisawesomenaturaltemplewithreverence,wadeintothepoolandstareupattheblueyonderthroughstoneskylights.9.2miles;1260’elevationgain.Day9–Sat.5/19:AfteranotherscenicdrivefromthetownofEscalantetothetrailheadforPhippsArch,weproceedonslickrockandsandbypassingseveraldryfallsuntilwegettoPhippsWash.ThenwecontinuedowncanyonuntilweeventuallyreachthesecretivePhippsArch.Afterthehike,wewilldrivepartwaybacktoSaltLakeCitytospendthenight.8miles;840’elevationgain.Day10–Sun.5/20:WecompletethedrivebacktoSaltlakeCity,tourthecity,andreminisceaboutourweek’sadventureatourfarewelldinner.Day11–Mon.5/21:ReturntotheSaltLakeCityairportforflightsbackhome.

PossibleItineraryChangesWeatherconditions,delayedflights,automotivebreakdowns,orroadconditionscanchangeourdailyplans.Everyoneisexpectedto“rollwiththepunches”,becooperative,abidebyleadersdecisions,assistleadersasrequestedandaddtothetotalgroupexperiencewhileenjoyingthemselves.Foremost,whileleaderswilltrytoofferoptionsandsolicitparticipantpreferences,thedecisionoftheleaderswillalwaysbefinalastheyareultimatelyresponsibleforthesafetyofthegroup.

PetroglyphsatCapitolReef

SlotCanyoninEscalante

ExperienceandRisksPeoplewishingtoparticipateinthistripmusthaveprevioushikingexperienceattheintermediatelevelorhigher.Althoughthehikingwillbeovermoderatelystrenuousterrainatamoderatepace,thisisnotatripforbeginnersorpeoplewhodonothikeonaregularbasis.Thistripisnottherighttimeforgettingintoshape.Youshould

alreadybeingoodphysicalconditionbythetimeyouarriveinUtah.Whenyouparticipateinthisactivityyoushouldbebothphysicallyandmentallypreparedandequippedwiththeappropriategear.Youshouldalwaysbeawareoftherisksinvolvedandconductyourselfaccordingly.Wearenotresponsibleforyoursafety-youare.Priortobeingacceptedforthistrip,youmaybeaskedtodiscussyourcapabilitieswiththeleader.Pleasedonotbeoffendedbyanyquestions.Utahisknownforitsrugged,unforgivinganddangerouslandscape.SomedangersthatarerelevanttoUtahhikingincludeflashfloodsincanyoncountry,exposureonhigh-deserttrails,thunderstorms,heatandlackofwaterondesertroutes.Youmustprotectyourselffromthesunandyoumustcarryanddrinkenoughwatertopreventdehydration.Saltysnacksarealsohighlyrecommendedtoretainandutilizethewateryouaredrinking.BeingaTeamPlayerWewillbemorethanjustagroup:wewillbeateam.Ifyouenjoybeingpartofagroupinaspectacularenvironment,thenthistripmaybejustrightforyou.Wewillhavebeautifulhikes,proceedingatamoderatepace.Weexpectthateveryonewillstaytogether.Ifyouliketo“doyourownthing”,tohikebyyourselfatyourownpace,beitfastorslow,youwillnotenjoythistrip.Ifyouarenotwillingtobepartofthegroupactivities,orhelpyourfellowhikerwhenneeded,thenpleasedonotregisterforthisexcursion.AMCtravelersareknownfortheircooperativeefforts,andweexpectthatallparticipantswillbeconsiderateofothersthatsharethisAMCtripexperience.

CassidyArchinCapitolReef

TripLeadershipRonJanowitz,Leader:RonisahikeleaderfortheNHChapterofAMC.HehasclimbedalltheNH4000footmountains,andmanyofthehighestpeaksintheU.S.,includingMt.St.Helens,Mt.Rainier,Mt.HoodandMt.Whitney.HehastrekkedinBolivia,andcompletedthe105mileTourduMontBlanc.HehasledAMCtripstoseveralNationalParksinUtah,OlympicNationalPark,Sedona,theCascadeMountains,DeathValley,Slovakia,Patagonia,Peru,Scotland,India,SwitzerlandandIreland.HevolunteeredforthreemonthsatNaturalBridgesNationalMonumentinUtah.HelooksforwardtosharinghisenthusiasmforsouthernUtahwiththeparticipantsonthistrip.

LeslieCarson,Co-Leader:Leslieisafour-seasonhikeleaderwiththeSoutheasternMassachusettsChapterandiscurrentlytheSEMHikingChair.ShehasledhikesforAMCAugustCampinthePacificNorthwestforthepastfouryearsandrecentlyco-ledATtripstoUtahandhikingtheHauteRouteinSwitzerland.HerpersonaltravelsincludeNewZealand,Spain,Italy,Belize,Canada,Caribbeanislands,andmanyofournationalparks.LesliehasAdvancedWildernessFirstAidandCPRcertification.Whennothiking,planningtripsortraveling,sheenjoyskayaking,cross-countryskiing,readingandgardening.

TripPriceThelandpriceofthistripis$2095,whichincludesalllodging,mostmeals,groundtransportationandparkentrancefees.Thepricedoesnotincludeairfare,estimatedtobe$650.Notincludedisalcohol,itemsofapersonalnature,andfeesforanyoptionalactivities.Anyunspentfundswillberefundedtoallparticipants.Intheunlikelyeventtheactualcostsexceedtheadvertisedprice,participantsmayhavetocontributeanadditionalamount.AllAMCAdventureTraveltripsarerunonanon-profitbasis.

Accommodations/Meals/TransportationWewillbestayinginmodest,comfortablemotels–doubleoccupancy.Wewillbuyormakelunchestotakewithusonourhikes.Wewilleatoutatlocalrestaurantseveryevening.WewillrentSUVsanddrivetothevariouslocations.Theleaderswilldrive,aswillassomeparticipants.DMVcheckswillbemadeforanyparticipantdrivers.ExpectationsSouthernUtahisaremoteareacomparedtowheremostofuslive.Onsomedayswewillbedrivinglongdistances.Therearelimitedchoicesformotelsandrestaurantsinsomeoftheplaceswewillvisit.Weknowthatifyouincorporatetheseexpectations,youwillfullyenjoythistrip.ApplicationProcessIfyoudecidethatyouwouldliketosignupforthistrip,let

usknowbyemailorgiveusacall.WewillemailyouanApplication,aConfidentialHealthQuestionnaireandanAcknowledgementandAssumptionofRiskandReleaseandIndemnityAgreement.Areservationdepositof$1000perpersonisduewithyourapplication.PleasemakeyourcheckpayabletotheAppalachianMountainClubandmailwiththecompletedformstoRonattheaddressshownontheApplication.Afterwereceiveyourapplication,wemaytalktoyouaboutyourhikingexperiencetoascertainyourabilitytoparticipatesuccessfullyinthistrip.Providinginformationtousaboutamedicalissueorinjurywillnotnecessarilydisqualifyyoufromparticipation,butwemayneedtoaskyousomefollow-upquestions.Wewanttobesurethatwecanadequatelyprovideforyourneedsinourbackcountrylocations.DepositandPaymentUponacceptanceonthetrip,wewillnotifyyoubyemail.Atthatpointwewilldeposityourcheckintothetripaccountandusethemoneytocovertripexpensesincurredonyourbehalf.Thebalanceof$1095perpersonisdueonJanuary31,2018.CancellationsCancellationsbyOctober31,2017willreceiveafullrefund.CancellationsafterNovember1,2017willloseaminimumof$250oftheirdeposit.Anyadditionalrefundswillonlybemadeifitdoesnotraisethecostofthetriptotheotherparticipantsorleaders.Ifyourspotiffilled,thenyoumaybeentitledtoafullrefund,lessthecancellationfee.Ifyourspotcannotbefilled,thereisapossibilitythatyouwillnotreceiveanyrefund.Participantsareencouragedtopurchasetripcancellationinsurance.IfthetripiscancelledbyAMC,youwillreceiveafullrefundforanydepositsandpayments.InsuranceThebasicpolicythatisincludedwithyourtripfeeisthroughTripMate™andincludes$200,000foremergencymedicalevacuation.Italsoincludes$5,000formedicalaccidentexpenses.Participantsshouldhavetheirownmedicalinsurance.Ifyouareacceptedonthistrip,wewillprovideinformationaboutpurchasingoptionaltravelinsurancethatcouldcovercancellation,lostbaggage,etc.

AirlinesandTravelTheleaderscanassistyouinmakingairlinereservations.PlantoarriveinSaltLakeCity(SLC)by4PMonFriday,May11,2018.Thetripends,andyoumaydepartfromSaltLakeCityonMonday,May21.Ofcourse,youmayarriveearlieranddepartlaterifyouwanttoextendyourtrip.QuestionsIfyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasecontacteitherofustodiscussthem.RonJanowitz:[email protected]:lesliecarson929@yahoo.comor508-737-6627RequiredGearHereisalistofsuggestionsforwhattobringtohaveagoodtimeonthetrip.MostoftheitemsarethingsyouwouldbringforadayhikeintheWhiteMountainsofNewHampshire.

DaypackPersonalfirstaidRaingear(bothjacketandpants)2oneliterwaterbottlesand/orhydrationbladderLightglovesLightormidweightfleecejacketComfortablehikingbootsandsocksSandalsorsneakersforrivercrossingLongpants-syntheticHikingshorts(zipoffpantshighlyrecommended)SyntheticT-shirtsLongsleevesyntheticshirtSunglassesSunhatwithwidebrimSunprotectionlotionLipprotectionbalmLeisureclothesfortravelandrestaurants(moderateamount)PersonaltoiletriesToiletpaperandplasticbagsforcarryingouttheusedpaperHeadlampwithextrabatteries

Optionalrecommendations:BathingSuitCameraEarplugsExtraprescriptionglasses,ifwornShortgaiterstokeeprocks/dustoutofbootsSmallknife(besuretopackincheckinluggage,notcarryon)CompassExtrashoelacesZiplockbagsReadingmaterialforbreaksintheactionHikingpoles