Hidden Canyons of Lake Powell

Hidden Canyons of Lake Powell Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Fly to Salt Lake City, arriving in time for the 10 a.m. group rendezvous at the airport.  We recommend arriving the night before if possible, to allow for some relaxation time and to avoid any potential problems with delayed luggage.  From Salt Lake, we take a five-hour van ride
  through southern Utah to the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell’s north shore.  The further south we travel, the more dramatic and colorful the scenery becomes, as the rugged and remote Henry Mountains loom to our west.  Upon arrival in Bullfrog, we’ll load up our waiting houseboat and set out for the main channel of the Colorado River.  As we make our way southwest along the river, we leave civilization behind and are greeted by the splendor and solitude of our wilderness home for the next five days.  Our first backcountry campsite will be along the shores of the Colorado where our guides will serve dinner and conduct a brief orientation providing some additional insight into week’s itinerary, the history of Glen Canyon and the creation of Lake Powell.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  We break camp this morning and jump back aboard the houseboat for the cruise to our main campsite near Pollywog Bench, located in Lake Powell’s Escalante Arm.  Upon reaching the campsite we’ll unload our kayaks and, after a safety briefing and paddling demonstration, begin our exploration of Clear Creek where we’ll be awed by the soaring walls and arching roof of the Cathedral in the Desert.  The warm, reflected desert light is especially vibrant in this deep, narrow canyon and hints at the many fantastic geological phenomena that we’ll encounter during the week.  After visiting the Cathedral we paddle a short distance back to the Escalante Arm to explore a number of additional side canyons before heading back to our campsite for dinner.  Kayaking: 7 miles.  Hiking: 3 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 3

  After a morning swim and some hotcakes, we paddle into Davis Gulch, exploring deep alcoves and caves where ancient rainwater drips from porous sandstone ceilings.  The canyon gets narrower, and the towering sandstone walls get higher, as we make our way deeper into the gulch.  At lake’s end we leave our kayaks behind and hike along the sandy creek bottom to LaGorce Arch, high on the canyon wall in the middle of an enormous alcove.  We’ll break for lunch above a nearby waterfall and continue hiking in search of a series of ancient petroglyphs before returning to our kayaks for the paddle back to camp.  Kayaking: 9 miles.  Hiking: 3 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 4

  We swap our oars for hiking boots today and explore the colorful world above the lake.  We’ll hike right from camp and follow an old miner’s trail up to the rim of Pollywog Bench.  Walking where few have passed before, we’ll play on the sandstone hills filled with Moqui Marbles and yucca plants en route to a scenic overlook on the far side of the bench.  Upon reaching our destination, the mirage-like beauty of the surrounding landscape, considered sacred to the Navajos, unfolds before our eyes in a 360-degree panorama.  After lunch, we’ll make our way back to camp arriving in time for a late afternoon swim in the cooling waters.  Another fabulous dinner this evening under a canopy of twinkling stars!  Hiking: 6-10 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 5

  Awaken to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee waiting on the deck of our houseboat, and watch the morning sun paint the canyon walls in shades of yellow, orange and red. Today we'll kayak deeper in the Escalante and wind our way into Fiftymile Canyon, where we'll portage our kayaks a short distance over a small sand dune to a trapped lake that has been cut off from the main pool of Lake Powell. We'll paddle in silence, out of reach of any other boat, parting the glassy waters of this private canyon with our sleek craft. A mile or so in from the sand dam we'll begin a hike through the serpentine narrows of Fiftymile Canyon, wading in and out of the clear, cool waters of Fiftymile Creek. After our hike we paddle back to our houseboat for a sunset dinner. Kayaking: 7 miles. Hiking: 5 miles. All meals included.

• Day 6

  We enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the superb silence before a final morning of exploration and fun in the Powell backcountry.  After breaking camp at Pollywog, we’ll return to the main channel of the Colorado, gliding past 300-foot-high canyon walls covered with desert varnish.  Our morning hike takes us into Slickrock Canyon and provides an opportunity to visit a series of well-preserved Anasazi ruins.  We set out for Bullfrog Marina in early afternoon and, after unloading our gear from the boat, check into a nearby hotel and have time to refresh before our farewell dinner.  Hiking: 3 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  After breakfast, we’ll begin our drive north but still have one more adventure in store before our trip concludes. A stop in Goblin Valley State Park provides the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to hike amongst the fantastic sandstone “goblins” that have formed here.  We’ll encounter hundreds of these intricately carved rock formations during our visit and are sure to leave with renewed appreciation for the forces of erosion that contributed to the creation of this unforgettable region. We drive back to Salt Lake City this afternoon, with a scheduled arrival time at the airport of 5 p.m. IMPORTANT: For those flying home today, please do not schedule a flight out of Salt Lake City prior to 7 p.m. Hiking: 2 miles.  Breakfast and lunch included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, such as weather and backcountry conditions.  Based on fluctuating water levels, it may also be necessary to alter the itinerary to better achieve the desirable balance of kayaking and hiking.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate/tent mate if one is available. If we are unable to assign a suitable roommate/tent mate, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the single supplement.

All meals from Dinner on Day 1 through Lunch on Day 7; roundtrip transportation from/to Salt Lake City airport; hotel accommodations in Bullfrog, UT (1 night) and tents while camping (5 nights); kayaks and related gear; houseboat support (bathroom, shower and kitchen facilities); lemonade or Gatorade as well as coffee, tea and hot chocolate daily; expert leadership and park fees.

Airfare to/from Salt Lake City; sleeping bag and pad; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This adventure is rated as Moderate [3]. It is not necessary to be an expert hiker or experienced kayaker to participate in this trip, but you should enjoy hiking, feel comfortable in the water and arrive prepared to spend 3-6 hours each day engaged in activity. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 2 - 3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, paddling (if possible) and/or swimming. The better shape you are in, the more fun you will have!

Spring and fall in the Southwest are typically great times of year to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as kayaking and hiking. During these months, daytime temperatures on the lake generally range between 70° - 85° F with evenings cooling off 10-20 degrees. Very little rainfall can be expected but suitable raingear is essential nonetheless.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Weather

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider