Zion & Bryce Hiking – REI Signature Camping

Zion & Bryce Hiking – REI Signature Camping Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Travel from Las Vegas to Zion National Park and our Zion REI Signature Camp and enjoy a spectacular warm-up hike in the park on the way.

  Our trip begins today in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arrive into Las Vegas by around 11:00 am and transfer independently to the Henderson REI store. Meet at 12:00 p.m. at the store where our guides will briefly talk us through the basics over lunch, ensuring everyone has all they need before we set out for Zion. Making our way into Utah on this 3 hour drive, the mountains and mesas of Zion appear in the distance and rise to meet us as we arrive in time to enjoy a classic hike this afternoon. We'll climb the Watchman trail and enjoy views into Zion Canyon above the Virgin River, then return to our vehicle and complete the drive to our private REI Signature Camp. At camp we'll settle in, enjoy apps and drinks together while we get oriented to the site, then enjoy an abundant dinner spread before evening sets in. All meals included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5.

  Hiking: 3.2 miles. 3 hours. On our out-and-back hike today, we ascend 550 ft in our first 1.4 miles, then hike a short 0.4 mile scenic loop before returning to the trailhead along the route we ascended, making our total gain/loss today around 550ft.

• Day 2 Descend on foot from the panoramic roof of Zion to the Virgin River below, then explore the legendary Narrows before returning to our Zion REI Signature Camp.

  Wake to the song of canyon wrens and the smell of freshly brewed coffee as we enjoy breakfast in camp, then set out for the Observation Point trailhead. Our hike today descends from the canyon rim into the depths of Zion Canyon, the heart of Zion National Park. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of Echo Canyon, then, as the sun begins to heat up, we'll head for the relative cool of the Narrows, a deep slot canyon carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River as it cuts its way down through the Colorado Plateau to the foot of the Temple of Sinawava in Zion Canyon, where our hike begins. We travel upstream along the steep sandstone walls of the Narrows on a route often described as one of the best hikes in the U.S. before returning to main Zion Canyon to meet up with our vehicle and return to camp for the evening. This spectacular day of hiking offers a variety of dramatic views into the most celebrated wonders of Zion. Back at camp, look forward to another relaxing evening filled with great food and drink and shared memories with new friends.

  Hiking: 9 miles. 6 hours. Our first hike today leads from the rim of main Zion Canyon to the canyon floor. We hike 3.3 miles to start, gaining 300ft before steadily descending 2,450 ft in the final 4 miles of the route to reach the valley floor. On our second hike we walk upstream for about one mile into the Narrows, often in shallow water, very gradually gaining about 100 ft before turning around and exiting via the same route. We return to camp by vehicle from main Zion Canyon. Our total elevation gain for the day is 400 ft, and our total loss for the day is 2,550 ft.

• Day 3 Depart Zion for Bryce Canyon National Park, arriving at the rim for amazing views and in plenty of time to explore a few classic routes before hiking into our Bryce Canyon REI Signature Camp.

  Our Zion camp host bids farewell this morning with a delicious breakfast spread while our gear is loaded and we prepare to depart Zion for Bryce Canyon National Park to begin the next chapter of our adventure. Our van transfer today takes less than two hours, and the scenic drive traverses Red Canyon, providing just a glimpse of the grandeur that awaits us at Bryce. Arriving at Inspiration Point, we enjoy our first dramatic views from the rim. This chain of natural amphitheaters, formed by erosion, is packed with thousands of brightly colored spires or "hoodoos" banded in red, orange and white, some standing over 200 feet fall, all steeped in the mythology of the ancient Paiute people. Hiking along the rim, we take in the views from a range of angles across the canyon before taking a detour below the rim to explore the dramatic narrow slot through Wall Street, returning to the rim via the Navajo Loop. Next we'll enjoy a bountiful picnic spread at Sunset Point while sitting face to face with the oft photographed Thor's Hammer. Afterward, we'll make our way to the Fairyland Trail and descend to Tower Bridge before continuing on to our exclusive Bryce Canyon Base Camp where our host will welcome you in style as you arrive to find everything in its place for another night of camping perfection.

  Hiking: 6.5 miles, with options up to 9 miles. 4-6 hours. Our 6.5 mile day begins at Inspiration Point as we hike 0.7 miles to Sunset Point along the rim, gaining only 100 ft. From Sunset Point we descend renowned the Wall Street trail, losing 500 ft quickly in a half mile, then climbing out 500 ft back to the rim to complete the Navajo Loop in another half mile. From Sunset Point, we hike the rim once again to Sunrise Point, a flat 0.75 miles, then descend the Fairyland Loop Trail 800 ft to a hidden wash that leads directly to our hidden Base Camp, losing another 600 ft in the final 2.75 miles. Total elevation gain today is 600 ft, while total loss is 1,900 ft. Options for longer hikes may add more elevation gain/loss.

• Day 4 Hike through two of Escalante National Monuments most accessible slot canyons today before enjoying a final night at our Bryce Canyon REI Signature Camp.

  The smell of pinion pine and juniper mingled with fresh coffee and steaming hot breakfast begins a new day. Within just 45 minutes of our private Bryce Canyon Base Camp are two of the most accessible and enjoyable slot canyon hiking adventures in Escalante National Monument, a lesser-known but equally spectacular region of southern Utah. Arriving at the mouth of our morning's first slot, we'll pause to learn about the unique natural forces that have formed the canyon along with some basics of slot canyon navigation before we begin. Our selected canyons involve no technical rope travel, but we'll squeeze our way through some tight spots and make use of some new skills like "bridging" and "chimneying" as we explore Willis Creek slot. We'll be feeling pretty good about our newfound canyoneering skills as the route reaches its end, and in nearby Kodachrome Basin we find an idyllic spot for another of our guides' great picnic spreads. After refueling, we'll take it up a notch as we make our way to Round Valley Draw for one more slot canyon adventure. Dropping into Round Valley Draw will put all our new canyoneering skills to work as we navigate a few tight vertical spaces and enormous boulders lodged between the canyon walls. These two hidden slot canyons provide a really special view into what makes Escalante National Monument such an important and unique environment, and are completely distinct from the hikes we'll have already enjoyed at Zion and Bryce. Tonight, we'll enjoy a final relaxing evening in our Base Camp, complete with a farewell dinner and celebration.

  Hiking: 8-10 miles. 5-7 hours. Both of today's slot canyon hikes are between 4 and 5 miles each, and our turnaround point in each canyon is flexible. We plan to descend first into Willis Creek, where we lose 250 ft in elevation steadily in the first 2.5 miles before returning the same way we entered. Total elevation gain/loss for Willis Creek is around 250 ft. At Round Valley Draw, we lose 100 ft in the first mile before we enter the slot itself then lose another 200 ft over the next 1.5 miles before returning the way we entered. Total elevation gain/loss for Round Valley Draw is 300 ft, and total for the day with both hikes combined is 550 ft. Round Valley Draw requires hikers to use their hands and feet and to wedge at times through tight, narrow spaces.

• Day 5 Say goodbye to Southern Utah with a return hike to the rim through Bryce Canyon’s famed hoodoos before returning to Las Vegas where our adventure ends today.

  Today, we enjoy our final in camp breakfast before transferring a quick five minutes by van to the Tropic trailhead, the jumping off point for the final hike of our adventure. We'll climb through the hoodoos and ascend a section of the renowned Peekaboo Loop to arrive at Bryce Point for our final views of the park. Loading the van, we return finally to Las Vegas where our trip ends. En route, we'll make a stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch at Zion's northwestern Canyons of the Kolob. After snapping a few final panoramic shots, we'll complete the rest of drive, arriving in Las Vegas between 4 and 5 p.m. Please do not schedule a departing flight prior to 8 p.m.

  Hiking: 3 miles. 2 hours. From the Tropic trailhead, our hike gradually ascends 1250 ft over 3 miles, averaging just over 400 ft per mile, with a few short downhill sections to break up the climb.

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.

Four nights camping in our exclusive Zion and Bryce Canyon REI Base Camps; guide leadership; round trip van transportation from Las Vegas; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; beverages including coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate; extra-thick sleeping pads; all group camping equipment; park fees and local taxes.

Flights to/from Las Vegas, NV; airport transfers; alcoholic beverages; sleeping bag; guides gratuities.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

We make it easy for solo travelers. If you request single accommodations REI will provide you with your own tent at no additional charge. If you are willing to share a tent, we will assign you a same gender tent-mate if one is available. Please be advised that there are a limited number of tents and single tents are assigned first-come, first-served.

During most months this high desert region receives very little precipitation. However, please be prepared for the possibility of rain. The temperature difference between Zion and Bryce/Escalante is commonly 20 degrees. Generally, spring and fall high temperatures will be in the 60s-70s in Bryce and in the 80s-90s in Zion. Bear in mind that the dry air and ample shade created by the canyon walls will also make the temperatures feel slightly cooler. While daytime temperatures between Zion and Bryce will vary, our REI Base Camps are at roughly the same elevation so temperatures in camp in the evenings, at night and in the mornings will be roughly the same, generally in the 40s-50s.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should have some previous hiking experience and be in good physical condition. We recommend a conditioning regimen beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure that includes hiking (preferably), walking or some other form of cardiovascular exercise (swimming, cycling) in order to prepare for the activity in this adventure. There are some steep sections and exposed overlooks on the various trails we hike. All hikes are optional and our guides will be sure to brief trip members on the vigorousness and exposure of each hike prior to setting out. Our comfortable Base Camps and knowledgeable guides make this a perfect adventure for novices and experienced campers alike.

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 at the time of your initial reservation, 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.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation. This gear list is provided to help you in choosing your equipment and clothing for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing (including hiking boots) and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed. Pack your camera and film in your carry-on, too.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Consider also bringing wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure hiking boots are broken-in. Bring blister treatment in your personal first-aid kit. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• Snacks: Plenty of food and snacks will be available at all times during the trip. Should you bring your own snacks or powdered drinks, store them in the lock boxes in the kitchen area with the other food items. Never leave food in the tents or in your daypack unattended. Animals will chew through packs and tents to get to the food.
• Water shoes should be shoes that you don't mind hiking in wet, since our Narrows hike will be mostly in water. Old tennis shoes work, as do Keen sandals or another water shoe with a heel strap. Flip flops fall off and are easily lost, so they should be avoided.