Transfer Option:

Day 1  Arrive at the scenic town of Torrey (with little over 200 population). Participants will meet at 8:00pm in the lobby of the inn/hotel.   Meeting and lodging locations will be specified upon reservation confirmation.  We will have an orientation and final packing session at this time.

Day 2  We'll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart at 9:00am for our trail head. The 25-mile ride through the Reef whets your appetite for riding through the seemingly impassible slickrock canyons.

Day 3
You awaken to the sound of the Pleasant Creek waterfalls and the aroma of breakfast cooking. After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Pleasant Creek base camp you'll ride 4-6 hours before returning to a hot shower and cold drinks with friends.

Day 4  Pass through Tantalus Flats and over the divide into Sheets Gulch, where prospectors in the 50's hoped the needles on their Geiger Counters would signal a lucky strike! In the gulch, we'll be rewarded by the shady cottonwoods and monkey flowers. The route back will allow us to relish the back lit pink and purple hues on the Chinle and Navajo cliffs. A welcomed meal and relaxation around the evening campfire round out the perfect day.

Day 5  After finding your way through the labyrinth of canyons which comprise the tributaries of Pleasant Creek we'll have the opportunity to see the eroding pictographs and Fremont pit houses of Spring Canyon.

Day 6  Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you will ride the length of the Sulfur Creek to the Slickrock Trail. We rendez-vous with our vehicles at Grover, you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a short vehicle ride along highway 12 . You'll arrive Torrey late afternoon.  

   **Subject to changes     

Camping Rides on the Colorado Plateau

April 21-26 & April 28-May 3 
San Rafael Swell & Hondoo Country 
-- Wild Horses at Muddy River Gorge & Red Canyon 

Utah's portion of the Colorado Plateau region is a semi-arid tableland or steppe ranging in elevation between 3,800 ft. and 11,500 ft. with vegetation classified as upper-Sonoran to Alpine. This landscape is famous for it's dynamic elevation changes with hundreds, even thousands, of feet changing literally in one step.
The key word in this description, as far as weather is concerned, is semi-arid. It is generally dry with most precipitation falling as snow in the winter and occasional thunder storms during the summer. Higher elevations are cooler and receive more moisture than lower environs. Our trips explore the lower slickrock and pinyon-juniper forested areas on spring and fall trail rides. In the heat of the summer, ponderosa-pine or aspen-spruce forests form the backdrop for experiencing the canyonlands. Trip temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees daytime or 40 degrees at night. With warm days and cool nights, it is best to layer your clothing to maintain the utmost comfort and you should always pack rain gear just in case.

GENERAL CLIMATIC FEATURES:
Essentially, Utah's climate is determined by its distance from the equator; its elevation above sea level; the location of the State with respect to the average storm paths over the Inter-mountain Region; and its distance from the principal moisture sources of the area, namely, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Also, the mountain ranges over the western United States, particularly the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges and the Rocky Mountains, have a marked influence on the climate of the State. Pacific storms, before reaching Utah, must first cross the Sierras or Cascades. As the moist air is forced to rise over these high mountains, a large portion of the original moisture falls as precipitation. Thus, the prevailing westerly air currents reaching Utah are comparatively dry, resulting in light precipitation over most of the State.

TEMPERATURE:
There are definite variations in temperature with altitude and with latitude. Naturally, the mountains and the elevated valleys have the cooler climates, with the lower areas of the State having the higher temperatures. There is about a 3° F decrease in mean annual temperature for each 1,000-foot increase in altitude, and approximately 1.5 to 2° F decrease in average yearly temperature for each one degree increase in latitude. Thus, weather stations in the southern counties generally have average annual temperatures 6 to 8 degrees higher than those at similar altitudes over the northern counties.

PRECIPITATION:
Precipitation varies greatly, from an average of less than five inches annually over the Great Salt Lake Desert (west of Great Salt Lake), to more than 40 inches in some parts of the Wasatch Mountains. The average annual precipitation in the leading agricultural areas is between 10 to 15 inches, necessitating irrigation for the economic production of most crops. However, the mountains, where winter snows form the chief reservoirs of moisture, are conveniently adjacent to practically all farming areas, and there is usually sufficient water for most land under irrigation. The areas of the State below an elevation of 4,000 feet, all in the southern part, generally receive less than 10 inches of moisture annually.

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 to your comfort. We provide each guest with water-proof gear bags for personal items.

For riders under 18, a parent must sign a waiver if you choose not to wear a helmet.

Participants on our trail rides will be assisted with final packing during the pre-trip orientation, the evening prior to departure.

Additional expenses:

State of Utah sales tax, airfare, rental car, personal items and alcoholic beverages. You should note that trip prices have been discounted to reflect the added expense for car rental incurred in reaching Torrey. In the final analysis, the cost for this quality trip make it one of the best buys in the adventure travel market. Also, for those participants who appreciate a cold beer after an eventful day or relaxing around the campfire with a cocktail, enjoy, but bring spirits in unbreakable containers if possible.

A deluxe base camp 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.

Camps
All trail rides utilize a base camp arrangement with daily forays to different points of interest. This allows us to spend less time packing and unpacking, and more time riding and seeing the country. Campsites are located in primitive, backcountry areas which we seldom use more than once or twice each season. Low-impact environmental camping techniques are practiced. Tents provide our home away from home. Cook tent, dining tent and shower tent round out the facilities. Chairs are provided.

All trips feature deluxe provisions and complete outfitting. We strive to provide the highest level of comfort while practicing low impact, but non-primitive camping. Don't misunderstand us - we are not a white glove, tuck you into bed outfit. We do provide camp chairs, rustic shower, sleeping cot or 6' pad, tent, fresh food, iced drinks, etc., to make the trip most pleasant and restful.  The rides explore many of the most interesting physiographic sections or landforms located in the Colorado Plateau West of the Colorado River and the Green River.
Trail conditions range from good to rugged, over rough and rocky terrain. Distance covered between camps usually range from 6 to 12 miles (3 to 6 hours in the saddle) although longer or shorter days do occur. We sometimes divide the group and approach camp from different trails, with one group going the rugged or longer route and the other taking the gentler way. Side rides from camp are customary on short days. Stops at scenic features and Indian rock art panels are common. Geology and history are emphasized. You may use your personal horse.

Meals are included from Lunch on Day 2 to Lunch on Day 6.

CAMPING Trail Rides Include:

*All taxes and land-use fees--nearly 10%.
*All ground transportation from Torrey, UT & return.
*First night motel lodging in Torrey.
*Four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry.
*All meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six, including fresh produce, hot and iced drinks.
*Canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy).
*Sleeping bag, cot and foam pad.
*Camp chairs, coolers and other camp amenities.
*Waterproof gear bags, water bottles, saddle bags and tack.
*Seasoned mountain horses.
*Guides/wranglers, cook, camp-jack and interpretative specialist.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.