Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is truly the crown jewel of Arches National Park. It is a natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls. While most of the tourists visiting the park are focused on seeing the beautiful arches such as Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch, an entire world of monolith sandstone fins and towering narrow sandstone canyons awaits within the Fiery Furnace. It is very, very easy to get lost in the Fiery Furnace. Trails are not marked and routes are unclear. Once you are within the central area of the Fiery Furnace you could literally get lost for hours, walk around in circles in confusion, and completely lose your sense of direction. On hot days, which are common in Moab, Utah during the summer, a lost hiker could be in a lot of trouble. For our visit to the Fiery Furnace, we will be led by a National Park Service Ranger.

Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch, the quintessential formation of Arches National Park, is a spectacular natural arch, and one of the most photographed natural wonders of the world. The arch—once known as “Cowboy Chaps,” thanks to its resemblance to the leather leg coverings worn by many a rancher—teeters on the rim of a sandstone bowl with the scenic La Sal Mountains as a backdrop. This icon of the American Southwest remains as one of the most rewarding hikes in the national park system, due in part to the reward of seeing the massive span glow a fiery red in the alpenglow of sunset. To reach Delicate Arch, set out for the Wolfe Ranch parking lot—locate the trailhead and then pass by the Wolfe Cabin, cross a footbridge over Salt Wash, and head for the slickrock—the route gains 480 feet in 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip). As mentioned before, a highlight of a visit to Delicate Arch is seeing it at sunset.

Devils Garden Trail
Devils Garden is the second most-visited section of Arches National Park, after Delicate Arch, and home to the longest trail in the park: a 7.2-mile loop touring 7 different arches, all spectacular. Many visitors hike the shortened version of the loop: 1 mile along a paved path to Landscape Arch, with 2 short optional detours to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch along the way. If you are looking for more, continue up the slickrock fins to see Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, and Double O Arch. Only a small percentage of visitors complete the entire loop with a quick visit to Dark Angel and Private Arch before returning along the Primitive Trail and meeting back up with the rest of the crowd near Landscape Arch where the paved path starts up again.

Dead Horse Point
Dead Horse Point State Park is one of Utah's most spectacular state parks. The view from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands' sculpted pinnacles and buttes. Millions of years of geologic activity created the spectacular views from Dead Horse Point State Park. Deposition of sediments by ancient oceans, freshwater lakes, streams and wind blown sand dunes created the rock layers of canyon country. Igneous activity formed the high mountains that rise like cool blue islands from the desert below. The legend of Dead Horse Point states that around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top. Cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.

Island in the Sky District
The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is renowned for elevated views of immense canyons. One of the best east-facing vistas is White Rim Overlook, which offers sweeping 300-degree views from the mid-point a 1.8-mile round trip hike. The transformative work the Colorado River lies below, a mesmerizing expanse of canyons. Along the canyon rim there is layer of white rock. This thick salt deposit stands out from the surrounding stone, giving the landscape an ethereal look. To the southeast, in an area known as Monument Basin, the White Rim balances strikingly atop stubborn buttes and hoodoos that the river could not carry away. Jeeps can be seen touring White Rim Road along the edge of the canyon, a thousand feet below.

Full-day Colorado River Rafting
Your journey begins with a drive up one of the most scenic highways in the West. You’ll launch your raft onto a spectacular stretch of the Colorado River, made famous by dozens of movies shot along this stretch of the river. You’ll experience moderate rapids such as Onion Creek, Cloudburst, Rocky Rapid, and Whites Rapid. On long, calm stretches between rapids, you’ll have plenty of time to cool down and float with your life jacket in the river. At lunch time, we'll stop at a beautiful riverside ranch where you can kick up your feet in the shade and savor a hot BBQ lunch. 2 Boat choices available - Paddle rafts (everyone participates) and 2-person inflatable kayaks (weather, temperatures and water levels permitting).

Sulphur Creek
Capitol Reef National Park in central Utah affords hikers a huge variety of adventures. Slot canyons, slickrock trails, and ancient rock art are just a few of the highlights awaiting those who seek them. There is also the amazing Sulphur Creek hike, and while not officially a park trail, this one is a must-see. Sulphur Creek is one of those rare desert hikes that has it all: a year round stream, red rock vistas, a section of slot canyon and even a portion of goosenecks all nestled under walls that sometimes top 800 feet high. Grab your water shoes and a camera, it’s time to get wet!

(Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner included)

Day 0 - Saturday, May 11, 2019:
First stop at Van Nuys Flyaway at 9:00am. Depart Van Nuys Flyaway at 9:30am for second stop at Fontana. Arrive in Fontana at 10:30am and depart at 11:00am for Barstow. Have lunch in Barstow and then head straight to Richfield, UT to check into hotel.

Day 1 - Sunday, May 12, 2019: (B, L, HH, D)

Have early breakfast and load gear at 8:00am. Depart for Arches at 8:30am. We'll arrive at Devils Garden Campground around 12:00pm MT. Set up tent and have lunch. Afterwards, we'll have a short hike near the campground.

Day 2 - Monday, May 13, 2019: (B, L, HH, D)

Split into two groups. Half the group will visit Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse. The other half will go on Fiery Furnace Tour in the morning, lunch at Dead Horse State Park, Canyonland Rim Overlook, and shower in Moab.

Day 3 - Tuesday, May 14, 2019: (B, L, HH, D)

Split into same two groups. Reverse the activities on Monday.

Day 4 - Wednesday, May 15, 2019: (B, L)

Mesa Verde National Park. Dinner is on your own.

Day 5 - Thursday, May 16, 2019: (B, L)

Full day of whitewater rafting with either paddle boat or 2 person inflatable kayak. Hot BBQ lunch will be served at riverside ranch. Visit Moab. You will have an opportunity to shower this day. Dinner is on your own.

Day 6 - Friday, May 17, 2019: (B, L, D)

Explore Devils Garden Trail, which consists of Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Wall Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Black Arch and Double O Arch. Hot lunch at campsite and then visit Delicate Arch in the afternoon.

Day 7 - Saturday, May 18, 2019: (B, L)

Pack up. Head to Capitol Reef National park, which is 3 hours away. Depending on river condition, we are going to hike Sulphur Creek, which is 5.3 miles and take roughly 5-6 hours. Afterwards, we will head to Mesquite, NV. Dinner is on your own.

Day 8 - Sunday, May 19, 2019: (B)

Check out of hotel at 10am. Depart for Los Angeles.

You may cancel 60 or more days prior to the start date and receive a full refund. Cancellation 14-59 days prior to trip start date will receive 50% refund. 0-13 days prior to trip start date will not receive any refund.