Escalante Road Tour

MEETING TIME AND PLACE

This tour will begin at 7:30am MST at the Lexington, 850 South Bluff St., St. George, Utah, 435-628-4235. After loading up we will drive to the start of the ride, Cedar Breaks National Monument. You will need to spend the night in St. George because none of the shuttle services from Las Vegas or Salt Lake run early enough.

ENDING TIME AND PLACE

We will return to St. George between 3:00-4:00 pm on the last day. You will have time to catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas, but not to Salt Lake.

ITINERARY

TRIP DAY 1

We begin by shuttling up to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Here we are high on the Colorado Plateau with incredible views of the Cedar Breaks amphitheater. The formation runs for 3 miles and is over 2000 feet deep. This area is home to the Bristlecone Pine, some of which are over 1,600 years old. From here we will drop down to Panquitch Lake for lunch. Our afternoon ride takes us to the bike path along beautiful Red Canyon and the fabulous hoodoo formations of Bryce Canyon National Park, our home for the night. TOTAL MILEAGE - 53 miles

TRIP DAY 2

After a hearty breakfast, we head out to Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon, where an optional one hour hike brings us down into the canyon itself. Or we can continue riding to the end of the road and back, bringing our morning mileage to 38. After lunch near the visitor’s center, we will head east away from the park through the Kodachrome Basin. The geology of this area will continue to amaze you as the colors and styles of the rock seem to change along the route. We finish going up and over the pass to the small town of Escalante, where we will spend the night. TOTAL MILEAGE - 47 miles, plus morning options add 10-38

TRIP DAY 3

We will leave this morning and make our way through Escalante and beyond-- up, down and around through the Escalante Canyons and across the Escalante River and up to the Hogback. Here the road traverses a narrow ridge line with dramatic views off both sides. You simply have to stop a few times along this section to take it all in. Upon arriving at the Boulder Mountain Lodge there is time for an afternoon off and a soak in the hot tub. For the ambitious, one can get extra credit riding the Burr Trail through Long Canyon. The red rock of the Wingate formation rises straight up on both sides of the road as you drop off the plateau. Sadly the road turns to dirt after 35 miles, so a short shuttle back to the lodge is a good option. Dinner tonight will be at the world famous Hell’s Backbone Grill, where our friends Blake and Jenn make the most amazing meals from all local ingredients. TOTAL MILEAGE - 46 miles, plus Burr Trail out and back option - 18 to 35 miles

TRIP DAY 4

Today we begin with a good long climb away from the desert and on to the shoulder of Boulder Mountain. The road twists and turns as we leave the pinyon pine and juniper of the high desert and reach the alpine slopes. Views from the top include the Henry Mountains, the last range in North America to be explored and current home of native buffalo. The aspen trees will be spectacular as we crest the summit and begin the descent back down to the town of Torrey. Once in Torrey we'll head east to Capitol Reef National Park where the road twists and turns along the Fremont River. After checking out the visitor center we'll return to Torrey. We'll dine at the Café Diablo, another one of our absolute favorites. TOTAL MILEAGE - 38 miles, afternoon option adds 20 miles

TRIP DAY 5

Our last day will begin with a short shuttle to a lovely ride in Fishlake National Forest. An enjoyable climb will bring us back up into the aspens. Riding along this uncrowded road is a great time to reflect on each day's ride. Passing through the colorful aspens we will continue around Fish Lake before we end the trip with a perfect descent. After one last lunch, we will head back to St George. TOTAL MILEAGE - 30-35 miles

TERRAIN

Road riding

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

GETTING THERE

Driving
St. George is located 120 miles north of Las Vegas on Interstate 15.
There is parking available at the hotel.

Flying into St. George
Airport Code: SGU

Flying into Las Vegas, NV
Airport Code: LAS
There are two options for getting from Las Vegas to St. George.
1. Take a shuttle with St. George Shuttle, shuttle time is about 2 hours. The cost is $25 each way or $50 round trip. If you are traveling with your bike, it must be in a bike box and there is a $5 surcharge each way. Shuttles depart from the Las Vegas Airport and St. George nine times daily, keep in mind that St. George is one hour ahead of Las Vegas. Call 800-933-8320 for times and to make a reservation.
2. Rent a car in Las Vegas and park it at the hotel.

Flying into Salt Lake City, UT
Airport Code: SLC
There are two options for getting from Salt Lake City to St. George.
1. Take a shuttle with St. George Shuttle, shuttle time is about 5 hours. Call 800-933-8320 for times and to make a reservation.
2. Rent a car in Salt Lake, it is a 5 hour drive.

St. George Taxis
Quality Cab 435-656-5222
Taxi USA 435-656-1500

LODGING

It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead. Below are a few recommendations. Rates are approximate.

The Lexington
$69 - 89
435-628-4235
This is where the trip meets and ends. They are very friendly! Mention Western Spirit when you make your reservations to get the discounted rate.

Hampton Inn
$90-120
800-426-7866
They have a van service that will take you to the meeting place in the morning.

Comfort Suites
$70-100
800-428-0754

Ramada Inn
$80-120
888-704-8476

Best Western Abbey Inn
$80-120
888-222-3946

Budget Inn & Suites
$50 - 70
800-929-0790

WEATHER

There are really just two kinds of weather: weather you like and weather you do not like. Come prepared for both and you won't care what the weather does.

If you have questions about temperatures for your specific trip please feel free to give us a call 800-845-2453 or email us at biking@westernspirit.com. We will be happy to give you packing suggestions and help you with ideas for things to do before and after your bike trip.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
Temperatures average from lows in the 30's and 40's to highs in the 70's and 80's. You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Come prepared. Weather can be unpredictable. No matter what time of year it is, you should bring warm clothing and rain gear. Please pack all of your gear in a medium to large duffel bag. It will ride in the trailer. If you have any questions about anything on the list, please call us.

SHIPPING YOUR BIKE

You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a $160 fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.

To ship your bike UPS, send it to Red Rock Bicycles, 100 S. Bluff St , St. George, UT, 84770; 435-674-3185. It is critical that you include your name, "Western Spirit Cycling" and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. Your guides will pick up your bike and bring it to the hotel the morning of the trip.

If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.

THINGS TO DO

RESTAURANTS
The Painted Pony, located in Downtown St. George, offers casual fine dining. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. We love this place!

ACTIVITIES
If you are considering planning a special event in Zion National Park, in addition to your Western Spirit trip, and would like advice on activities there, contact Zion Events. Park activities include rock climbing, hiking, canyoneering, and road cycling.