Grand Staircase Escalante

MEETING TIME AND PLACE

This trip will meet at 1:00pm MST at Western Spirit Cycling, 478 Mill Creek Drive, Moab, Utah. After loading the van, we will drive to the Boulder Mountain Lodge for our first night. The drive is approximately 4 1/2 hours. Lunch will not be provided on Sunday but we will be happy to pick you up at your hotel, please call us Mon-Fri, 9-5 to schedule your pickup. You may meet us in Hanksville, Utah at 3:30 pm if this is more suitable to your travel plans. Please call us for specific instructions.

ENDING TIME AND PLACE

We will return to Western Spirit between 5:00-6:00 pm on the last day

ITINERARY

TRIP DAY 1

Our tour will meet in the afternoon in Moab and begin with a shuttle through Utah's most spectacular and largely undiscovered territory. The dynamics of the terrain include the San Rafael Swell, the sandstone domes of Capitol Reef National Park, the "Mars-like" landscape of Hanksville and finally aspen swept Boulder Mountain. We will land at the charming Boulder Mountain Lodge where you can walk the grounds as the sun sets over the Escalante canyons. We will dine together at Hell's Backbone Grill, the Lodge's intimate restaurant serving five-star cuisine, and anticipate the week's events.

TRIP DAY 2

After spending a comfortable night at the Boulder Mountain Lodge in Boulder, Utah we'll begin our first ride. Today's route takes us along one of the most scenic drives in all of Utah. We'll head west towards the town of Escalante along the area known as the hogback, with incredible views in all directions. The unique geology and complicated canyons of the Escalante River are quite mind boggling. We will descend from the hogback to Calf Creek where we'll leave our bikes and embark on the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls. This is a six mile hike which includes a great introduction to desert plants, incredible views of Anasazi granaries, some haunting petroglyphs and of course a visit to the falls. After our hike, we will shuttle or ride back to the Boulder Mountain Lodge for our second night. TOTAL MILEAGE - 10-20 miles of riding, 6 miles of hiking

TRIP DAY 3

From the lodge, we'll begin a downhill ride on the Burr Trail through the newly established Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. After years of controversy, the first 30 miles of this trail have been paved. The ride begins on a high plateau named Durffy Mesa, which is surrounded by interesting slickrock formations. As we drop into the narrows of Long Canyon, sheer sandstone walls rise for several hundred feet above us. Along the way we'll pass through The Gulch, the Circle Cliffs and Deer Creek Recreation Area. A moderate climb brings us to Studhorse Peaks, our "camp with a view" for the next two nights. Our 270 degree view includes the Henry Mountains, Boulder Mountain and Navajo Mountain, a sacred religious place for the Navajos. TOTAL MILEAGE - 30 miles

TRIP DAY 4

Today we will do a loop from camp on the Wolverine Loop Road. The road provides some great swooping downhill sections interspersed with a few rolling climbs. We begin in the pinyon and juniper trees and drop down below the Wingate Sandstone. Views of the Henry Mountains, which rise 7,000 feet from the surrounding countryside, are spectacular. Lunch will be at the entrance to the Wolverine Petrified Wood Area where we can learn even more about the vast natural history of our surroundings. After lunch we'll pedal through Horse Canyon and Wolverine Canyon, where the road and the drainage become one. At the junction of the Burr Trail, we'll load into the van for a quick shuttle back to camp. The hearty may opt to ride the nine miles. TOTAL MILEAGE - 28-37 miles

TRIP DAY 5

As we ride out of camp today, in the foreground lies the twisted rock formations of the Waterpocket Fold. As we enter Capitol Reef National Park, the contrast of the mountains and canyons creates a dramatic interface. After a quick five miles, we'll turn off the Burr Trail and ride out to the trailhead at Upper Muley Twist Canyon. At the beginning of our hike, we'll have a wonderful view looking right up the Fold. This canyon was named by the Mormons who arrived in their wagons. They said traveling through the canyon would "twist a mule." At this point, we will still be traveling in the shadow of the Henrys, the last mountain range to be mapped and explored in the lower 48 states. Free roaming buffalo herds are still part of the mountain ecosystem. After our hike we'll head back to the Burr Trail for lunch at the top of the Water Pocket Fold switchbacks. Descending the spectacular switchbacks places us at the base of the fold where we head south to our camp at the Brimhall Arch Overlook. This camp is memorable. TOTAL MILEAGE - 29 miles of riding, 1 mile of hiking

TRIP DAY 6

After leaving camp this morning, we will ride the most primitive section of the entire tour. Along this double track road, we will experience a few short, technical sections as we cross a series of drainages. Our route will parallel Muley Twist Canyon to the west and Bullfrog Creek to the east. Once we hit the pavement, our ride is all downhill to Bullfrog Bay, on the shores of Lake Powell. Lake Powell is a 200 mile long manmade lake formed by the controversial damming of the Colorado River. Despite the fact that so much fascinating country now lies underwater, the lake itself is quite beautiful. Along the shoreline, red rock cliffs drop sharply into its clear waters creating a stunning scene. TOTAL MILEAGE- 16 miles

TERRAIN

Riding Surface: Variable, dirt roads, broken slickrock, clay, pavement.

Technical Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Altitude: 4,000 - 8,000 feet.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

GETTING THERE

-Driving

Moab is located 30 miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 191. We have a roomy parking area.

-Flying into Salt Lake City, UT

Airport Code: SLC

From Salt Lake City there are 2 options.

1) Rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 4 hours. You can park at our shop while you are on your tour.

2) Contact Moab Luxury Coach at 435-940-4212 to make a reservation. They have a limited schedule, so please contact them to find get rates and days they drive.

-Flying into Grand Junction, CO

Airport Code: GJT

From Grand Junction there are now 2 options.

1) Rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 2 hours. You can park at our shop while you are on your tour.

Thrify Car Rental has an office in Moab 435-259-7317.

2) Contact Moab Luxury Coach at 435-940-4212 to get rates and days that they drive.

-Flying into Moab

Great Lakes Aviation flies from Denver to Moab for $99 each way. They have two flights daily. Scheduled flight times and additional pricing can be found on their website. Or call 800-554-5111 to make a reservation.

For a shuttle from the Moab Airport into town call Coyote Shuttle at 435-259-8656, or Rising Star Taxi at 435-210-4438.

LODGING

It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead and here are a few recommendations.

Best Western Canyonlands Inn

$160-230

435-259-5167, 800-528-1234

Ramada Inn

$100-200

888-989-1988, 435-259-7141

The Ramada is where the Bighorn Express shuttle from Salt Lake City stops.

Red Stone Inn

$70-90

800-772-1972, 435-259-3500

They have a bike work station with stand and bikes are allowed in your room.

Big Horn Lodge

$90 and up

800-325-6171, 435-259-6171

Cali Cochitta B&B

$125-165

888-429-8112, 435-259-4961

Apache Motel

$50-75

800-228-6882, 435-259-5727

Dream Keeper Inn

$125-185

888-230-3247, 435-259-3247

The Gonzo Inn

$160 and up

800-791-4044, 435-259-2515

Up the Creek Campground

$25-30, $6 showers

435-260-1888

Moab/Canyonlands Central Reservations

800-505-5343

Central Reservations represents every variety of lodging in Moab and will help you choose the ideal room for you.

Above rates are approximate.

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

You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! When you arrive for your tour, we will give you a dry bag in which to pack your gear. If you have 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 moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwords. 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 Western Spirit Cycling, 478 Mill Creek Dr, Moab, UT 84532; 435-259-8732. It is critical that you include your name 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. There is no Saturday delivery to Moab. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.

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

BREAKFAST

The Moab Diner, 189 S. Main St - classic greasy spoon, great service

Jail House Café, 101 N. Main St - up scale menu w/ eggs Benedict and ginger pancakes

Red Rock Bakery, 74 S. Main St - fresh baked bagels, muffins, scones

LUNCH

The Peace Tree, 20 S. Main St - juice bar, smoothies, wraps

Slickrock Café, Main and Center St - full menu

DINNER

Banditos Grill, 467 N. Main - great Mexican

Zax Woodfire Pizza, 96 S. Main - pizza, burgers, etc

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

The Center Café, 100 West, 435-259-4295 - award winning globally inspired cuisine

Buck's Grill House, 1393 Highway 191, 435-259-5201 - excellent steaks

The Desert Bistro, 92 E. Center, 435-259-0756 - great southwestern food

BOOKS

The books listed below can be purchased by calling Canyonlands Natural History Association at 800-840-8978 or checking out http://www.cnha.org/.

DESERT SOLITAIRE by Edward Abbey

This is the quintesenitial Abbey tale, and a thought provoking historical view of Moab.

THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG by Edward Abbey

This early tail of the environmental struggle is set in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park.

MAPS

Your guides will have all the maps necessary for your trip. If you would like your own copy for a souvenir, here is all the info:

The maps listed below can also be purchased by calling Canyonlands Natural History Association at 800-840-8978 or checking out http://www.cnha.org/.

MOAB EAST, Latitude 40

This map covers many Moab area rides.

MOAB WEST, Latitude 40

This map covers the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Maze District/NE Glen Canyon NRA

National Geographic Trails Illustrated

This map covers the Maze.

ACTIVITIES

RIDES

For all rides we recommend the Moab East and West maps.

Gemini Bridges - a great 2-3 hour introductory ride which can be done with a shuttles, we recommend Acme Shuttle at 435-260-2534 or Coyote Shuttle at 435-259-8656.

Porcupine Rim - a more advance 3 to 6 hour 20-30 mile adventure that can also involve the shuttle companies above.

Amasa Back - Take the Kane Creek Road off Main Street by Burger King and head out along the Colorado River through the Moab Valley Portal. This ride is an out-and-back and can be fun even if you don't make it past the pavement.

RIVER TRIPS

Canyon Voyages, 800-773-6007 - whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Colorado River, including half-day, full-day, and multi-day options

HIKES

Arches National Park, 435-719-2299, 5 miles North of Moab on Highway 191 - hike to the famous Delicate Arch (4 miles round trip) or explore the Windows section of the Park. Whether you have a hole day or just a few hours, Arches is worth the trip.

Other Hikes - There are literally hundreds of hikes in the Moab area, we recommend Negro Bill Canyon or Hidden Valley if you have some time to explore.

SHOPPING

Main Street in Moab - Almost all of Moab's shops can be reached by strolling down Main Street. You can find everything from silver Navajo jewelry to toy lizards.