Spring In The Desert

Trail Leader: Brad Peterson

Trip Dates: April 26-May 3

Trip Description:

We will cruise through southern Utah exploring arches, hoodoos, caves, dinosaur footprints and a whole lot of sand and warmth. Toward the end of the trip we will visit grand bench. This is one of the most remote destinations I have led people to and it truly is worth it.

Off-Road Miles: Approximately 360

Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. There will be some obstacles which I consider difficult however there are only a few and they are primarily on grand bench.

----Vehicle Recommendations----

High Clearance 4x4

Off-road capable tires (plus wheel key)

Full-size spare

Frame mounted tow points front and back

----Recommended Equipment----

20,000+lb Tow Strap or Recovery/Snatch Strap

2x Shackles

----Minimum Recommended Equipment----

Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit/Personal Medication

Extra Water

Extra Fuel

Vehicle Unique Tools

Warm Emergency Clothing

----Radio Comms: HAM----

Primary 146.550 

Secondary 146.580

----Meeting Location/Time----

Due to the long stretch to start the trail we will be taking off from Grand Junction on Saturday April 26 at 8am. Jenn and I are planning to head up to Grand Junction on Friday afternoon and getting a hotel for the night.

We will meet at the city market in the western section of Grand Junction.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LsZgq2pWebi8WXsn9?g_st=ic

----Time to Trail Head----

5 hours from Grand Junction to Bryce Canyon. We are not going to Bryce this is just where the trip starts.

Please make sure you arrive with a full tank of fuel and all of the necessities required for the duration of the trip. There is a gas station at city market as well as restrooms and last minute items if they are needed. Please arrive early if you need to take care of these needs.

Documents/Fees/Permits Needed:

We will be traversing through the coral pink sand dunes and you will need a permit. They are $15 per vehicle.

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/park-fees/

—-Camping—-

We'll be camping at all dispersed locations. With that in mind, bring appropriate gear for packing out your trash, and a portable toilet.

Itinerary:

Day 1 | Drive to the trail head and head down past Bryce Canyon. Visit little Bryce Canyon before finding camp.

Day 2 | Drive south onto Skutumpah road and traverse west to the great chamber and eventually to peek a boo slot canyon.

Day 3 | Drive west towards belly of the dragon and head south to moccasin mountain dinosaur track site. Find a campsite.

Day 4 | Head NE to the coral pink sand dunes. Obtain day use pass if you do not already have one (May be best to wait to get a day pass until we are there.) and we will trek through the sand dunes (recommend a flag for your vehicle if you want to trek onto the dunes) and exit the dunes to the NE where we will visit the south fork Indian pictographs before heading out to find a camp spot.

Day 5 | Head to Kanab, on the way we will visit the Moqui caverns and another set of dinosaur tracks before refueling in Kanab. We will then head east to inchworm arch and Nephi pasture. We will find camp somewhere in this area.

Day 6 | Continue east to the Paria ruins and ghost town. After exploring this area we will head to sidestep canyon and explore that area prior to finding a camp spot for the night.

Day 7| Head south to Big water, Utah. Check in with the visitor center on road conditions prior to filling up and heading out to Grand Bench. The end of Grand bench is the camp spot unless we encounter bad wind then we will have to trek back to cover.

Day 8| Take Croton road north to left hand collet and onto hole in the rock road where we can head to Cedar wash arch and Covered Wagon natural bridge if there is time.

Day 9| Head home.

We may skip one of these stops if it appears we will not complete Grand Bench in time.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:

2 Weeks Before Trip = 50% Refund

1 Week Before Trip = No Refund

No Show = No Refund

*While we understand unforeseen circumstances and emergencies occur, if there is any reason that you need to cancel within these timeframes, please reach out to us to discuss.