Appalachian Mountain Club
Best of the Desert Southwest
September 10- September 24, 2005
Hello! We are delighted that you are interested in this exciting trip! Please read the
information carefully, and then contact us if you have specific questions about this trip: Dave
Mihalek 203-734-2665 or Carl Rosenthal 603-447-1858; crosenthal789@msn.com . For
general questions about the AMC’s Major Excursions, email AMCexcursions@outdoors.org .
LOCATION
We will be enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. We’ll begin by
exploring one of the wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. We’ll hike down from the
North Rim to stay overnight at Phantom Ranch at the very bottom of the Canyon and then we’ll
hike up to the South Rim the next morning. A highlight of our trip will be a climb of majestic
12,633 ft. Humphries Peak, the highest peak in Arizona. We’ll be visiting beautiful Petrified
Forest National Park and Canyon De Chelly National Monument with it’s sheer 1000 ft. walls,
many scenic overlooks and Anasazi ruins. Our trip will conclude with some fine hiking in two
of the jewel’s of America’s national park system - Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion
National Park. We’ll be awed by the spectacular geological formations and colors of Bryce and
the high plateaus, deep canyons and sheer monoliths of Zion.
TYPICAL PARTICIPANTS
You should enjoy traveling and be comfortable traveling in areas which are unfamiliar to you.
You should recognize that you may find yourself in closer quarters or be less comfortable than
you are used to at home. If you are a loner, if you cannot accept and enjoy being part of a
group, if you are not a team player who is willing to help your fellow travelers and contribute to
their having a great time, then please do not register for this excursion.
This day-hiking trip is designed for experienced hikers. You must be able to hike 8 to 10 miles
a day at a moderate pace easily, with moderate elevation gains, while carrying enough equipment
to keep you safe in the event of bad weather or injury.
Itinerary
Sat., Sep. 10: Fly to Las Vegas, Nevada, buy some lunch supplies and stay over night.
Sun., Sep. 11: We’ll get up early to drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in order to
catch the shuttle to the North Rim, where we will be in position to begin to really appreciate the
beauty of the remarkable natural wonder called the Grand Canyon. We will check into our
cabins, have dinner and possibly enjoy the evening stars.
Mon., Sep. 12: We will get up early again and hike down 14 miles on the North Kaibab Trail
to the bottom of the Canyon to explore this unique area and to spend the night at Phantom
Ranch.
Tue., Sep. 13: It’s time for what is probably the most demanding hike on our trip. We’ll be sure
to get up early to hike in as cool temperatures as possible. We must climb up about 4,500 feet
on the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim. Once there we’ll explore this overly popular area
by walking along the Rim and visiting many of the facilities.
Wed., Sep. 14: We’ll drive to Grandview Point (the name speaks for itself) to begin the hike on
the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, one of best hikes in the Grand Canyon. It’s 3 miles to
the Mesa where we can view the remaining mining relics. After the hike we will drive to
Flagstaff, Arizona to do some food shopping and to spend the night.
Thu., Sep. 15: One of the highlights of our trip will be the 3,150 foot climb to 12,633 foot
Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona. Panoramic views from the summit are
awe-inspiring. We should be able to see to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Lowell
Observatory to the west, as well as a domed Arizona stadium in Flagstaff and the Painted Desert.
On the northwest horizon are magnificent white buttes that look like grand monuments. After
the hike we will return to Flagstaff to spend the night.
Fri., Sep. 16: Today we will explore Petrified Forest National Park. The “forest” is a bunch of
impressive, horizontal, fossilized logs, scattered over a wide area. We will take the splendid 28
mile scenic drive with many pullovers, some with short walks to the logs. We’ll also visit the
Painted Desert Visitor Center where we will learn how the logs became fossilized and the
Rainbow Forest Museum where there are giant reptile skeletons. We’ll head to Chinle, Arizona
to spend the night.
Sat., Sep. 17: Canyon De Chelly National Monument begins in Chinle where the canyon walls
are only a few feet high, but soon increase until they top out at about 1,000 feet in the depths of
the canyon. We’ll be taking a beautiful scenic drive with excellent views into the splendid
scenery of the canyon and distant views of the uninhabited pueblos in the canyon walls. We’ll
also be hiking the White House Trail to a pueblo that dates to between 1040 and 1284 AD and is
one of the largest in the monument. We will spend another night in Chinle.
Sun., Sep. 18: We will drive to our motel just outside Bryce Canyon National Park and spend
some time exploring the huge Ruby’s Inn complex there.
Mon., Sep. 19: The Navajo Loop visits world famous hoodoo formations such as Wall Street,
Twin Bridges and Thor’s Hammer. The longer Peekaboo Loop will allow us to visit the Wall of
Windows, The Organ, The Three Wisemen, The Cathedral, the Hat Shop formations and the
Silent City. We’ll also have many views of mountains, plateaus and the Boat Mesa in the
distance. We pass through the Queen’s garden complex between the loops and see Gulliver’s
Castle, the Queen’s Castle and, perhaps, the most famous formation of all, Queen Elizabeth.
Tue., Sep. 20: Today’s hike, the Fairyland Loop, will give us more reason to see why almost
everyone loves to hike in Bryce Canyon. On this 8 mile hike we’ll visit the Chinese Wall and
have many views of spectacular rock formations. After the hike we will drive to our motel, just
outside Zion National Park.
Wed., Sep. 21: Today we will hike from the floor of Zion Canyon to the rimrock that soars
high above it. There are excellent views along the way, featuring the lower reaches of Zion
Canyon, a look at the narrow slot of Echo Canyon and views of the cliffs above upper Echo
Canyon during the final climb. From Observation Point, our destination, we will have inspiring
views down Zion Canyon. We’ll also see The Great White Throne looming to the south and
Red Arch Mountain with it’s lofty alcove reminiscent of a cathedral nave.
Thu., Sep. 22: Occupying the center of the Big Bend of Zion Canyon, the Angel’s Landing
summit commands a spectacular 360-degree panorama of rugged spires and towering walls.
Highlights include the Great White Throne, Red Arch Mountain and the entrance to the Narrows.
The climb is very exciting, making use of chains and “Walter’s Wiggles”, stoneworks, regarded
as one of the engineering marvels of the park. After this hike there should be time to explore
the beginning of the Narrows of the Virgin River and, hopefully, to take the short, but rewarding
hike to The Watchman viewpoint.
Fri., Sep. 23: Before driving back to Las Vegas and our Farewell Dinner, we will tour the
Lower and Middle Emerald Ponds. Along the way to the Pools, we’ll have views of Lady
Mountain, The Spearhead, Mount Majestic, Red Arch Mountain, Deer Trap Mountain and the
Great White Throne.
Sat., Sep. 24: Fly home
ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying at comfortable motels - 2 nights in Las Vegas, 1 night at the North Rim of
Grand Canyon National Park, 1 night at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, 1
night at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, 2 nights in Flagstaff, Arizona, 2 nights in
Chinle, Arizona, 2 nights just outside Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah and 3 nights just
outside Zion National Park, Utah.
Trip Leader – Dave Mihalek
Dave has been an AMC member since the mid 70's and has led many day hikes.
He has led weekend hiking trips for 25 years and has led week-long trips to Virginia several
times. He led a Major Excursion to the Sierras in California in 2000 & 2003, to Glacier in 2001,
the Desert Southwest in 2002 and Washington state in 2004. He has served as Chair of the
Connecticut Chapter Nominating Committee and has served in various other positions over the
years. He has completed the SOLO basic First Aid Course and the Heart Saver CPR Course. He
has been a participant in a major excursion to Poland and the former Czechoslovakia. Dave has
hiked the New England 4,000 footers, New Hampshire and most of New England in winter, the
Coast-to-Coast Walk in England, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and many other hikes in Europe and
the western United States.
Address
Phone
62 Derbyshire, Derby, CT 06418
(203) 734-2665
Trip Co-Leader – Carl Rosenthal
Carl has been a member of the AMC since 1984 and has led numerous day and weekend hiking
trips. He co-led Major Excursions to the Sierras in California in 2000 and 2003 and Glacier
National Park in 2001 and the Desert Southwest in 2002 and Washington state in 2004. He has
led trips to Big Bend and Guadalupe Peaks in 2002 and 2003 and New Mexico in 2004. He is a
Past Chair of the Connecticut Chapter and is presently a hike leader for the Maine and New
Hampshire Chapters. He has completed the SOLO basic First Aid Course and the Heart Saver
CPR Course. He has been a hike leader at August Camp and an instructor at the AMC-ADK
Winter School. He has been a participant in Major Excursions to Austria and parts of the
former Soviet Union. Mr. Rosenthal has hiked the 115 Northeast 4,000 footers in winter and
has stood on the highest points in the contiguous 48 states.
Address
58 Overlook Drive, Center Conway, NH 03813
Phone
603-447-1858
Email address
crosenthal789@msn.com
TRIP COST
The approximate cost for the trip is $2,500. This will cover the following items:
Round trip airfare to Las Vegas, Nevada
All lodging
All dinners
Breakfast at Phantom Ranch
All transportation while on the trip
AMC Excursion Fee
All National Park and Monument entrance fees
Not included:
All breakfasts except at Phantom Ranch and lunches. We will stop at various supermarkets so
participants can buy trail lunches and/or breakfasts.
The approximate cost for the excursion is based on quotes at the time the trip was submitted to
the Major Excursions Committee (October, 2004). The final cost of the trip will be adjusted in
accordance with the best arrangements we can make with the airlines and any savings we might
enjoy or increases we might have to endure.
Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing some of the leaders’
costs, but not all of them. Any unspent funds will be refunded to all participants. The trip fee
also includes an AMC overhead charge to cover the administrative expenses of offering Major
Excursions. This charge amounts to 10% of land costs.
How to Proceed
If you would like to go on this trip, complete the Application Form on the last page of this
document and enclose a check for the $800 registration fee made out to the Appalachian
Mountain Club and mail to:
Dave Mihalek, 62 Derbyshire, Derby, CT 06418
If you are accepted onto the trip you will also be asked to fill out and mail back an
Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release & Indemnity Agreement, and a
Confidential Medical Form both of which will be emailed to you.
The balance of $1,700 is due by June 10, 2005.
When registration is complete, the trip leader will send all participants the names, addresses and
phone numbers of those going on the trip. Trip leaders prefer to use email as a primary source
of communication.
CANCELLATIONS
The AMC cancellation policy is based on the simple precept that your cancellation shall not raise
the cost of the trip to any of the participants or the leaders. Therefore, if you cancel, your refund
will be all that you have paid, less expenses already incurred and future expenses which can not
be avoided. If you cancel and the trip still fully books, then your fees will be refunded in full
with the exception that, after airline tickets have been purchased, you own the tickets and that
part of the fee cannot be refunded.
EXPERIENCE AND RISKS
You must be certain that you can hike up the 4,500 feet from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to
the South Rim. The grade is moderate and water is available every mile and a half for the last
four and one half miles and we are not in a rush to get there, but you will enjoy this and the rest
of the trip a lot more if you get out and hike quite a bit prior to the trip.
The hike to 12,633 foot Humphries Peak is the only hike on the trip where altitude is a factor. If
you experience altitude sickness, it will be necessary for you to turn around and go back to the
parking lot.
REQUIRED GEAR
Here is a list of suggestions for what to bring to have a good time on the trip. Most of the items
are things you would bring for an extended trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire,
please pay particular attention to the items to protect you from the sun: namely, good sunglasses,
a hat with a brim and lip protection and sun protection lotion with an SPF number of 30 or
greater.
Day pack
Personal first aid
Rain gear (both jacket and pants)
2 one liter water bottles
Wool or pile hat or balaclava
Wool or pile gloves or mitts
Extra pile or wool layer for warmth
Comfortable hiking boots and socks
Hiking shorts
Cotton or synthetic T-shirts
Long sleeve synthetic shirt
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sun protection lotion
Lip protection balm
Leisure clothes for travel and restaurants (moderate amount)
Personal toiletries
Toilet paper
Tevas, sandals and/or sneakers
Head lamp with extra batteries
Optional recommendations:
Bathing Suit
Camera
Ear plugs
Short gaiters to keep dust out of boots
Small knife (be sure to pack in check in luggage, not carry on)
Compass
Extra shoelace
Zip lock bags
Reading material for breaks in the action
We recommend hiking with a pole or poles, but if you don’t like them, that’s fine.
Application for Major Excursion to the Desert Southwest
Please print everything legibly
Name: ___________________________________ AMC Member ? ________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________
Phones: Daytime: ________________________ Evening: ________________________
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): ___________ Gender: _________________ Smoker? ______
Email Address: ___________________________________
Health or disabilities: (Please note any medical or physical restrictions) ______________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Name, address, and phone number of person to contact in case of emergency:
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Have you done mountain hiking previously? When and how often?
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please print a brief summary of your recent hiking /backpacking experience on the back of this
application.
How would you describe your physical condition and stamina? ____________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please print a description of how you maintain your physical condition on the back of this
application. For example, I run 5 miles four times a week.
Have you gone on other AMC Major Excursions? _____ If so, who were the
leaders?____________________________________________________________
If this trip is filled, do you wish to be placed on a waiting list? _____________________
Are willing to be a driver or co-driver on this trip? _________________________