The Appalachian Mountain Club
Major Excursion
Day Hiking in Bryce and Zion National Parks
September 18-25, 2009
Jim Lindsley, Leader
( lindsleyjr@aol.com
, 781-373-5354)
Jane Gibbons, Co-Leader
( patnjane@wildblue.net
, 207647-3987 ).

Explore intricately carved and sculpted Southwestern wilderness of cliffs, canyons, hoodoos, and pinnacles. Experience the enormity of geologic time and the beauty of delicate greens against the reds of Navaho Sandstone. Search for desert critters: mule deer, antelope, bighorn sheep; and wildflowers. Enjoy some of the most magnificent sunsets and night skies in North America, where we can expect to see meteors and the Milky Way along with the summer constellations and countless stars.
Enjoy daily 5-8 mi. comfortably-paced hikes with moderate elevation gains and grand views and warm summer evenings in the open. Trails include in Bryce NP: Navajo Loop and Fairyland; in Zion NP: Canyon Overlook, Emerald pools, Angel’s Landing, & the
Narrows of the Virgin River. A mix of motels/car camping. This trip is for experienced hikers in good physical condition & willing to help with camping and meal preparations.
Fri. Sept. 18 Flight to Las Vegas, Nevada
Day 1 We rendevous at the airport in Las Vegas and travel by van(s) 130 miles to
St. George for the night.
Sat. Sept. 19 Red Canyon & Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 2 We drive to Red Canyon and hike through red wind-sculptured rock formations on the Castle Ridge Trail (3.7 m 550’ gain). Then we drive to
Bryce Canyon (less than 20 m.) and set up camp. Then hike down into the
Amphitheater to witness Two Bridges, Thor’s Hammer, and Wall Street, with their spectacular red hoodoo towers on the Navajo Loop Hike (1.4 m.). Then we cook at camp that evening.
Sun. Sept. 20 Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 3
We remain in Bryce and hike the Fairyland Trail (8 m.2000’ gain) along the rim and into the canyon to Tower Bridge, seeing the Chinese Wall and many other spectacular rock formations. We spend this evening again in camp or attending ranger lecture.
Mon. Sept 21 Zion National Park
Day 4 We drive to Zion (90 miles) and hike on the East side first to the Canyon
Overlook (1 mi. 163’ gain) and then on the Cascading Falls Trail with its charming potholes and possibly cascading water spilling from one into another. The walls of the canyon are steep slickrock with towering sandstone monoliths leading to a true slot canyon.(2 m. 650’ gain) We freshen up with an overnight at a Travelodge and dinner out in Hurricane.
Tues. Sept 22 Zion National Park
Day 5 We climb steeply to Observation Point (8 m. 2200’ gain) with its dizzying drop offs and eye popping scenery, through Echo Canyon, Navajo

Sandstone to Temple Cap. Afterwards we set up camp and have free time. Evening cooking in camp. We hope to continue enjoying the
night skies, looking for meteors, appreciating the Milky Way, and, for
those interested, learning to identify constellations and stars.
Wed. Sept 23 Zion National Park
Day 6
In morning we hike Angel’s Landing (5 m.1500’ gain), a construction wonder, ascending 21 switchbacks culminating in spectacular views. It travels through a narrow ridge with support chains anchored in rock In the afternoon we hike Emerald Pool (2.3 m ) with its small waterfalls and majestic cliffs (2.3 m. 300’ gain) Again the evening is spent in camp or going to a ranger lecture.
Thurs. Sept 24 Zion National Park
Day 7 In morning after breaking camp, we shall wade up the Narrows of the
Virgin River. In the afternoon we shall drive back to Las Vegas,
staying at the Clarion Hotel and enjoy a fine buffet for our Farewell
Dinner.
Fri. Sept 25 Las Vegas
Day 8 Flights home.

The approximate cost of the trip is $890 plus airfare (estimated at $400-$500).
Inclusions:

All local ground transportation.

Twin sharing accommodations when not camping for three nights. o Fri, Sept. 18 o Mon, Sept. 21 o Thurs. Sept. 24

Camping permits.

Meals (excepting Monday evening out in Hurricane), including breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.

Entrance fees to activities as detailed within this prospectus.

All tips.

Maps and guidebooks necessary to complete a safe trip.

Basic Medical & Evacuation Insurance

AMC major excursion fee.
(Excluded are: Airfares (which will be handled separately on an individual basis). Extra snacks and beverages (except at group meals and hiking); tents, sleeping bags, eating plates, cups, utensils, lanterns, and other desired camping equipment (we shall see what we can do about sharing stoves and cookware), excess baggage fees for personal gear, laundry, medical and evacuation expenses (beyond what is covered in the AMC policy), and any other items of a personal nature not specifically detailed in this prospectus, including any optional activities and free day activities. Also excluded are insurances for trip cancellation/ interruption/delay, and lost baggage insurance (We highly recommend that participants purchase these items, see: http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/majorexcursions/risk-management-major-excursions.cfm
& http://www.travelinsuranceservices.com/select/index.asp?pcn=32551 ). Also exclude are any and all expenses resulting from delays arising beyond our direct control due to bad weather, trail, river, and/or road conditions; sickness; government action; and any other transportation delays for any reason beyond our control. Sufficient funds should be carried for these possibilities. Credits may not be available for group arrangements missed for the above reasons.)
Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing some but not all of the leaders’ costs. Beyond this, in accordance with AMC rules, the leaders may not realize a profit from this excursion. After the trip, the leaders will refund to the participants any unspent funds resulting from negotiating better rates for airfare, lodging, local transportation, etc. The trip fee also includes an AMC overhead cost to cover the

administrative expenses of offering major excursions, including the trip’s publication in
AMC Outdoors for several months.
Registration
If you would like to go on this trip, contact one of us. We can send you an
Application Form, which you can return along with a $300 deposit made out to the
Appalachian Mountain Club and mailed to:
Jim Lindsley, 20 Fairhope Road, Weston, MA 02493.
After we receive your application back, we shall call you to discuss the excursion with you. 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.
Deposits and Refund Policy
A deposit of $300 on registration to reserve a place on the excursion, another
$300 April 16, and final payment by May 15, 2009.
Cancellations will be accepted before the trip if place can be filled by waiting list or 100 days before the trip minus $125 processing fee. Otherwise our cancellation policy is based on the precept that your cancellation does not raise the costs to any of the other participants or the leaders. Therefore, if you cancel, we will refund any fees that you have paid minus expenses already incurred or unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred because of your registration. If you cancel and the trip still fully books, you should receive most of your money back. The only exception is that if you cancel after airline tickets have been purchased, then you own the tickets and that part of the fee cannot be refunded.
Jim Lindsley , the excursion leader, is an experienced AMC leader who has led many four-season hiking and backpacking trips in New England over the years. In recent years he has co-led Major Excursions to Bhutan , Torres Del Paine, and Northeast Greenland .
He has also been an instructor for over eighteen years for the Leadership Training
Program for the AMC Boston Chapter and is a member of the AMC New Hampshire
Four Thousand Footer Club. He has done extensive backpacks on Ellesmere Island in the
Canadian Arctic, the Brooks Range in Alaska, the Himalayas in Sikkim, and the Rockies and Sierra. He has also climbed in the Alps and Andes, with mountain hikes in Norway,
Japan, and Indonesia. Professionally he is a psychologist, teaching, supervising, and providing psychotherapy at various sites in the Greater Boston area.
Jim’s Contact Information
Phone: 781-373-5354

E-mail: lindsleyjr@aol.com
Mail address: 20 Fairhope Road, Weston, MA 02493
Jane Gibbons , excursion co-leader, fell in love with Bryce and Zion on a beginning retirement trip in 2002 and is eager to share their majesty with others. She is the person who took the longest time to get to the Highpoint of each of the lower 48 states revealing her sense of adventure and disregard for competitive accomplishment. She has hiked
New England's Hundred Highest Peaks and hiked all but a few of the trails in the White
Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. She has lead Maine and New Hampshire day hikes and last summer led 3 multi-day trips for AMC. She is a retired Hospice
Chaplain and is Clerk of a tiny Maine Town. She has participated in AMC excursions up
Kilimanjaro with safaris and trekking in Peru.
Jane’s Contact Information
Phone: 207647-3987
E-mail: patnjane@wildblue.net
Mail address: 42 Plummer School Road, Sweden, ME 04040

Group Size
The group size will be a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 14 (6 to 12 participants, plus the leaders). The leaders will establish a waiting list if more than 12 people are registered.
Participation Restrictions
The leaders at their own discretion and in accordance with AMC policies may choose not to accept any application.
Age Limitations
Children over age 12 may be permitted only at the discretion of the leaders. If you are a child or wish to bring children, please contact the leaders to discuss your situation.
Pets
Pets are not permitted on this excursion.
Non-AMC Members
Non-members of the AMC are permitted to partake in this excursion. A small administrative fee is charged for non-members. If you choose to join the AMC with your application for this trip, you will be considered as a member. Note also that the AMC offers special rate memberships for families, juniors and seniors. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the leaders.
Expectations, Difficulty Level, and Experience Level for Participants
This trip is for experienced hikers in good physical condition who are comfortable car-camping and willing to help with camping and meal preparations. We expect to enjoy daily 5-8 mi. comfortably-paced hikes on well-marked trails with moderate elevation gains. This should require 4-8 hours per day. In Bryce the height of the canyon is at 8900 feet; in Zion heights are more in the 300-4000 foot range. Hence comfort with elevation is required in Bryce. For our camping we expect warm summer evenings in the open.
We encourage participants to hike at their own pace and to enjoy the sights along the way, mostly with the other group members but occasionally individually.
To be prepared for the trip, you should engage in a program of cardiovascular exercise, such as hiking, running, or biking, for at least a month before the trip. Naturally the better you condition yourself by simulating the activities of hiking, the more enjoyable you will find the trip.
Just as important as being in good shape is a spirit of adventure. You should take pleasure in experiencing places and landscape that may be unlike anything that you have previously conceived. You need to be flexible and adapt easily to new situations, such as those presented by food, weather, and strangers. All participants are required to complete a confidential medical form. For the safety of you and the other participants, please make sure to complete the form accurately.

Daytime temperatures will likely be in the 70s and 80s, possibly higher with cooler nighttime temperatures. During September, most days are usually sunny, but we could possibly experience some precipitation during the trip.
Being A Team Player
We will be more than just a group; we will be a team. 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 hikers, then please do not register for this excursion. As a member of our team, you will carry your fair share of community gear and food. You will help with meal preparations and cleaning. If a member of our group becomes injured, you will be expected to help carry that person’s gear.
The leaders need to have final decision in all matters related to the trip. You must be able and willing to participate as part of the group and abide by the leaders’ decisions, which will have as a first priority the safety of individuals and the group.
To these ends, as mentioned below, we will arrange either a pre-excursion meeting before we depart, so we can get to know each other. If it is convenient for most participants, we may also invite you to participate in a day hike. Although not required, this will be a great way to get to know better the others in the group (and us leaders).
Pre-Excursion Meeting
During June 2009, a pre-excursion meeting will be scheduled, which will include a day hike plus dinner. This meeting will provide the participants an opportunity to get to know each other and the leaders. All excursion participants are encouraged to attend this pre-excursion meeting.
The leaders will provide more specific information on this pre-excursion meeting in May 2009.
Web-sites:
Bryce Canyon National Park http://www.nps.gov/brca/ http://www.brycecanyon.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryce_Canyon
Zion National Park http://www.nps.gov/zion http://www.zioncanyon.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zion_national_park