Hiking and Archaeology Adventure on Lake Powell
October 2-8, 2016
$1770
Jon Bowen, Trip Leader
Highlights:
Explore and hike in Lake Powell’s seldom seen red rock canyons
Enjoy houseboat comfort and camp cuisine, a very fine combination
Participate in unique and unforgettable small group hiking experiences
Learn about archaeology and natural history with expert staff
For this engrossing Lake Powell experience, we will cast off in comfortable houseboat style
and head out to where we can sleep under the stars in private red rock canyon coves. Join our
experienced experts and guides on moderate one to six mile off-trail day hikes through
spectacular canyon landscapes in search of seldom seen rock art of the Ancestral Pueblo and
Navajo peoples. Stretch your mind and legs daily, and then enjoy excellent meals cooked by
our staff and evening discussions of the natural and cultural history of the region. Sleep
soundly at night on our deluxe floating home or make camp ashore to enjoy the natural
environment. We will have a couple of inflatable kayaks along for individual paddling
enjoyment around camp.
We will spend most of our time in the middle portion of the lake up into the San Juan Arm.
The “Juan” is one of two major river systems that carved out Glen Canyon. The earliest
archaeological evidence here is of Archaic foragers who lived in the region several thousand
years ago. The San Juan area was a focus of prehistoric settlement during the later
Basketmaker and Kayenta Anasazi (Ancestral Pueblo) periods, whose seasonal huntinggathering and agricultural occupation lasting from around 200 B.C. to almost A.D. 1300. The
canyons continued to be visited by their Hopi descendants, and were occupied as well by
Paiute bands. More recently, the country south of the San Juan River has become part of the
Navajo Nation, important in their pastoral settlement of the region. Along the way we will
learn about the Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, the Colorado River Compact, and use of the
river’s water by the millions of downstream users. The compact enabled water storage and
regulated municipal uses and agricultural irrigation in the Southwest through development of
water projects under the Bureau of Reclamation. Major projects included the Hoover Dam
and Lake Mead and the Glen Canyon Dam, creating Lake Powell.
Activity Level:
This trip requires fitness adequate for day hikes varying from one to six miles round trip over
moderate terrain, and readiness to enjoy a group setting.
Accommodations:
Daily lodging and travel along the lake will be by houseboat, which can sleep 6-12 in beds
inside the cabin area (in 6 double beds). Camping on shore in a tent, or on the top deck of the
boat under the stars, are also attractive options. Houseboats come equipped with a
bathroom, shower, and kitchen, so you will have a great mix of camping and modern
convenience. In order to plan, you will need to indicate on the registration form whether you
wish to sleep inside or sleep on deck or in a tent.
Outing Cost:
The cost will be $1770 per person.
Payment Policy:
A deposit of $400 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance of $1370 is due no
later than July 15, 2016.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel the trip at any time, the $100 ADK registration is non-refundable. The
balance of the registration is fully refundable up to July 15, 2016. After July 15, 2016, no
refunds are possible unless your space can be filled from a waiting list.
Included in the registration fee:
Breakfasts (6)
Lunches (5)
Dinners (6)
Lodging
Transportation to and from the airport in Page, AZ
Expert guide and staff
Group equipment and supplies
Fees
Not included:
Alcohol
Gratuities
Airfare
Trip insurance in highly recommended.
For more information and to register contact Jon Bowen, 1626 Gunbarrel Rd, Baldwinsville,
NY 13027, 315 638-8749, jkbowen@gmail.com
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Arrive at the Page, AZ airport by 3pm. We will pick you up in the FCS 15 passenger van and
drive to a motel for dinner, orientation, and the night. Dinner is included.
Day 2, Monday, October 17, 2016
Drive to nearby Wahweap Marina. Load and board our houseboat at the marina, and head uplake. Travel five hours to Dangling Rope Marina and refill gas, then continue towards Rainbow
Bridge another hour. By far the most popular destination on Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge
National Monument stands majestically above the canyon bottom creating an awe-inspiring
sight. The world's largest natural bridge, Rainbow Bridge is 290 feet tall, spans 275 feet, and
is 42 feet thick. It is called Tse’naa Na’ni’ahi by the Navajo, sometimes translated as "rainbow
turned to stone." Its deep spiritual significance should be respected and we are asked not to
walk under the bridge during our short hike of a mile. Discussion as we travel in the boat will
touch on logistics, archaeology around Glen Canyon, and a general orientation to the
program. Lake-side mooring, dinner, and camp. All 3 meals are included.
Day 3, Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Motor on up-lake after breakfast two hours to the San Juan Arm junction, then continuing up
the San Juan arm eleven miles around the scenic north flank of Navajo Mountain. Hike in Cha
Canyon (five miles roundtrip), a scenic side canyon located in one of the more remote regions
of Lake Powell. A small stream generally flows through the canyon, allowing vegetation and
plant life to flourish. Unusual Navajo and older Ancestral Puebloan rock art make this a
unique hike. Dinner and discussion of Pueblo and Navajo history and archaeology, overnight
lake-side. All 3 meals are included.
Day 4, Wednesday, October 19, 2016
There are a number of fascinating hiking routes and destinations in the middle San Juan arm
area. Routes are through the Glen Canyon strata of the Rainbow Plateau and San Juan
Triangle with names such as Bald Rock, Wilson Canyon, Aladdens Lamp Pass, Peekaboo Arch,
and Hawkeye Natural Bridge. Motor six miles to one of our favorites, Deep Canyon, located
between Desha and Piute canyons. Deep is an exquisite and relatively narrow side canyon, cut
primarily into the massive and gold-hued Wingate Sandstone. The canyon hike is six miles
roundtrip to the spectacular divide with Piute Canyon. Dinner and overnight lake-side. All 3
meals are included.
Day 5, Thursday, October 20, 2016
Continue our exploration of the San Juan arm four more miles, with a goal of reaching Piute
Canyon. Piute has long sweeping vistas and geological complexity, an unusual spring, and an
array of Ancestral Puebloan rock art located within a hiking distance of about six miles. The
canyon is rimmed by sheer rust-colored cliffs, and has, at last report, a small resident herd of
semi-wild burros. Began return down-lake, with dinner and overnight near the San Juan Arm
junction. All 3 meals are included.
Day 6, Friday, October 21, 2016
Short morning hike as time and landscape allow, and motor back down-lake, with gas refill at
Dangling Rope Marina, and on to Page (seven hours) for the night and return to motel
accommodations. All 3 meals are included.
Day 7, Saturday, October 22, 2016
Check out, drive to Page airport by 9am for flights after 10am. Breakfast is included.
Expert Staff: Don Keller (M.A. Anthropology) has been engaged in field archaeology on the
Colorado Plateau for three decades. Don’s broad knowledge of the Plateau backcountry adds
depth to our explorations. His fascination with the Southwest began during his graduate
studies in the 1970s, when he spent several summers with the Cedar Mesa Archaeology Project
in southeastern Utah. This experience introduced him to the long tradition of archaeology in
the southwest, the canyon and slickrock country, and the people and resources of the
Colorado Plateau.
In the years since, Keller has led a wide range of trips and studies throughout Arizona and
Utah. A frequent trip leader, Keller strives to help participants understand the landscapes, the
resources they contain, and the way these resources have been used over time to create
human settlement, “to see how the sacred land cradles the gift of life." He believes that the
prehistoric past has left us many worthwhile lessons that, though coming to us indirectly,
broaden and add value to our present perspectives. He adds that “although archaeological
work is best done in the context of broad anthropological and cultural goals, we should
nevertheless not forget how much individuality there is in the places and histories of the
peoples of the Southwest."
Four Corners School Professional Guide: An experienced guide will help to bring alive the
natural and human history of the region, and will provide excellent meals for the group.