DISCOVER BEARS EARS WITH ANDREW GULLIFORD, PH.D. (FORT LEWIS COLLEGE)
The area around Cedar Mesa and the greater Bears Ears region is home to over 100,000 archaeological sites, sweeping desert vistas, and an intricate network of red sandstone canyons. This spring we will spend 3 days exploring these areas with acclaimed historian and author Andrew Gulliford Ph.D. Dr. Gulliford has spent years hiking the canyons and gathering an extensive knowledge base about the people who have called this place home and the cultures that have shaped this area. Join us this spring for a beautiful weekend venturing out, enjoying great company, and immersing yourself in the wonders of Canyon Country.
DATES: TBD
COST: $700 + TAXES AND FEES
This includes the first night's hotel, camping on Friday and Saturday nights, meals from dinner on Thursday through lunch on Sunday, transportation to each hike, and use fees for each day's excursions.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(Itinerary subject to change based on weather, wind conditions, etc.)
Thursday
5:00 p.m.
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Meet for trip orientation and motel check in at the Inn at the Canyons.
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Walk up to the Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello, Utah.
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Meet the director of the Canyon Country Discovery Center; learn about its goals, objectives and future plans.
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Group dinner provided by Canyon Country Discovery Center.
Friday
8:30 a.m.
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Car-caravan from the Inn at the Canyons following breakfast provided by the Inn .
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Meet the trip’s co-leader historian Andrew Gulliford. Drive to Blanding, Utah.
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Visit the Edge of the Cedars Museum. Have a behind-the-scenes tour of the collections led by the curator.
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Orientation in the museum’s lecture room by Dr. Andrew Gulliford.
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Drive to Comb Wash Campground to set up camp.
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Have lunch.
1:30 p.m.
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Hike to spectacular sites in Butler Wash.
5:00 p.m.
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Back to camp for dinner.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Visit overlook of Arch Canyon.
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Visit Pictograph Cave.
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Sack lunch back at the vehicles.
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Visit various ruins in the local canyons and hike off the rim .
5:00 p.m.
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Return to Comb Wash Campground.
Sunday
9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Break down camp. Be ready to car caravan.
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Visit spectacular PII and PIII site in the heart of the Cedar Mesa Wilderness Study Area. (Clearly shows the need for defense at the end of the Anasazi reign with pictograms, defensive loopholes, Kayenta Anasazi granaries, and above ground kivas up canyon.)
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Eat a sack lunch.
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Hikers should be up and out of the canyon around 4 pm for the end of our tour.
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Brief reception at Dr. Gulliford’s house in Bluff.
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Evening slide show “The Best of Bluff” and wrap up by Dr. Gulliford at 8:00 pm.
We suggest that you make a reservation for Sunday night at the Recapture Lodge in Bluff, Utah. Dinner is on your own.
GETTING HERE
Airport
Durango - La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, CO is the nearest airport with a variety of flight options.
Boutique Air offers flights to Cortez, CO
By car
We are approximately 4 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City and 6 1/2 hours from Denver via I-70 and US191.
Accommodations
Inn at the Canyons in Monticello. Visit their website or call (435) 587-2458 for reservations.
If you prefer to camp there are two USFS campsites just outside Monticello in the Abajo Mountains, Dalton Springs and Buckboard.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for the duration of your trip. A travel protection plan can help cover your non-refundable travel payments should you cancel a trip because of a covered illness or injury.