Southern Utah Spring Break 2022

Overview

Join us for a week long spring break road trip in Southern Utah! This experience will start with a flight to Salt Lake City, UT, which is where we will officially kick off our adventure and finish outfitting our trip. After a night in Salt lake City, we will travel down to Southern Utah and visit the endless red cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park. From here we will continue to drive south on the very scenic Highway 12 from Torrey, over a high mountain pass filled with aspens and pines, and finally, dip down into the labyrinth of sandstone canyons, cliffs and domes that make up Escalante National Monument. We will camp, hike, and explore the Escalante area for the next two days before making our way westward towards Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Two of the most iconic national parks in the world, Bryce and Zion feature towering hoodoos, scenic views in all directions, waterfalls, slot canyons and an improbable amount of biodiversity not epected to be found in such an arid climate. One could spend a lifetime exploring this region of Southern Utah. After three nights of camping and lodging in this area, we will make our way back to Salt Lake City for one final night before we fly back to the East Coast.

Spring is a special time in the high elevation desert of Southern Utah. In the lower elevations the sagebrush, cacti, grasses, cottonwoods and juniper trees are blooming, while up higher over some of the mountain passes and near Bryce Canyon, the red rock may still be covered with snow. Temperatures can range greatly during this time of the year between 30F and 75F, with relatively low precipitation and humidity. Due to this area's geography and lack of major population centers, Southern Utah is also concidered one of the greatest places in the world to view the night sky. This trip will include 5 nights of tented camping, 2 nights of lodging in hotels or cabins, lots of hiking and exploration, and a 700 mile road trip through the heart of Southern Utah. Participants should come prepared for adventure and the nourishment that tends to come from spending time in this open, wild desert country.

Location

Southern Utah

• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Zion National Park

Schedule

Day 0, Fri 03/11/2022

• Final pre-trip meeting and dinner at Bucknell University
• Late night pick up by transportation services from Bucknell campus for overnight commute to departing airport

Day 1, Sat 03/12/2022

• Early morning bus ride from Bucknell University to departuring airport
• Fly from departure city to Salt Lake City, UT
• Arrive in Salt Lake City early afternoon, pick up vehicles and drive to the University of Utah (UofU). Check into the hotel and pick up camping equipment from the UofU Outdoor Adventures.
• Overnight at hotel in Salt Lake City

Day 2, Sun 03/13/2022

• Early morning wake up. Breakfast and check out of hotel.
• Drive to Capitol Reef Nat'l Park, visit park, lunch
• Drive to Escalante Nat'l Monument
• Overnight and dinner in campground near Escalante Nat'l Monument

Day 3, Mon 03/14/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, prep for hike
• Full day hike (approx. 8-12 miles) in Escalante Nat'l Monument
• Hang out at camp, dinner, relax

Day 4, Tues 03/15/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, break down/pack up camp
• Short (approx. 1-3 miles) hike/site seeing in Escalante Nat'l Monument
• Drive to Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park, short stop, keep driving to Zion Nat'l Park
• Hang out at camp, dinner, relax

Day 5, 03/16/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, prep for hike
• Full or half day hike (approx. 4-15 miles depending on interest) in Zion Nat'l Park
• Hang out at camp, dinner, relax

Day 6, Thur 03/17/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, prep for hike
• Full or half day hike (approx. 4-15 miles depending on interest) in Zion Nat'l Park
• Hang out at camp, dinner, relax

Day 7, Fri 03/18/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, break down/pack up camp
• Drive from Zion Nat'l Park to Salt Lake City
• Return gear to UofU Outdoor Adventures, clean up
• Check into hotel in Salt Lake City
• Final evening dinner in Salt Lake City

Day 8, Sat 03/19/2022

• Wake up, breakfast, check out of hotel
• Drive to SLC Int'l Airport, check in for flights
• Fly SLC to departure airport
• Bus pickup at departure airport and return to Bucknell University
• Arrive at Bucknell University, return gear, dinner provided
• End of trip!

Inclusions

• Transportation to/from Bucknell University and departure airport
• Roundtrip airfare from departure airport and SLC with X1 50lb checked bag
• All vehicle transportation while in Utah
• 7 nights of lodging (2 nights hotels in SLC / 5 nights of campgrounds in Escalante/Zion)
• 3 main meals and snacks per day during main trip, excluding airport travel
• Pre-trip (Friday, 03/11/2022) dinner and end of trip (Saturday, 03/19/2022) dinner at Bucknell
• All group camping gear (e.g. tents, sleeping bags, food storage & cookware, etc.)
• Additional clothing available (puffy warm jacket, base layer clothing, shell pants and jacket, etc.)
• Park fees and permit expenses

Exclusions

• Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
• Personal gear and items
• Alcoholic beverages
• Meals during travel between Bucknell University and Salt Lake City, UT
• Any food purchased separately from group meals (e.g. gas station snacks, additional meals beyond pre-planned group meals, ice cream, etc.)
• Any souvenirs, shopping, or optional, non-predetermined experiences
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Medical and/or evacuation insurance 
• All expenses incurred in the event of early or late departure (evacuation fees, transportation, extra hotel night, etc.)

Cost

• Full Cost = $1,100.00 per person
• Deposit (15% of Full Cost) = $165

*Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable

Register

Registration for this trip will open on January 3 at 12:00pm Eastern. Spaces for this trip are limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Registration Notes

• Registration for this trip is available on a first come, first serve basis.
• A full deposit or full payment is required by 01/18/2022 to confirm placement on this trip.
• Opportunities for a limited amount of financial assistance may be available. Students can indicate this request during their registration process.
• An option to join a waitlist is provided at the time of registration if the trip is full.
• Registration for this spring break trip will go live at 12:00pm on Monday, January 3, 2022. A deposit payment is due by 01/18/2022 or within 7 days from the time of registration to confirm placement on the trip. The remaining balance payment is due by Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Payments can be made using check or cash at the CAP Center in the ELC.
• The Bucknell Outdoor Education & Leadership Program (OEL) may adjust aspects of the pre-proposed itinerary associated with this trip.
• If selected to participate in this OEL Spring Break Trip, you will be required to attend a series of pre-trip meetings. Failure to participate in these meetings may affect your eligibility to attend the trip. The pre-trip meeting dates will be shared with selected participants upon acceptance into the trip.

Cancellations & No Shows

OEL Trips & Outings provided to Bucknell students have limited capacity. If a student signs up and doesn’t show for the program, it’s disruptive for everyone involved and takes away from other student’s experience.

We understand that things come up and life happens. We get it. We simply ask that you notify us at least 48 hours after your pre-trip meeting (approximately 1 month in advance of a trip) and let us know of your cancellation. You can do this by communicating directly with the professional staff who are attending the trip (Nate Smith & Morgan Costello).

Students who notify us of their need to cancel at least 48 hours after the pre-trip meeting (approximately 1 month in advance of the trip) will receive a refund of fees paid minus their deposit. Refunds will not be issued for those who choose to cancel more than 48 hours after the pre-trip meeting (within 1 month of a trip).

Failure to contact us of your cancellation in this predetermined timeframe is noted by the OEL Admin Team. After 3 instances (not showing up or cancelling less than a week prior to the trip 3 times), a student will not be allowed to register for future OEL Trips & Outings here at Bucknell.