Southern Utah Spring Break 2023

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 expected to be found in such an arid climate. One could spend a lifetime exploring this region of Southern Utah. After three nights of camping in Zion, 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 an Airbnb-style house, 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

1st Pre-Trip Meeting, Mon 1/23/2023 (In person on campus)

2nd Pre-Trip Meeting, Wed 2/22/2023 (In person on campus)

Day 0, Fri 3/10/2023

• Final pre-trip meeting and dinner at Bucknell University.
• Late night drive from Bucknell campus for overnight commute to departure airport.

Day 1, Sat 3/11/2023

• Early morning drive from Bucknell University to departure 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) to pick up camping equipment from the UofU Outdoor Adventures. Grocery shop and check into lodging site for the evening.
• Overnight at Airbnb-style lodging site in Salt Lake City.

Day 2, Sun 3/12/2023

• Early morning wake up. Breakfast and check out of hotel.
• Drive to Escalante Nat'l Monument, optional visit to Capitol Reef National Park along the way.
• Overnight and dinner in campground in Escalante Nat'l Monument.

Day 3, Mon 3/13/2023

• 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 3/14/2023

• Wake up, breakfast, pack lunch, break down/pack up camp.
• Short (approx. 3-4 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 at campground in Zion Nat'l Park.

Day 5, 3/15/2023

• 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 3/16/2023

• 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 3/17/2023

• 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 Airbnb-style lodging in Salt Lake City.
• Final evening dinner in Salt Lake City.

Day 8, Sat 3/18/2023

• Wake up, breakfast, check out of lodging site.
• Drive to SLC Int'l Airport, check in for flights.
• Fly SLC to departure airport.
• Arrive 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 Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) with X1 50lb checked bag
• All vehicle transportation while in Utah
• 7 nights of lodging (2 nights hotels or Airbnb-style lodiging 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, 3/10/2023) dinner and end of trip (Saturday, 3/18/2023) 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 = $1,950.00 per person
• Deposit (20% of Full Cost) = $390.00

*Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable

Register

Registration for this trip will open on Tuesday, 1/3/2023 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.
• Upon successful registration for the trip, a confirmation email with a link to the trip agreement form will be sent. Completion of this trip agreement form must be made within 24 hours of registration. Failure to complete this step will result in removal from the trip registration and the spot will become available to the next person.
• A full deposit or full payment is required by 4:00pm 1/17/2023 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 Tuesday, January 3, 2023. A deposit payment is due by Tuesday, January 17, 2023 to confirm placement on the trip. The remaining balance payment is due by Friday, February 17, 2023 at 4:00pm.
• If a student does not pay their deposit payment by the above listed due date, OEL reserves the right to remove that student from the trip and contact the next person on the waitlist to fill the trip seat. If you need an extension for the due date of your deposit payment, let us know immediately so that we may work with you to accommodate your need.
• Any agreed upon payment due date extension may make a student liable for any non-recoverable costs spent by the university on their behalf (e.g. Airfare, ski lift tickets, etc.). This will be discussed and agreed upon in writing as applicable.
• In the event of a cancellation on the student's behalf, a refund for all fees paid, minus the deposit payment and any non-refundable costs paid on behalf of the student (e.g. Airfare, ski lift tickets, etc.) is possible before the remaining balance due date of 2/17/2023. In the event that a student cancels their spot after paying their deposit payment but before paying their remaining balance payment, the student agrees to pay any difference in cost of non-refundable trip expenses. 
• All payments must be made by check (written to Bucknell University) or cash. 
• If a payment is submitted via mail, a written agreement must be confirmed by the student accepting liability of fees associated. Students/families submitting payment via mail should contact OEL admin to notify us of this intention.
• 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.

Cancellations & No Shows

OEL Trips & Outings provided to Bucknell students have limited capacity. Students should only sign up for this trip if they have full intention of attending. If a student signs up for a trip and cancels later, it’s disruptive for everyone involved and takes away from other student’s experience.

We understand that things come up and unexpected life events happen. Should you need to cancel, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible to let us know. You can do this by communicating directly with the professional staff member who will be attending the trip (Sarah Morris).

Students who notify us of their need to cancel before or on the due date/time of the remaining balance payment (2/17/2023) will receive a refund for all fees paid, minus the deposit payment and any non-refundable costs paid on behalf of the student (e.g. airfare, ski lift tickets, etc.). In the event that a student cancels their spot after paying their deposit payment but before paying their remaining balance payment, the student agrees to pay any difference in cost of non-refundable trip expenses. Refunds will not be issued for those who choose to cancel beyond 2/17/2023 4:00pm unless a replacement can be found for the trip.