New Trips For 1999 - vacation ideas

Sierra, Nov, 1998

Exploring Cheyava Falls and the Ottoman Amphitheater, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. April 22-29. Hiking from the South Rim (7,200 feet) to the Colorado River (2,480 feet) and beyond to Clear Creek (3,580 feet) with its magnificent labyrinth of canyons and amphitheaters, we spend three layover days exploring this rich tapestry of form and color. Options include hiking to the highest and most spectacular waterfall in the Grand Canyon, visiting an Anasazi site, or searching for petroglyphs and pictographs. (Rated M/S). Leader: Les Atkins. Price: $725; Dep: $100. [99042A]

Grand Canyon Backcountry, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. May 1-8. Join us on an exciting journey into the backcountry of the Nankoweap Basin of Grand Canyon National Park. We'll likely see peaking wildflowers, visit remote Slot canyons, look for shooting stars, and view reminders of the ancient ones. (Rated S). Leader: Bert Fingerhut. Price: $720; Dep: $100. [99043A]

Paria Canyon, Utah and Arizona. May 9-15. Experience the beauty and silence of this desert canyon sheltered by towering red sandstone walls. Walk the 38 miles of this quiet river and marvel at the incredible beauty of rock sculpted over the centuries. Expect frequent stream crossings, an opportunity to hike the Buckskin Gulch, and glorious free afternoons in the Southwest's favorite slot canyon. (Rated M). Leaders: May Gong-Tenney and Chris Tenney Price: $685; Dep: $100. [99044A]

Canyon Land and Anasazi Ruins, Fish and Owl Canyons, Utah. May 16-22. Descending from Cedar Mesa, an "island in the sky" in Southeast Utah, we will wind along the steep multi-hued walls of Fish Canyon. On this llama-assisted trek we'll carry lighter packs and travel a moderate route featuring swimming holes, the shade of cottonwoods, stunning wildflowers, Anasazi ruins, and natural arches. (Rated M). Leader: Jim Halverson. Price: $695; Dep: $100. [99045A]

Bicycle

Bicycling Through Civil War History, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. May 30-June 5. Retrace the footsteps of General Lee's invasion of Union soil. Starting at Manassas, Virginia, we'll ride north through historic Harpers Ferry, Antietam, and along the gravel C&O Canal towpath. Our route takes us through the Catoctin Mountains and concludes with a guided tour of Gettysburg. This van-supported camping trip takes in six national battlefields and parks, and is for mountain or road bikers with intermediate cycling ability. Leader: Colleen Garrison. Price: $595; Dep: $100. [99048A]

Camping & Lodge

Springtime in the Desert, Anza-Borrego Park, California. February 27-March 6. Enjoy moderate hiking (among desert blooms if we're lucky) with an on-trip botanist, poking about fossilized reefs and wind caves, soaking in hot springs, savoring gourmet cuisine, and stargazing. Often a climate of extremes, spring in the desert represents a sublime moment of truce, and a perfect time for our base-camp visit. Leaders: Warren Alksnis and Ruth Huffman. Price: $535; Dep: $100. [99420A]

America's Tropical Paradise: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. February 28-March 6. Simply beautiful. The Caribbean is 50 feet from our cottage door and a tropical national park stretches out behind us. Traveling in safari vehicles to white-sand beaches and trailheads, we'll snorkel among tropical fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles and hike in the warmth of St. John. Meals not included in trip fee. Leader: Gary Skomro. Price: $775; Dep: $100. [99421A]