New Trips For 1999 - vacation ideas

Yampa River Rafting, Dinosaur Monument, Utah. May 31-June 4. The Colorado River's last undammed tributary, the Yampa, roars 72 miles through the colorful canyon maze of Dinosaur National Monument. Late-spring mountain runoff provides over 40 Class III rapids, including Tepee, Big Joe, and the legendary Warm Springs Rapid (Class V)! This beautiful canyon, with its 1.5 billion-year-old walls towering 2,000 feet above us, is the home to bighorn sheep, eagles, falcons, otter, and other wildlife. Leader: Bruce Macpherson. Price: $790; Dep: $100. [99064A]

Service

El Yunque, Caribbean Forest, Puerto Rico. March 7-13. Maintain trails in a mountainous tropical rainforest. Clean and repair picnic areas. Dormitory lodging. Free days to visit old San Juan. Some meals not included in the trip price. Leader: Sarah Stout. Price: $690; Dep: $100. [99460A]

Superstition Wilderness Desert Springtime, Tonto Forest, Arizona. March 7-13. Working from our wilderness base camp, we'll reroute a damaged trail with time off to hike, explore 12th-century cliff dwellings, or photograph wildflowers blooming in the desert. Leader: Bruce Ackerman. Price: $325; Dep: $50. [99461A]

Paria Canyon Archaeology, Utah and Arizona. March 13-20. Backpack the length of the beautiful and enchanted Paria Canyon. Discover and document ancient Indian rock art. Hardy explorers, artists, and map makers wanted. Small group size. Leader: Marietta Tretter. Price: $495; Dep: $50. [99070A]

Reclaiming the Rosillos, Big Bend Park, Texas. March 21-27. Enjoy the rugged, wild beauty of the Chihuahuan desert from our annual backcountry base camp. We'll hike to old fence lines and remove the wires. Our efforts will help restore the natural movement of wildlife. Leader: Lisa Mendelson. Price: $330; Dep: $50. [99462A]

The Slough and the Sea, Elkhom Slough Estuarine Research Reserve, California. April 3-9. Explore and help restore diverse areas-- the dunes, the Elkhorn Slough, and a redwood canyon in Big Sur. Beach camping, hiking, and kayaking included. Sea otters, lupine, geology, and more! Leader: Kathryn Hannay. Cook: Dan Brady Price: $450; Dep: $50. [99071A]

Grand Canyon Springtime, Grand canyon Park, Arizona. April 4-10. Help restore native vegetation at the Grand Canyon's South Rim with time off to hike and observe the signs of spring. Possible alternative projects at Lee's Ferry or in the canyon if weather is unseasonable. Leader: Larry Keller. Price: $325; Dep: $50. [99072A]

Buenos Aires Service Trip, Rancho de la Osa, Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. April 11-17. Southwest of Tucson, this Sonoran grassland is the ungrazed ecosystem of endangered species, including the masked bobwhite and Mexican jaguar, and many native and migratory species. On alternating days, we'll work with refuge staff on habitat restoration projects. We'll stay in a comfortable 18th-century ranch and can bike and horseback ride in our spare time. Leader: Susan Estes. Price: $1,295; Dep: $200. [99073A]

Santa Cruz Island Base Camp, Channel Islands, California. April 12-19. We'll work from Prisoner's Harbor to the Pelican Bay Trail, and assist the Nature Conservancy with ranch maintenance. Trip includes boat from Ventura and bunking in rustic cabins. Leader: Terry Sario. Cook: Laurie-Ann Barbour. Price: $490; Dep: $50. [99074A]