Nearest Airport to Torrey, Utah
Las Vegas, Nevada, Salt Lake City, Utah & Grand Junction, Colorado are all served by major commercial airlines. In addition you can now reach Moab via Salt Lake City. These cities are 350 miles, 275 miles and 225 miles respectively, from Torrey. The Wayne Wonderland Airport is located twelve miles east of Torrey near Bicknell, Utah, and serves private airplanes with a 5,000ft. landing strip which is paved and lighted.

Travel Suggestions
Surrounded by wilderness, Torrey is located in one of the least populated and most isolated regions in the United States. Consequently, it's greatest asset as a travel destination makes getting here more time consuming. Unless you live nearby, the best way to reach Torrey is to fly into Las Vegas, Nevada, Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, then rent a car and drive.
      The distance to Torrey from LV is 350 miles, from SLC is 275 miles and from GJ is 225. You will note that the trip price has been discounted to reflect the added expense of car rental incurred in reaching Torrey. In the final analysis, the quality of this trip and it's overall cost still make it one of the best buys in the adventure travel market.

Transfer Package
If you plan to fly to Utah, a supplemental Transfer Package is available from the gateway city of Moab, Utah. Moab is served by US AIRWAYS via Salt Lake International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. Flights arrive and depart twice daily weekdays and once daily on weekends.
The Transfer Package includes round trip transportation between Torrey and Moab featuring scenic flights over the heart of the canyon country---Canyonland National Park, San Rafael Swell, Henry Mountains and Capitol Reef National Park. The package includes all transportation needs during your stay.
The Redtail Aviation counter at Canyonlands Airport, Moab, Utah is our meeting point at 5:30pm on the first day of the trip.
You'll return to Canyonlands Airport at 4:30pm the final day. Our arrival and departure schedule allow for same day connections with Salt Lake City via US AIRWAYS.
For those fly only participants interested in extending their pre-trip or post-trip vacation to the canyon country, Moab is an ideal location. During the summer we offer a variety of whitewater rafting options.

Travel Documents
Passport and Visa requirement information is available through your consulate.

Suggested Arrival Time
On the afternoon of Day 1 you may check-in your room at the lodging in Torrey, Utah. However, you may want to arrive earlier to visit attractions in and around Torrey. These include Capitol Reef National Park and it's Visitor Center, Historic Fruita, Historic Torrey Church and School House, Anasazi Museum State Park, Petrified Forest State Park, Fish Lake, and dozens more public and private sites. We can reserve additional pre-trip (and post-trip) lodging upon request.

Meeting Time & Place  
Participants on camping rides will meet at 8:00pm on Day 1 in the lobby of your Inn. We will have an orientation and final packing session at this time. Meeting and lodging locations will be specified upon reservation confirmation.
Lodging at the AAA-rated inns of either Boulder View Inn or Chuckwagon Motel will be provided your first night. Boulder View Inn is located on highway 24 at the west-end of Torrey across from the Capitol Reef Inn. Their web site address: www.boulderviewinn.com . The Chuckwagon Motel is located in downtown Torrey at the junction of Main and Center Streets, one block west of Hondoo's headquarters. Their web address: www.austinschuckwagonmotel.com .

Inn-to-Inn Trailrides (Canyonlands Lodge Ride - Colorado Plateau) depart from TORREY
Participants on Inn-to-Inn rides will meet with the staff at 8:00pm on Day 1 in the lobby of your Inn. We will have an orientation and final packing session at this time. Your lodging at either Muley Twist Inn, Sky Ridge Inn or Lodge at Red River will be specified upon confirmation of ride reservation.
The Muley Twist Inn is located one mile west of Teasdale, Utah in a secluded rock cove (3 miles west of Torrey). Their web address: www.muleytwistinn.com . The Sky Ridge Inn is located ridge-top and off-highway one mile east of Torrey, near the junction of highways 12 and 24. Their web address: www.skyridgeinn.com . The Lodge at Red River is situated in a secluded cottonwood grove under the Mummy Cliffs along the Fremont River. It is located off highway 24, three miles west of Torrey. Their web address: www.redriverranch.com .
Inn Rides end in Boulder, Utah at either Boulder Mountain Lodge or Pole's Place. For information about their inns, see Inn-to-Inn Rides after selecting the Trailride page from main menu.

Riders with Transfer Package depart from Moab, Utah The Redtail Aviation counter at Canyonlands Airport, Moab, Utah is the meeting point for your trip. You'll meet at 5:30pm on the first day for your transfer to Torrey with Redtail.
See their web site: www.moab-utah.com/redtail/index.html  . You will meet members of the staff upon landing for ground transportation to your first night's lodging, 8pm group orientation and final packing session.

Weather/Climate/Geography/Vegetation
Utah's portion of the Colorado Plateau region is a semi-arid tableland or steppe ranging in elevation between 3,800 ft. and 11,500 ft. with vegetation classified as upper-Sonoran to Alpine. This landscape is famous for it's dynamic elevation changes with hundreds, even thousands, of feet change literally in one step.
     The key word in this description, as far as weather is concerned, is semi-arid. It is generally dry with most precipitation falling as snow in the winter and occasional thunder storms during the summer. Higher elevations are cooler and receive more moisture than lower environs. These trips explore the lower, slickrock and pinyon-juniper forested areas on spring and fall trailrides. In the heat of the summer, ponderosa-pine or aspen-spruce forests form the backdrop for experiencing the canyonlands. Trip temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees daytime or 40 degrees at night. With warm days and cool nights, it is best to layer your clothing to maintain comfort and you should always pack rain gear just in case.

Post Trip Suggestions
Unless otherwise indicated or arranged, the trip ends late afternoon when you return to Torrey. Often the group meets for dinner and spends at least one last night in town. You may wish to extend your stay in the area and we can assist you. See Suggested Arrival Time and Suggested Lodging for more pre and post trip details.

Suitability
While no previous riding experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. And although the minimum age of eight years is required, the important point you should understand is that we do not want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.
     You'll ride at a pace that is comfortable for the group, sometimes splitting into two groups, one faster for the hearty rider, and one well-paced but leisurely for those who wish to take time relishing the beauty and wonder of the sights. All riders will then regroup and make a lunch stop together. Following the afternoon ride you will return to camp with plenty of time to clean up and relax before dinner.
     It should be noted that although these trips are designed to accommodate hikers as well as riders, if you plan to combine both activities, let us know so we may plan for appropriate personnel and horses before the last moment.

Tipping
Tipping is always optional and a personal decision on your part, based on your overall experience. A guide is rewarded by the opportunity to show you a beautiful area and to share your vacation with you. However, a financial gesture of appreciation will be well received! If you do choose to pass along a gratuity, it is appropriate to direct it toward the trip leader who is responsible for distribution. The industry standard is 15-20%.

Guest Travel Information
It is good for us to know how and when you will be arriving as well as where you plan to stay on the evening prior to the trip. Please keep us informed of any changes in your plans.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is a good idea and most insurance agents or travel consultants can provide you with a vacation insurance plan that covers accident, baggage, and cancellation claims. You can order it direct on our website at  www.hiddentrails.com/insurance.htm   or you can let us know at the time of booking and we will arrange it for you.

Itinerary Changes
Although every attempt is made to adhere to itineraries, participants need to acknowledge and willingly accept the possibility of route and itinerary changes due to factors beyond the control of the operator. Mother nature and government land managers have on rare occasions, thrown us a curve ball (i.e. a freak two foot snowfall and camping restrictions due hazardous fire conditions).

About Your Guides
Patricia Kearney or Gary George, lead each and every trip. Pat and Gary have been guiding backcountry travelers for over three decades. They are joined by Paul Nelson, their lead interpretive specialist, and a small group of seasoned guides who share a similar interest and enthusiasm for the canyonlands.

Inclusions for All Trail rides
-all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day with special diets accommodated
-the first night lodging in Torrey
-ground transportation from Torrey, and return
-complete outfitting with deluxe base camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs
-canvas sleep tent with choice of one or two person, or family occupancy
-sleeping bag and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot
-water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
-daily guided horseback riding or hiking
-seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
-guitarist and interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history.

Additional expenses:
State of Utah sales tax, airfare, rental car, personal items and alcoholic beverages. You should note that trip prices have been discounted to reflect the added expense for car rental incurred in reaching Torrey. In the final analysis, the cost for this quality trip make it one of the best buys in the adventure travel market. Also, for those participants who appreciate a cold beer after an eventful day or relaxing around the campfire with a cocktail, enjoy, but bring spirits in unbreakable containers if possible.

Guests/Hikers
     If you want to accompany someone on a trail ride but you are not a rider, or you simply want to spend time camping and relaxing in a wilderness setting, or you want to hike this spectacular landscape, then you're welcome to join a trail ride. Although the trips are designed for riders, it is not uncommon for participants to not ride one or more days. Daily guided hikes will venture forth as arranged. Non-riders may travel with the cook and campjack to and from the base camp, however we should know in advance.