Afternoon: Participants can check into the Marble Canyon Lodge after 3:00 PM. The NAU Road Scholar program registration will be between 4:30 - 5:15 PM in the dining room adjacent to the lodge store.

Dinner: Marble Canyon Lodge serves a selection of American classic meals including lime chicken, pot roast and select pasta dishes plus soup and salad bar. For vegetarians there will be vegetarian options available.

Evening: Northern Arizona University Road Scholar coordinator will direct a program orientation and lead group introductions after dinner in the meeting room. Get prepared for the exciting adventure lays ahead and meet your fellow participants.

Lodging: Marble Canyon Lodge

Meals Included: Dinner

Note: A full day of off trail hiking in a wilderness setting. Prepare for scrambling up and down hillsides with uneven footing and loose rocks at times. Helpful hiking skills and tips such as hiking techniques and foot placement through various terrain, trekking pole use and pacing will be communicated throughout the week by your knowledgeable guides.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Marble Canyon Lodge restaurant. Hot and cold buffet items will be available.

Morning: After breakfast, depart for a hike along the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and the majestic Paria Plateau. What hikes are done on specific days is dependent on weather and road conditions. CHOCOLATE CLIFFS HIKE: (4- 6 miles and ~700 feet of elevation gain). Hike up the base of the Chocolate Cliffs utilizing abandoned road beds and rocky routes to discover 1000 year old petroglyphs, ancient petrified logs and jaw dropping views of the Vermilion and Echo Cliffs. The majority of this hike will be off trail with potential new discoveries and scenic vistas around every corner. This is a true "off the beaten path" adventure and a favorite of local guides.

Lunch: Lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: More hiking through incredible scenery.

Dinner: Marble Canyon Lodge serves a selection of American classic meals including lime chicken, pot roast and select pasta dishes plus soup and salad bar. For vegetarians there will be vegetarian options available.

Evening: Enjoy a select evening program on a regional subject. Topics may include Lee's Ferry and Mormon history, Canyon Country geology or musical entertainment.

Lodging: Marble Canyon Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: A day of hiking over open plains and sandstone hills to access a tributary canyon of the Colorado River. Often called "canyoneering" - hiking in southwest canyons require some scrambling. You will encounter rock obstacles that will require one person at a time to negotiate and will necessitate maneuvering (under the direction of your guide) before the group can proceed. You will also use your hands on occasion. This is not a day of making long miles but rather the challenge of new terrain.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Marble Canyon Lodge restaurant.

Morning: Hikes in the Marble Canyon/Lee's Ferry area may include: UPPER AND LOWER CATHEDRAL WASH HIKE - This hike is not along a defined trail but follows the intermittent stream bed, or wash, inside a narrow canyon with interesting rock formations. This spectacular canyon concludes at a beach along the roaring Colorado River. WATERHOLES CANYON HIKE: This photogenic 5 - 6 mile hike takes you across scenic mesa lands before descending into a narrow sandstone slot canyon on the Navajo Reservation. Waterholes Canyon is an "intimate" canyon experience which involves some sandstone scrambling along the stream bottom with colorful narrow cliffs rising overhead.

Lunch: Trail lunch.

Afternoon: Continue your hiking exploration.

Dinner: Marble Canyon Lodge serves a selection of American classic meals including lime chicken, pot roast and select pasta dishes plus soup and salad bar. For vegetarians there will be vegetarian options available.

Evening: Learn about the challenges and successes of the California Condor reintroduction project, presented by a biologist from the Peregrine Fund - the lead organization for the reintroduction effort.The California Condor reintroduction release site (and holding pens) are located just down the road from Marble Canyon Lodge atop the Vermilion Cliffs and is at the center of this multi-agency recovery effort.

Lodging: Marble Canyon Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Marble Canyon Lodge restaurant.

Morning: Hikes include one of the the following: FALL CANYON HIKE - located on the south side of the Colorado River at the base of the Echo Cliffs. This 4-5 mile secluded canyon hike will take you to spectacular red rock amphitheater formations. HORSESHOE BEND RIM HIKE: - Hike (approximately 5 - 6 miles) cross country along the sandstone rim of Glen Canyon with spectacular and commanding views of the Colorado River 1,000 feet below.Total distance traveled will depend on group interest and ability.

Lunch: Trail lunch

Afternoon: Continue your hiking exploration.

Dinner: Marble Canyon Lodge serves a selection of American classic meals including lime chicken, pot roast and select pasta dishes plus soup and salad bar. For vegetarians there will be vegetarian options available.

Evening: Road Scholar coordinator will brief the group on the travel logistic involved in transporting to Grand Canyon National Park in the morning.

Lodging: Marble Canyon Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Marble Canyon Lodge restaurant..

Morning: Depart for Grand Canyon National Park and the South Rim. Enter the park at Desert View overlook. Tour the famous Desert View Watchtower designed by the famous Fred Harvey "architect" Mary Jane Colter. Desert View Watchtower provides great sweeping views of where you have been (Vermilion and Echo Cliffs) and where you are going (South Rim locales and inner canyon features).

Lunch: Box lunch in the field.

Afternoon: In the afternoon a two mile (round trip) hike to Shoshone Point will be offered. Shoshone Point is a favorite of locals. The easy hike takes you through a pristine Ponderosa pine stand that gives way to a Pinyon pine and Juniper woodlands before reaching the rim. The point affords spectacular views of the inner canyon as well as numerous North Rim landforms. Time to explore the historic Grand Canyon Village will be available before checking into the the Lodge.

Dinner: Dinner at your leisure at the Lodge Cafeteria. Choices include hot entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, Mexican specialties, and a variety of tasty desserts.

Evening: After dinner, a National Park Service ranger program will be offered at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium. An interesting Grand Canyon topic, which change nightly, will be presented.

Lodging: Grand Canyon South Rim Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: The Kaibab Trail is a well maintained trail. It averages about 4 - 5 feet in width and has numerous water bars and step pads. The first 1/4 mile will be switchbacks then continues at a gentle incline to Ooh-Aah Pt. before descending a series of switch backs to Cedar Ridge. The trail is generally dry and clear but depending on the season patches of mud may exist. In case of icy conditions we will employ "Ice Walkers" (in-step cleats that strap onto hiking boots). Trekking poles are recommended.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Lodge cafeteria. Options include scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, sausage, bacon, oatmeal, fresh fruit, juices, milk, coffee and more.

Morning: After breakfast in the lodge and a pre-hike meeting, hike to Cedar Ridge (1.5 miles and 1140 feet elevation loss - one way) via Ooh-Aah Point on the the Kaibab Trail. Switchbacks and amazing canyon views at each corner will be the order of the day. This hike is to be counted among the highlights of the week! You will traverse several of the geologic layers of the Canyon including the Coconino Sandstone which contains fossilized reptile tracks. Time to enjoy "inner" canyon views, looking out for California Condor soaring overhead and trail side talks by your guides will be enjoyed at Cedar Ridge.

Lunch: Lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: The Cedar Ridge hike continues. Weather permitting an option to hike lower into the canyon to Skeleton Point (an additional 1.5 miles and 1000 feet loss of elevation - one way) will be offered for those who want a more strenuous hike. For those that do not choose to go further into the canyon they will return to the rim at their own pace. Once the rim is reached a leisurely hike to Yaki Point will be offered. NOTE: There is a National Park Service Shuttle bus stop at the South Kaibab Trailhead that will transport you back to the lodge at any time.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the Squire Inn, located just outside the park boundary, 7 miles from the lodge. The Squire Inn serves delicious entrées to choose from including slow roasted herb chicken, a south of the border combo plate, spinach pasta with artichokes, or broiled salmon.

Evening: Return to lodge after dinner.

Lodging: Grand Canyon South Rim Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Lodge cafeteria. Options include scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, sausage, bacon, oatmeal, fresh fruit, juices, milk, coffee and more.

Morning: Departures after breakfast. The NAU Road Scholar van departs Grand Canyon at 8:30 AM, arriving at the Flagstaff Visitor Center (Amtrak Station) by 10:15 AM. For those looking to return to the Phoenix airport, Van Go Shuttle (866)448-2646 coordinates with the NAU Road Scholar van and will immediately transfer shuttle riders to Phoenix with arrival to the airport approximately 1:00 PM.

Meals Included: Breakfast