Hiking Arizona’s Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs: Off the Beaten Path

Activity note: Lodge check-in available by 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration. 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions in our private meeting room. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions. Transportation will be provided primarily by passenger vans, unless otherwise specified. Throughout the program, our naturalist Group Leader will cover subjects including geology, geography, human, and natural history. We will hike as one group throughout the week with a hike leader in the front and a sweep towards the rear. Helpful hiking skills and tips such as hiking techniques, foot placement on various terrain, and pacing will be communicated throughout the week by our knowledgeable leaders. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the lodge each night, we’ll enjoy a rotating menu of classic American plated meals.

Evening: After dinner, continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Hiking between 4 and 6 miles at Chocolate Cliffs; approx. 7 hours total; about 700 feet of elevation gain; off-trail terrain in a wilderness setting; scrambling up/down hillsides, uneven footing and loose rocks at times. Minimal driving for the day.

Breakfast: At the lodge restaurant, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast featuring hot and cold items.

Morning: Setting out from the lodge, we’ll transfer to the Chocolate Cliffs for a hike up to the base of the cliffs by using abandoned road beds and rocky routes. As we reach the wall, we’ll discover 1,000 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 for new discoveries and scenic vistas around every corner. This is a true "off the beaten path" adventure and a favorite of local experts.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll stop at a pleasant spot to enjoy our sack lunches. Meal items such as sandwiches, chips, fruit, and cookie will rotate throughout the week.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our hike through incredible scenery until making our way back to the vans and returning to the lodge.

Dinner: Lodge plated meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Hiking approx. 4 miles roundtrip; about 7 hours total; on canyon floor, some ledges and large steps warranting sit down/step down maneuvers, roughly 200 feet in elevation gain in short, steep section. Minimal driving for the day.

Breakfast: Lodge breakfast.

Morning: After breakfast, we’ll travel to the Cathedral Butte and Cathedral Wash hike. The Cathedral Wash hike to the Colorado River begins from the Lee's Ferry Road and winds along the floor of the canyon as the walls rise higher and higher. Some step downs, rock maneuvering and gravel will be encountered. The reward is a close encounter with the Colorado River and a hidden "beach."

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Upon completion of our hike, we’ll return to the lodge.

Dinner: Lodge plated meal.

Evening: Back in the meeting room adjacent to the restaurant, we’ll settle in to enjoy another select evening program led by a local expert on a regional subject such as Lee's Ferry, Mormon or Southwest history, Canyon Country geology, or musical entertainment.

Activity note: Hiking 4.5 miles round trip 5 to 6 hours; combination of primitive trail, some short but steep sandy sections and rocky, uneven terrain with an elevation gain of roughly 1,600 feet; some maneuvering around rocks. In and out hike - the group returns the same way that they came from. Driving about 40 miles and 45 minutes, one way.

Breakfast: Lodge breakfast.

Morning: The planned hike for today will be the Spencer Trail. This is a classic red rock hiking adventure, complete with rewarding views and memories to last a lifetime! The hike begins at a Lees Ferry on a old mule trail for hauling mining supplies. Elevation is gained on a primitive trail through varied terrain of rocky switchbacks that ascend as we make our way to jaw dropping views make this a hike worth the effort!

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our hiking exploration and, once finished, we’ll transfer to Navajo Bridge to meet a Peregrine Fund representative to discuss the California Condor and hopefully spot some. We’ll learn about the challenges and successes of the California condor reintroduction project, as 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.

Dinner: Lodge plated meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Minimal driving for the day. Hiking between 4 and 6 miles; 5 to 6 hours; combination of trail and off-trail terrain with an elevation gain of roughly 500 feet; some rock scrambling requiring the use of hands to maneuver around boulders.

Breakfast: Lodge breakfast.

Morning: Today’s hike will be a route and destination chosen by the Group Leader based on the interest and abilities of the group. Each potential destination listed is a classic red rock hiking adventure, complete with rewarding views and memories to last a lifetime!

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our hiking exploration and, once finished, we’ll return to the lodge.

Dinner: Lodge plated meal.

Evening: At Leisure.

Activity note: Driving approx. 1 hours round trip. Hiking 6 miles round trip 5 to 6 hours; combination of primitive trail, some short but steep sandy sections and rocky, uneven terrain with an elevation gain of roughly 1,600 feet; some maneuvering around rocks. In and out hike - the group returns the same way that they came from.

Breakfast: Lodge breakfast.

Morning: The planned hike for today will be the Sand Crack Hike in the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. This is a classic red rock hiking adventure, complete with rewarding views and memories to last a lifetime! The hike begins at a historic cattle ranching cabin and continues past Rachel Pools, a natural spring area utilized by Mormon pioneers for decades. Elevation is gained on a primitive trail through varied terrain of rocky benches and a couple of short but steep sand features. Numerous ancient rock art panels and jaw dropping views make this a hike worth the effort!

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Finishing up our hike, we’ll return to the lodge with time to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: Lodge plated meal.

Evening: We’ll then gather for a program wrap-up session at the lodge. Share some laughs with new Road Scholar friends along with your favorite experiences and accomplishments from the program. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Activity note: Lodge check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Lodge breakfast. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!