TRAVEL PLANNER:

This section is designed to help participants on Hondoo's multi-day adventures plan their trip to the canyonlands.  You will receive a trip information packet containing a packing list, detailed itinerary, lodging confirmation and travel instructions upon receipt of reservation.  

Travelers may drive, fly/drive, or fly only.  As general rule if you live outside the area, trip participation is most economical if you fly into Salt Lake City, Utah or Las Vegas, Nevada then rent a car and drive.  (Flights into Las Vegas are often cheaper than into other area cities.)

If you have any question, need help with logistics, or would like to share travel expenses with other trip participants, contact Hondoo or your travel consultant.

NEAREST COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS: 

The following cities are served by international airlines and are listed with their driving mileage to our headquarters in Torrey: 1) Moab, Utah--165 miles;  2) Grand Junction, Colorado--215 miles; 3) Salt Lake City, Utah--255 miles; 4) St. George, Utah--300 miles; 5) Las Vegas, Nevada--390 miles.

GATEWAY CITY for TRIPS:

Travelers who elect to drive or fly/drive will begin and end their trip in Torrey, Utah (except Inn-to-Inn Trailrides, see below).

Participants who elect the fly only option will begin and end their trip in Moab, Utah and must select Hondoo’s supplemental Transfer Package—see below.

Camping Trailrides depart and return Torrey, Utah. 

Inn-to-Inn Trailrides depart Torrey, Utah and end Boulder, Utah. 

Vehicle Tours and Hikes depart and end Torrey, Utah unless otherwise arranged.

All Custom Trips meet, depart and end as arranged.

For Ride & Raft Combo Trips, the ride portion departs and ends Torrey, Utah, and the raft portion departs and ends Moab or Green River, Utah as arranged.

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.

Hondoo's 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. Contact Hondoo or your travel consultant for additional information and connecting transportation schedules.

MEETING TIMES, PLACES & LODGING:

Camping Trailrides depart from TORREY
Participants on camping rides will meet at 8:00pm on Day 1 in the lobby and bookstore of the Boulderview Inn, or at pool-side of the Chuckwagon 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 depart from TORREY

Participants on Inn-to-Inn rides will meet with Hondoo’s staff at 8:00pm on Day 1 in either the Living Room at Muley Twist Inn, the Communal Room at Sky Ridge Inn, or the Great Room of the Lodge at Red River.  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.

Trailrides 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 Hondoo’s staff upon landing for ground transportation to your first night's lodging, 8pm group orientation and final packing session.

All other trips meet and depart as arranged.

OTHER INFORMATION:

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 Hondoo doesn't 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.

Hondoo's trailrides are limited to 10 or 12 participants, depending on destination. Our trips are designed for horse lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. We pride ourselves in giving experienced riders the challenge and pace they desire without abusing the horses, and in giving wilderness seekers the untraveled and scenic backcountry they relish. Our high guide to guest ratio allows us to divide into groups by ability and interest when time and logistics allow.

It should be noted that although Hondoo's trips are designed to accommodated hikers as well as riders, if you plan to combine both activities, let Hondoo or your travel consultant know so they 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 to 20 percent.

Inclusions for All Trailrides EXCEPT Inn-to-Inn Rides

-all taxes and land-use fees--nearly 14% of trip price
-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
-complete outfitting with deluxe basecamp 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
-guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history

Inclusions for Inn-to-Inn Rides

-all sales, resort and meal taxes and land-use fees--over 14%

-all ground transportation from Torrey and return
-all meals with gratuities from breakfast on day two through dinner on the last day
-three nights lodging in Torrey, Utah
-three nights lodging Boulder, Utah
-water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
-daily guided horseback riding or hiking
-seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
-interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history
-evening activities including 4X4 tour, museum visit, sunset wine party and more

Special Transfers from any location in the Inter-Mountain West may be arranged.

Nearest Airport to Torrey, Utah
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 Documents
Passport and Visa requirement information is available through your consulate.

Additional Lodging Suggestions
Quality lodging may be found at the Boulder View Inn, Chuckwagon Motel, Sky Ridge Inn, or Capitol Reef Inn, all in Torrey. Quality service may also be found near Torrey at the Lodge at Red River or Muley Twist Inn, both in Teasdale, Utah or the Boulder Mountain Lodge, Boulder, Utah. For those travelers who desire quality accommodations with a swimming pool, the Chuckwagon Motel and Store has clean, AAA-rated facilities and is located in the heart of town, one block west of Hondoo's headquarters.

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. Hondoo's 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 Hondoo or your travel consultant can assist you. See Suggested Arrival Time and Suggested Lodging for more pre and post trip details.

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.

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 to hazardous fire conditions).

Questions?
Please contact us with any questions regarding the trip.

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.

Additional expenses
Airfare, rental car, personal items and alcoholic beverages—if possible, pack spirits in unbreakable containers.

Guests/Hikers on Trailrides
If you want to accompany someone on a trailride 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 trailride. 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 basecamp, however Hondoo and your travel consultant should know in advance.

You should note that Hondoo Rivers and Trails guided a full schedule of multi-day hikes for over a decade, but now, trips are outfitted only in conjunction with our scheduled trailrides and hiking-only trips are outfitted on a charter basis exclusively.