WALKING & HIKING BRYCE & ZION CASUAL INNS

Transcription

1 WALKING & HIKING BRYCE & ZION CASUAL INNS Walk and the morning goes by, walk some more and three days pass. Time has its own rules here. You remind yourself that time and water are to blame for all this. Not blame, thank. It s so indescribable. Sometimes it s an illusion. Are those miniature formations or massive ones? One second the geology is like a city skyline, the next it s another planet. The colors, the plant life, the birds and animals, you re forever wondering how they all got here. It s a place that gets along pretty well without people. And as you walk, you ll be glad about that. 15WZBQR1A (6/30/14)

2 NEVER SUBCONTRACTED We operate our own trips around the globe. That way we control the quality and we're fully responsible for your great experience. This trip was AWESOME!!! The group was delightful and our leaders stupendous! Our guides were first rate, professional, and amazingly organized. They made this trip amazing. I can't thank them enough! I would reccommend this trip to anyone that truly wants appreciate Bryce and Zion at their best. One of my best vacations yet! Victoria Spillman - Sacramento, CA Click HERE to read more guest reviews TWO SUPPORT VANS We provide two support vans on all of our trips* so you can count on us to be there when you need us, regardless of the route you take. THREE LEADERS Our trips have three leaders*, for an average 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio. Guests consistently score our leaders 9.7 out of 10, telling us they make all the difference. THOUGHTFUL TRIP DESIGN We know how to create exceptional travel experiences, ensuring that you get the most from every moment as your trip unfolds. MULTIPLE DAILY ROUTES Being able to choose among several expertly designed routes each day gives you the freedom to enjoy the best of a region at your own pace. WE CELEBRATE MIXED ABILITIES To accommodate varied activity levels, you need three leaders, two vans, multiple route options, detailed directions, a rating system showing if shuttles are required, and plenty of well-matched riding/hiking companions. *95% of Backroads guests travel with the support of two or more vans and three leaders. The remaining 5% are on trips with very few guests where only one van and two leaders are needed to maintain our high standards. Click HERE to learn more about the Backroads Quality Index 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS Click HERE for departure dates and pricing details ROUTE RATING LEVELS 1 3 See below for details TO RESERVE YOUR TRIP Sign up online HERE or call 800-GO-ACTIVE ( ) or Open daily 6 a.m. 6 p.m. Pacific time

3 We want to make sure you re on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Accommodations & Service Standards The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it s the only game in town - and has been selected because of its access to the best hiking in the region. Although clean and comfortable, the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation). Generally speaking, service can seem slow and brusque in the national parks when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips. Interpretive Guides & Hiking Without Your Leaders Your Backroads leaders can hike with you in Bryce Canyon National Park, but due to permit restrictions for all outfitters, can't act as interpretive guides. In Zion National Park they will be limited to guiding on certain trails. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area s flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes. Day 1 On the first day of the trip, meet your Backroads Trip Leaders (the folks in Backroads T-Shirts) in St. George, Utah, either at: 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn ( ), located at 1129 Bluff Street (see Where to Stay Before & After Your Trip for more information on the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn) or 9:45 a.m. at the St. George Shuttle office, located at 1275 East Red Hills Parkway Please arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you might want for today s hike. Shuttle to Zion National Park 1 Hour Emerald Pools Trail 2.9 Miles (400 elevation gain) Welcome to the Beehive State! After meeting in St. George, we shuttle to the beautiful Virgin River, just outside Zion National Park, for a picnic lunch. From here it s a quick drive to the park entrance, where we take the park s shuttle bus to Zion Lodge, the starting point for our warm-up hike to Emerald Pools. Hiking Zion s vast network of trails is the best way to experience the park, as they offer spectacular views that can t be seen from the roads. We begin by passing through a small forest of cottonwood, box elder and Gambel oak en route to the pools, whose lovely cascades are fed by a year-round creek out of Heaps Canyon. The higher up you hike, the drier the habitat becomes, with yucca, cacti, scrub oak and the ubiquitous pinyon pines and junipers lining the route. Following the hike, we settle in at our home for the next three nights, the modern Desert Pearl Inn, boasting incredible views of Zion s towering cliffs. You ll find plenty of time during your stay to enjoy the hotel s steaming hot tub and sparkling swimming pool. This evening a local naturalist joins us to share insight into the region s fascinating geology and human history and to answer questions before we stroll down the street for dinner at a local favorite restaurant. Lodging: Desert Pearl Inn 3 QUESTIONS? Call

4 Day 2 Walking & Hiking Options: Scout Lookout Route: 4 Miles (1,000 elevation gain) Angels Landing Route: 5.4 Miles (1,500 ) West Rim: 6 Miles (1,500 ) Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning in preparation for today s scenic journey. Our morning hike to Scout Lookout begins with a steady steep climb above the river to Refrigerator Canyon before a laborious ascent up Walter s Wiggles, a series of switchbacks carved into the cliff. From Scout Lookout, you can continue to Angels Landing (if heights don t bother you), a sheer wedge of rock looming 1,500 feet above the valley floor. The last half-mile to the landing runs along a steep narrow ridge with a dizzying drop-off on either side. Chains bolted into the rock steady you on the way up. It sounds scarier than it is just take your time and relax. The view from the landing is a 360- degree panorama of soaring rock faces and the yawning abyss of Zion Canyon. If you re looking for extra miles to cover, from Scout Lookout (or after conquering Angels Landing) you can continue on the West Rim Trail for more spectacular views. Or opt to head back to the valley floor whenever you re ready. Perhaps the pool is calling? Dinner tonight is at the lively Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon don t miss their excellent fresh fruit margaritas! Lodging: Desert Pearl Inn CASUAL INNS DESERT PEARL INN 3 NIGHTS (ABOVE) This welcoming riverside lodge has views of the stunning red cliffs of Zion. (pool) Zion National Park THE LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON 2 NIGHTS This simple park lodge, a National Historic Landmark, is just a stone s throw from the canyon rim. Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking 4

5 Day 3 Walking & Hiking Options: Riverside Walk: 2 Miles (100 elevation gain) The Narrows to Orderville: 5 Miles (300 ) The Narrows to Wall Street: 8 Miles (600 ) Observation Point Out & Back: 8.2 Miles (2,200 ) This morning we embark on an exciting trek through The Narrows the park s most popular hike. Trudge through shallow rocky water into the inner gorge of the Virgin River as it forges through rock in this granddaddy of all slot canyons. Small waterfalls and hanging gardens tumble down the canyon walls, which reach up to 1,000 feet high. If you do this challenging hike, you will get wet, so be sure to wear closed-toe shoes with good tread that you don t mind getting soaked. See During Your Trip for additional details. (Note: If there is a threat of flash floods, the park service will close the trail for safety reasons. Should this occur during your trip, your leaders will provide you with a great hiking alternative.) Your leaders can accompany you as far as the Virgin River. They share tips on walking through The Narrows before you venture into the canyon. If your prefer to keep your feet dry, there are many other trails to explore, including the popular hiketo Observation Point. Climbing more than 2,000 feet in just over 4 miles, the route is strenuous, but the sweeping ROUTE RATING INFORMATION The routes on this trip are rated Levels 1 3. LEVEL miles 2 3 hours LEVEL miles 2 4 hours LEVEL miles 3 5 hours Review the Route Rating section on the web for more details on daily route options. KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE We are always seeking opportunities to enhance this itinerary. We ll be certain to notify you of any important changes prior to departure; other changes may be communicated on trip by your leaders. canyon vistas make it well worth the effort. Start off with a steep incline along a series of switchbacks, enjoying panoramic views of Big Bend and the Great White Throne as you ascend. The trail then winds through Echo Canyon, a beautiful slot canyon with undulating sandstone walls, and continues upward on more steep switchbacks. Upon reaching the pinnacle. Look down onto Angel's Landing and take in expansive views of the high backcountry plateaus as you enjoy lunch and a well-deserved rest before heading back down the way you came. If you choose not to hike, you can join Zion Adventure Company on a full-day introduction to technical canyoneering (no experience required). (This activity is not included in the trip price). For a more leisurely day, take a stroll through the charming town of Springdale or enjoy a book by the pool at our hotel. However you decide to spend the day, you ll find amazing natural beauty at every turn. Tonight, your leaders are happy to share suggestions on their favorite local eateries for dinner on your own in Springdale. Lodging: Desert Pearl Inn Day 4 Shuttle to Bryce Canyon National Park 2½ Hours Walking & Hiking Options: Rim Trail to Fairyland Point Route: 2.2 Miles (300 elevation gain) Fairyland Loop: 5.8 Miles (1,200 ) Fairyland Loop to Bryce Lodge Route: 8.9 Miles (1,800 ) Bid farewell to the soaring cliffs of Zion as we make our way to Bryce Canyon National Park this morning, watching the desert landscape give way to the green meadows of the Sevier River Valley. As we drive through Red Canyon, you ll get a preview of Bryce Canyon s unique rock formations. Arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park, we enjoy a picnic near the canyon rim, before setting out on our 5 QUESTIONS? Call

6 hike to explore this stunning and unique landscape. The park s namesake, Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, deemed this stunning region a hell of a place to lose a cow. Take one look at the amphitheater s maze of spires, hoodoos, windows, walls and pinnacles, and you ll know exactly what he meant. Take in distant views of the Grand Staircase and Escalante before descending into the canyon via Fairyland Loop, a seldom-visited section of the park filled with fantastical hoodoos, the totem pole-shaped rock spires that characterize Bryce. Along the trail we are treated to views of Boat Mesa rising above the top of hoodoos. Pass by Sinking Ship, a rock formation floating in the distance. The enormous China Wall, a rampart of hoodoos and rock protruding out from Bryce's Pink Cliffs, guides us through the canyon before our ascent back to the canyon s rim. We spend tonight at rustic Bryce Canyon Lodge, set in a pine forest a short walk from the canyon rim. After dinner, a starlight stroll may be the perfect way to cap off your evening. Lodging: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Day 5 Walking & Hiking Options: Queen s Garden/Navajo Loop: 3.4 Miles (600 elevation gain) Rim Trail Extension Route: 2.5 Miles (300 ) Peek-a-Boo Loop: 6.9 Miles (1,600 ) This morning we set out along the rim of Bryce Canyon for spectacular views and a look at some of Bryce s most famous hoodoos. Trek into the canyon, where whimsically shaped rock formations huddle beneath the watchful gaze of the Queen Victoria hoodoo. You ll feel at times as if you re walking through a petrified forest or even on another planet. Bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, thrive in this barren environment; keep on the lookout for a ridge covered with these ancient trees. From Queen s Garden, join the Navajo Loop Trail and walk through Wall Street, an impressive slot canyon with overhanging walls that are only ten feet apart in some places. Prepare for a steep climb up to the rim at Sunset Point, or take a detour on Peek-a-Boo Loop, a fairly strenuous trail with plenty of ups and downs as well as views of other famed formations including Fairy Castle, the Alligator, the Silent City and the Wall of Windows. You can also opt to explore the canyon on horseback (this activity is not included in the trip price, and reservations should be made in advance; see During Your Trip for details). There s plenty of time this afternoon to take in the views, this afternoon to take a stroll and savor the remarkable scenery or just relax at the lodge. Lodging: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Day 6 Shuttle to Kolob Canyon 2½ Hours Timber Creek Lookout 1 Mile (100 elevation gain) Shuttle to St. George 1 Hour Leaving Bryce Canyon, we catch our final glimpses of other-worldly hoodoos as we shuttle through Red Canyon and then onto the Paunsaugunt Plateau. We climb to Navajo Lake and then pass by the edge of Cedar Breaks National Monument on our way to Kolob Canyon in the northwest corner of Zion. A short walk to Timber Creek Lookout provides views of Kolob Canyon, Timber Top Mountain, Hurricane Cliffs and, far in the distance, St. George. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the trailhead before returning to St. George, where the trip ends. Please see Arriving & Departing for end-of-trip logistics. Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking 6

7 Arriving & Departing See Day 1 for meeting time and location. Please inform us of your arrival and departure plans on your Personal Information form. ARRIVING LATE TO THE TRIP START? If you have a delay or emergency on the day your trip starts and need to contact Backroads, please your Trip Leaders (you ll receive an 24 hours prior to the trip start with their contact info) or call the Backroads office at (domestic) or (international), this afternoon to take a stroll and savor the remarkable scenery or just relax at the lodge.6 a.m. 6 p.m. Pacific time. If you miss the pickup in St. George, it s possible for you to get to the Desert Pearl Inn on your own. Red Rock Shuttle ( ) offers service between St. George and Zion National Park for $125 one-way, for up to four people. Although 24-hour advance reservations are preferred, same-day service may be possible, based on availability. CONCLUSION OF THE TRIP The trip ends between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m. (Mountain time) in St. George at the St. George Shuttle office, located at 1275 East Red Hills Parkway. From here you can catch the 2 p.m. St. George Shuttle to the Las Vegas airport, arriving at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Pacific time). The trip takes just over 2 hours. (Note the 1-hour time zone change.) If you are using the St. George Shuttle on Day 1 to reach our meeting location, remember to make round-trip reservations when booking the St. George Shuttle from Las Vegas. If you re flying out of Las Vegas on the last day of the trip, please schedule your return flight for after 5 p.m. The Backroads van will also stop at the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn in St. George, arriving at approximately 2:15 p.m. Note that in Las Vegas, the St. George Shuttle only stops at McCarran International Airport. If you d like to extend your stay in the area, taxis and shuttles are available from the airport. FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS We recommend either flying into McCarran International Airport (airport code: LAS; in Las Vegas, Nevada, and arranging ground transportation to St. George, or flying directly into St. George Municipal Airport (SGU; Delta Airlines ( ) offers several daily flights into St. George from Salt Lake City (SLC; The trip takes about 1½ hours. For help arranging air transport to and from your Backroads trip, please work with your own travel agent or you may choose to work with the Backroads Travel Desk. Our expert travel advisors are ready to share their insiders knowledge of Backroads and our worldwide destinations. These professional agents are available to assist you with any of your travel needs. Call 800-GO- ACTIVE ( ) to be connected with an advisor. Please note that consulting or ticketing fees may apply, depending on the services requested. The Backroads Travel Desk is open Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Pacific time. TRANSPORTATION IN LAS VEGAS The following transportation services are available between McCarran International Airport and hotels on the Strip and in downtown Las Vegas. For additional options, visit the airport s website at Bell Trans ( or ) offers shared shuttle service from the airport to the Strip for $7 per person one-way or $14 roundtrip. Service to downtown is $8.50 per person one-way or $17 round-trip. You can buy tickets outside Door No. 9 in the baggage claim area. For departures from hotels back to the airport, you must make reservations at least 24 hours before your flight. The shuttle runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and picks up and drops off at all downtown and Strip hotels. 7 QUESTIONS? Call

8 Citizens Area Transit (CAT) System ( ) is also a reliable way to navigate Las Vegas. The Paradise bus (No. 108) departs the airport about every 30 minutes from below the baggage claim area at Level 0 (zero). There is a drop-off at the Sahara Station, a block from the Strip. The trip takes about 25 minutes and costs $2. Taxis are also available. You can find them on the east side of the baggage claim, outside Doors No GROUND TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN LAS VEGAS & ST. GEORGE St. George Shuttle (1275 East Red Hills Parkway; or ) runs between McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and St. George. Standard shuttle service costs $39 per person one-way and $69 per person round-trip, plus gratuity. Executive shuttle service costs $49 per person one-way and $88 per person round-trip, plus gratuity. The trip takes just over 2 hours. It is advisable to make reservations at least three weeks in advance. Reservations must be made by phone. Please tell the reservations agent that you are on a Backroads trip, and remember to schedule the 2 p.m. return shuttle back to Las Vegas at the end of the trip. If you re traveling from Las Vegas to St. George on Day 1 of the trip, please take the 6 a.m. (Pacific time) shuttle, which picks up at the Las Vegas airport on Level 0 (zero) and arrives at the St. George Shuttle office at 9:10 a.m. (Mountain time). If you have difficulty locating the shuttle or it appears to be running late, call the shuttle office for an update on the status of your pickup. PRICES & SCHEDULES All prices and schedules were current at the time of printing, but are subject to change at any time. DRIVING TO ST. GEORGE Directions to Best Western Plus Abbey Inn The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn is located at 1129 Bluff Street in St. George, Utah. From Las Vegas (120 miles/2 hours): Take Interstate 15 north to St. George. Take Exit 6 to South Bluff Street and turn left at the end of the ramp. Cross over the interstate to stay on Bluff Street. The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn Inn is on the right. Please note that you will lose one hour between Las Vegas (Pacific time) and St. George (Mountain time). From Salt Lake City (300 miles/5 hours): Take Interstate 15 south to St. George. Take Exit 6 to South Bluff Street and turn right at the end of the ramp onto Bluff Street. The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn is on the right. PARKING IN ST. GEORGE You can park your car at the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn for the duration of the trip if you have reserved a room at the inn before or after the trip. Please identify yourself at the front desk as a Backroads guest and they ll let you know where to park. If you are not staying at the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn, you can park your car at the St. George Municipal Airport ( for $4 a day and then take a taxi to your hotel. Directions to St. George Municipal Airport From Las Vegas (120 miles/2 hours): Take Interstate 15 North to Route 2 (Southern Parkway). Go east on Route 2 to Airport Parkway (Exit 2). Go north on Airport Parkway. At the roundabout, turn right onto Airport Road. From Salt Lake City (300 miles/5 hours): Take Interstate 15 South to Route 2 (Southern Parkway). Go east on Route 2 to Airport Parkway (Exit 2). Go north on Airport Parkway. At the roundabout, turn right onto Airport Road. Parking is available at the Terminal Building. Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking 8

9 TRANSPORTATION IN & AROUND ST. GEORGE St. George Shuttle (1275 East Red Hills Parkway; or ) offers transportation between the St. George Municipal Airport and their office on East Red Hills Parkway and nearby hotels. The trip costs $25 for one person, $5 for each additional passenger. Higher fares apply for locations outside the St. George area. Reservations are recommended and need to be made via phone. Quality Cab ( ) offers transportation between the St. George Municipal Airport and downtown St. George for $35. Most point-to-point fares within St. George are $15 or less. Car rental companies with offices at the St. George airport include Avis ( ) and Hertz ( ). Climate The only rule about weather in canyon country is that there is no rule! Please be prepared for varied climates on this trip. Because the changes in elevation as we travel are substantial, you may experience a wide range of weather conditions in a single day. You may awake to a chilly, frost-dusted landscape, but be baking in the heat of the desert sun by mid-afternoon. (Keep in mind that it s dry heat, which is generally more comfortable than humid heat.) Although most of the areas we visit are considered arid, afternoon thunderstorms are always possible, and occasionally it rains all day. We strongly suggest bringing quality waterproof rain gear made of a breathable material. There is also a slight possibility of snow at higher elevations (7,500 feet and above) in late May/early June and late September/early October. This is a rare occurrence, however, and the snow usually melts when it hits the ground. Please see Suggested Packing List for more details on clothing and gear. High and low temperatures degrees outside the following normal ranges are not uncommon! Springdale, Utah Zion National Park (4,000 ) Average: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun High F Low F Precip. inches Average: Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High F Low F Precip. inches Bryce Canyon (8,000 ) Average: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun High F Low F Precip. inches Average: Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High F Low F Precip. inches QUESTIONS? Call

10 Where to Stay Before & After Your Trip For help making hotel reservations for before and after your Backroads trip, please work with your own travel agent, or you may choose to work with the Backroads Travel Desk. Call 800-GO-ACTIVE ( ) to be connected with an advisor. Please note that consulting or ticketing fees may apply, depending on the services requested. The Backroads Travel Desk is open Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Pacific time. Of course, we also recommend extending your stay at any of the hotels we visit on this trip; see the accommodations sidebar for details. Refer to the Hotel Room Rate Guide for starting doubleoccupancy rates. Note that the chart reflects the internet and/or best available rates, which were accurate at the time of printing, but hotel rates are always subject to change. Also be aware that some hotels may require a minimum stay. We recommend that you consult directly with the hotels for specific details, as these requirements can change depending on the season and time of the week. Book early, especially during peak travel season! ST. GEORGE Best Western Plus Abbey Inn (A meeting location on Day 1 & a drop-off location on Day 6) Located in the heart of downtown St. George, this hotel is the perfect jumping off point for your Bryce and Zion adventure. Let them know you are a Backroads guest when booking special rates may apply. (pool) 1129 South Bluff Street or rooms & suites Rates: Coral Springs Resort This stylish all-suite resort has world-class luxury resort amenities. The suites are complete a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, dining room and private courtyard. Please note there is no on-site dining. The closest available dining is in St. George, a 15 minute drive from the hotel. (pool, spa, tennis) 98 North 6680 West suites Rates: Courtyard by Marriott This clean cheerful Courtyard by Marriott features an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub and fitness facilities. (pool) 185 South 1470 East or rooms Rates: Green Gate Village Historic Inn Comprised of nine meticulously restored homes and cottages, each with its own unique layout and décor, this enchanting village is full of the same historic character and charm that you d have found in the late 1800s. 76 West Tabernacle homes, each with 1 4 private rooms or suites Rates: IVINS: NEAR ST. GEORGE Red Mountain Resort & Spa Surrounded by an inspiring landscape of canyons and dramatic rock formations, this resort offers the perfect setting in which to relax and be pampered. Children ages 12 and up are welcome. (pool, spa) 1275 East Red Mountain Circle or rooms & 24 suites Rates: LAS VEGAS STRIP The Wynn Las Vegas One of the most distinguished hotels on The Vegas Strip, the Wynn sets itself apart with opulent luxury down to the finest detail. (pool, spa, golf) Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2014; Travel + Leisure World s Best Las Vegas Boulevard South or ,700 suites Rates: Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking 10

11 Bellagio The Bellagio invites you into an extravagant world of glamour and decadence unlike any other. (pool, spa) Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2014; Travel + Leisure World s Best Las Vegas Boulevard South ,933 rooms & suites Rates: Mandarin Oriental A 47-story luxury hotel with Asian-inspired decor, located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip. (pool, spa) Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2014; Travel + Leisure World s Best Las Vegas Boulevard South or rooms & suites Rates: The Palazzo Not just another mega-hotel on the Strip, The Palazzo takes a different approach to the luxury casino-hotel and arguably, does it better than many of its rivals. (pool, spa) Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2014; Travel + Leisure World s Best Las Vegas Boulevard South ,025 suites Rates: The Venetian Recreating Venice under one enormous roof, The Venetian The Palazzo s sister property offers a world of piazzas, arched bridges, exclusive Italian boutiques, frescoed corridors and gold ceilings. (pool, spa) 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South or ,027 suites Rates: Caesars Palace From the temples, heroic arches, golden charioteers and renovated Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis to the impressive interiors, this hotel is a tribute to Roman opulence. (pool, spa) 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard ,348 rooms & suites Rates: OFF THE STRIP Platinum Hotel & Spa This all-suite boutique hotel is a refined and welcoming retreat in the heart of the city. Gourmet kitchens, balconies, plasma screen televisions and room to breathe (all suites are at least 900 square feet) are what makes the Platinum Hotel feel like a home away from home. (pool, spa) 211 East Flamingo Road or suites Rates: Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Located ten miles west of The Strip, the Red Rock offers a resort atmosphere with views of beautiful Red Rock Canyon. (pool, spa) West Charleston Boulevard or rooms & suites Rates: Renaissance Las Vegas Sophisticated and luxurious, this non-gaming hotel is just two blocks from the decadence of Las Vegas Boulevard yet offers relief from the buzz of the humongous Strip hotels. (pool) 3400 Paradise Road or rooms & suites Rates: For Your Convenience While the following hotels are more basic than the above recommendations, we ve included them for their comfortable accommodations and convenient locations. Best Western McCarran Inn (Las Vegas Airport) 4970 Paradise Road or rooms Rates: The Orleans Hotel & Casino (Off the Strip) 4500 West Tropicana Avenue or ,885 rooms Rates: SPECIAL HOTEL SAVINGS Backroads has negotiated special rates for our guests at many hotels around the world. To find hotels with these exclusive Backroads savings, please visit 11 QUESTIONS? Call

12 EXTENDING YOUR VACATION Grand Canyon River Trips If you re interested in planning a Grand Canyon river trip before or after your Backroads trip, there are scores of possibilities, including half-day, full-day and overnight rafting trips, as well as motorized and non-motorized trips that range in length from a day to a couple weeks. For more information, visit the National Park Service at One popular outfitter, O.A.R.S., offers several types of excursions, some of which meet at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon or in Flagstaff, Arizona, a charming mountain town about 80 miles from the South Rim. Others meet in Las Vegas, with a helicopter ride to the banks of the Colorado. Trips range from 4 to 16 days. For more information, visit or call O.A.R.S at Other Worthwhile Destinations Snow Canyon State Park, with its great desert scenery and volcanic formations, is just a short drive from St. George. Also worth a visit is the area around Moab in eastern Utah home to two magnificent national parks (Arches and Canyonlands) where red, pink and burntorange rock formations provide the perfect setting for world-class hiking and mountain biking. Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking 12