Compare Colorado River Traverse by Wildland Trekking vs USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali by G Adventures
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 1,185 | $ 2,252 |
| Price Per Day | $ 198 | $ 250 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Camping | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners |
| Description |
The Colorado River Traverse is a demanding and rewarding backpacking trip in the Eastern Grand Canyon. This is a 4-6 day trekking adventure that follows the Colorado River from the Tanner Trail to the New Hance Trail (or the Grandview Trail on the 6-day itinerary). The Colorado River Traverse is one of our most aggressive itineraries and will take you to remote and wild areas. This trip features fantastic Colorado River beach camping, stunning slot canyons and out-of-this-world views. You'll spend days having the Canyon all to yourself, eating surprisingly great backcountry cuisine, learning about the history of the Canyon, and soaking up the magic of this extraordinary landscape! |
California is the land of dreamers and schemers and we schemed up quite the adventure for you. Start in LA and travel north to San Francisco along Highway 1 on this short nine-day trip. Then, head inland to see mighty Yosemite National Park and all of the beautiful hikes and views that landscape has to offer before driving back to southern California for an included surf lesson. Sounds like a win in our book! |
Day 1
Shuttle to the South Rim: 2-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Loss: 4650 feet
We begin this Grand Canyon backpacking tour with a journey down the Tanner Trail to a stunning beach campsite on the Colorado River. The trail is long and steep and we’ll rejuvenate by soaking tired feet in the icy waters of the Colorado River. Relax in camp tonight as your guide prepares a hearty meal to the sound of Tanner Canyon Rapids.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: 1200
We’ll rise early to take advantage of hiking during the cooler morning hours. Today’s hike travels west along the Escalante Route of the Colorado River. Our goal is to reach Escalante Creek beach, a stunning side canyon that empties into the Colorado River. Relaxing by the river is one of the best rewards at the end of another day in Grand Canyon.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4-7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 850-1650 feet
Day 3 is often considered the most scenic and adventurous of all - following breakfast we’ll break camp and continue west until we reach Seventyfive Mile Creek; a serpentine slot canyon that pours into the Colorado. Some technical but photo-worthy terrain lies between here and our campsite. Our goal today is Red Canyon beach which may just be the most pristine beach in all of the Grand Canyon. Time permitting, we may choose to continue up Red Canyon for camp, shortening our exit day.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 4-7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2800-4450 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 2 hours from the South Rim
A hearty breakfast will precede our hike out as we make our way to the rim. We’ll ascend out of Red Canyon and traverse the Supai and Red Wall formations into an old creek bed. After following the creek for awhile we’ll scramble up out of the creek bed to the trailhead and our ride back to Flagstaff.
5-Day Variation
On the 5-day version of this trip we add a layover day at Tanner Beach in order to explore up further up the Colorado River. This version extends the time in the backcountry at a stunning location and provides fantastic day hiking in one of the most remote and stunning sections of the Grand Canyon. This variation adds anywhere between 2 and 8 miles of additional hiking with minor elevation gain/loss.
6-Day Variation
This trip also makes a great 6-day trip by skipping the layover day (on the 5-day itinerary) and continuing to hike west on the Tonto Trail to Hance Creek, instead of heading up the New Hance Trail. We continue past Paige Spring to Horseshoe Mesa, where we’ll have the opportunity to explore an old copper mine and the Cave of the Domes (the only cave in Grand Canyon National Park visitors are allowed to explore). Then we hike out on the Grandview Trail, named for some of the biggest views in the Grand Canyon; as much as 100 miles on a clear day! This variation adds 12 miles of hiking and little to no changes in elevation from the 4-day itinerary.
Day 1 Los Angeles/Santa Margarita
Group will depart Los Angeles in the morning and drive to Santa Monica. Walk the iconic Santa Monica pier this morning or spend some time cruising the shoreline. Not in the mood for the beach? That's cool, maybe consider visiting the Santa Monica farmers market to stock up on all sorts of local goodies. Grab a quick bite to eat for lunch in Santa Monica and travel northwest to San Luis Obispo for a quick detour to see the chewing gum alley and to grab any last minute provisions before heading to our campsite for the night.
Day 2 Santa Margarita/Santa Cruz
Today is all about Highway 1. Devote the entire day to seeing the best of the best along this famous route. Stop to see Elephant Seals, walk through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and make stops in Carmel and Monterey en route to the next destination. Later in the day set up camp in Santa Cruz.
Day 3 Santa Cruz/San Francisco
Head out from camp in the morning and continue up Highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay. Your CEO will take you on a brief orientation of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights then hit the town on your own or join a sunset sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 4 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
Leave San Francisco behind this morning as you drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer’s market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.
Day 5 Yosemite National Park
Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.
Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.
Day 6 Yosemite National Park
Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley. This park is a hiker’s paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won’t have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.
Day 7 Yosemite National Park/Hermosa Beach
Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Hermosa Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.
After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.
Day 8 Hermosa Beach
Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy. Afterwards, enjoy free time on Hermosa Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.
Day 9 Hermosa Beach/Los Angeles
In the morning travel to Los Angeles. The adventure ends upon arrival.
