Itinerary

Day 0:  Arrival in St George

Guests fly into Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). They arrange for their own shuttle to St. George, Utah via one of the available St. George shuttles (St. George Shuttle; St. George Express) or a rental vehicle.
The tour meets early morning on Day 1. Exact time will be sent in the tour’s confirmation document.
Alternatively, guests can also fly into the smaller SGU Regional Airport (SGU). Which is serviced by Delta Air Lines from Salt Lake City, Utah and United Airlines from Denver, Colorado.

Day 1: Fish Lake to Torrey

Your tour begins with a back country bike ride from Fish Lake, a high alpine lake located in the Fishlake/Southern Wasatch Plateau region of south-central Utah. Where riders are treated to quiet Scenic Byway 72 with little traffic. Numerous viewpoints provide expansive views of the desert 3,000-feet below. This ride is one of Utah’s hidden gems.
From Fish Lake, descend to tonight’s accommodations at the relaxing oasis, Red River Ranch. The Fremont River flows through the ranch, twelve bison live on site, giant cottonwood trees shade the buildings and the ranch sits beneath towering red rock cliffs.
Standard, 41 miles with up to 1400 feet of climbing

Day 2: Boulder Mountain Ride – Torrey to Boulder

Today’s 1st destination is Capitol Reef National Park. From our lodging in Torrey, we descend through a Redrock amphitheater to the Fremont River canyon. Where it cuts through the main geologic feature of the National Park, the Waterpocket Fold.
The Fold is a wrinkle in the earth’s surface that extends for nearly 100 miles. Creating a dramatic landscape of rugged cliffs and canyons, natural bridges, arches, and distinct formations in the heart of red rock country. This warp in the Earth’s crust is a classic monocline: a steep fold on one side of otherwise horizontal geological layers and it is about 7,000 feet higher in the west than on the east.

In the park we ride past ancient pictographs and depending on the season, enjoy fruit from the park service’s historic fruit trees. After lunch, for the second destination of the day, we shuttle or ride back to Torrey for the ascent of Boulder Mountain! Brace yourself – it can be a soul crushing 3,000-foot ascent to Boulder Mountains life-affirming 9,300-summit!

All in all, the 36-mile route from Torrey to Boulder climbs the Aquarius Plateau (a.k.a. Boulder Mountain). With spectacular views far below of Capitol Reef National Park, the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains. This is what Utah’s famed canyon country is all about. From the top of Boulder Mountain, fly 15-miles down to the oasis of Boulder.
Distance: standard, 46 miles with up to 2900 feet of climbing
or 95 miles with up to 6,505 feet of climbing

Day 3: Burr Trail, Long Canyon Loop & Calf Creek Waterfall

On Day 3 be amazed as you ride the Burr Trail past the 400-foot tall Wingate sandstone walls of Long Canyon to a dazzling view across the high desert canyonlands (35 miles round trip).
After experiencing Long’s Canyon, one can ride (or shuttle) 11-miles across the Hogback’s to Calf Creek falls where cycling shoes are exchanged for hiking shoes. It is a 3 mile hike to reach the desert oasis of the 126-foot tall Calf Creek Falls (an all time best swimming hole)!
Following Calf Creek Falls, cyclists can pedal 11-glorious miles back to the Boulder Mountain Lodge or shuttle. For dinner we’ll unwind and dine at the award-winning Hell’s Backbone Grill where gracious owners and wonderful hosts, Jenn and Blake, treat you to a truly delicious and eclectic offering of fine dining choices. Their restaurant has received numerous praise, including this New York Times Story.
Distance Standard: 35 miles with 3,000 ft climbing
6-miles world class hike to Calf Creek Falls
Challenging: 65 miles with 4,700 ft of climbing

Day 4: Boulder, Utah to Bryce National Park

Today we head southwest towards Bryce Canyon NP along Utah State Highway 12. This is arguably one of the best cycling roads in the state, maybe the country. It twists and turns and climbs and dives among ridges, mesas, and valleys of the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. A 1.9 million acre spectacle of multi-hued cliffs and terraces, with distances that defy human perspective.
There are multiple mileage options available for today of between 30 to 78 miles from Boulder, Utah to Bryce Canyon. Do multiple “bumps” and cherry pick the sections you wish to ride, or go the full distance and experience the entire route. No matter what mileage option you choose, the highlight of today’s ride is certainly Highway 12 along the ridge of Hell’s Backbone – an awe inspiring exposed piece of highway dropping hundreds of feet on either side.
Lodging tonight is at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon within Bryce Canyon National Park. After a group dinner in the dining room at The Lodge, prepare to take an exhilarating night hike under the stars inside the park.
Distance: challenging 78 miles with between 2,000 and 5,900 feet of climbing
35 – 45 lower miles options

Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park

Today offers a two-segment ride from the high point of Bryce Canyon National Park through the spectacular Red Canyon and then into Zion National Park
On segment #1 we ride to Sunrise Point, the top of Bryce Canyon National Park, for a spectacular early morning view. From the top of the park we ride mostly down through the park and onto the Red Canyon Bike Trail, a marvelous bike path which descend 7-miles to the Red Canyon visitor center. NOTE: This first segment’s mileage can be reduced by 16-miles with a shuttle to the top of the park.
From here we shuttle to Segment #2. NOTE: The shuttle is 22-miles long along a road that can be a bit busy. If riders wish to ride this section, they can do so.
Segment #2 offers 15 or 25-miles with 1,400-feet of climbing and 2,700-feet of descending. The ride starts from Mt. Caramel Junction and proceeds into the west entrance of Zion National Park. Jaw dropping sights await including: Checkerboard Mesa, 2,000-foot high sandstone walls, the Zion Tunnel, deep canyons and the switchbacks into the town of Springdale, Utah!
Standard, 57 to challenging 73 miles extra miles option: Climb of Pain and Anguish to Panguitch. This adds about 60 miles of riding and 5,000 feet of climbing!
Segment #1: 32 or 48-miles
Segment #2 15 or 25-miles

Day 6: Layover in Springdale.

With a layover day in Springdale, optional on-your-own unguided hiking in Zion National Park certainly beckons and we highly recommend you take advantage of it as Zion offers some of the most scenic hiking of all the national parks.
Take the free Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale into the park for hiking and then back again when you are finished. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy your hike.
Some of the trails we recommend in Zion National Park are Angel’s Landing, The Narrows through the Virgin River and Weeping Rock… among many others!
An optional on-your-own out and back 75 mile route from Springdale to Kolob Terrace and back can also be ridden. This route offers tremendous views of Zion from above through a diverse landscape.
Hiking Options in Zion National Park
Optional Ride, Kolob Canyon Out & Back, 75 miles with up to 6,500 feet of climbing

Day 7: Springdale, Utah to Virgin River Narrows

On our final day of the tour, we breakfast early and then embark on an early morning sunrise ride into Zion National Park.
First we will ride a flat 7 miles on a park road closed to private vehicles as bikes rule here. Upon entering Zion, the riding experience is sublime with canyon walls towering over 2,000-feet above the road and early morning sunlight dancing along the tops of the white rock peaks… it is gorgeous!
Upon reaching the end of the ride, there will be more options to hike around Zion canyon. Another option instead of the riding or hiking is to relax in the quaint downtown of Springdale.
In the mid-afternoon (Saturday), you can take the shuttle back to our meeting hotel in St. George. Choose to spend a night in St. George, or take the shuttle back to Las Vegas.
If you would like to extend your stay in Zion National Park, you are welcome to do so, but all reservations are on-your-own to make in advance. We will even transport your bike back to the shop and have it shipped for you, if you brought your own wheels.
Zion Sunrise Ride, 16 miles with up to 1090 feet of climbing

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Boulder, Bryce, & Zion Bike tour

Night 1: Red River Ranch, or Torrey Schoolhouse Bed & Breakfast Inn, or Broken Spur Inn, Torrey, Utah (elevation 6,837′)

Nights 2 & 3: Boulder Mountain Lodge or Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch Boulder, Utah (elevation 6,703′)

Night 4: Bryce Canyon Lodge Cabins or Ruby’s Inn, Bryce, Utah (elevation 7,664′)

Nights 5 & 6: Cliffrose Lodge Springdale, Utah (elevation 3,898′)

Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.
Please note:The first three nights of the Utah Mountains tour stays at two of our favorite lodges, the Boulder Mt. Lodge and Red River Ranch. On very limited occurrences at these first two lodges single room supplement guests will have a private room with separate entrance, but may have to share a bath with one other guest. This infrequent arrangement is due to the room variations at these boutique lodges. Although we could stay in standard hotels that offer basic private rooms and private baths for everyone, we feel the lodging experience at both these highly regarded lodges offers an overall improvement to our tour experience.

Included:

• 6 nights lodging
• All meals included.
• Guide service.
• Entrance fees .
• Shuttles and mechanical support.(during the tour)

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour not included.
• Bike rental. Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.
• Flights to and from the trip.
• Gratuity guides.
• Alcoholic beverages

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2024: $ 3640.-pp. Single fee $ 595.-
Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels
Bike rental:
Scott Addict 10 $ 250.- per week
Scott E-bike road bikes with straight bars $ 395.- per week
Tour dates 2024:
29 Sep – 05 Oct
20 Oct – 26 Oct, fully booked
Tour dates 2025:
20 Apr – 26 Apr
27 Apr – 03 May
04 May – 10 May
11 May – 17 May
18 May – 24 May
25 May – 31 May
01 Jun – 07 Jun
08 Jun – 14 Jun
27 Jul – 02 Aug

Conditions

Deposit $ 950.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Flying to the Utah Mountains Tour: Clients fly into Las Vegas, Nevada and shuttle to St. George, Utah. St. George is 1.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) airport. Regular shuttle service is available between Vegas and St. George on the St. George Shuttle. The St. George shuttle service delivers passengers to their shuttle base which is about a mile from the designated meeting hotel. Before arriving at the shuttle base passengers should call the designated meeting hotel and ask for their shuttle vehicle to pick them up at the St. George Shuttle base.

NOTE #1: There is a time zone change between Vegas and St. George where you lose an hour.
NOTE #2: There are a limited number of flights into and out of St. George, Utah.
Post Tour Logistics: The Utah Mountains tour ends in St. George, Utah on Day 7. We coordinates a 12:30pm Saturday return shuttle from Zion National Park back to the St. George Shuttle base and/or meeting hotel in St. George, Utah (1.15 hour). Cyclists wishing to continue onto Las Vegas (1.5 hrs from St. George) on Day 7 should make their own shuttle reservation with St. George Shuttle. A 2:30pm or later shuttle reservation from the St. George Shuttle base to Vegas is recommended.

NOTE #1: When shuttling to Vegas there is a time zone change where you gain an hour! So if one depart St. George at 3pm, one arrives at 3:30pm Vegas time. As a result, same day return flight reservations can be made at 5pm or later.
NOTE #2: If cyclists wish to stay an extra day in Zion, we suggest they stay another night (Saturday) and take one of the regular shuttles between Zion and St. George on Sunday.

Is it too Hot in Utah in the Summer?
Utah is hardly the flat desert many believe it to be, it has mountains and our Boulder, Bryce, & Zion tour rides along at elevations from 6,500-feet up to 10,000-feet. With every 1,000-feet of elevation the temperature is 4 to 5 degrees cooler. So the heat is moderated (like it is in Colorado) due to Utah’s significant elevation. For example Moab sits at 4,500-feet and is usually 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the Boulder, Bryce, Zion region.Additionally in July and August this region of Utah receives afternoon rainfall on almost a daily basis. One would not expect this in a “desert”, but Utah topography creates cloud cover that is great for bike riding because it cools the atmosphere. And finally on warm weeks, we depart early in the morning to ride when it is still cool.

Meals:
We provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.
Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and occasionally guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being “off the grid”, most of our off-road tours feature guide prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called “Guide TV”.
Lunches: Our guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.
Dinners: On our road tours. We sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert… yum!
Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element