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Home » Programs » Outdoor Program » Spring Break Backpacking Trip

Spring Break Backpacking Trip

Saturday, March 10th- Friday, March 16th          $280


This four night backpacking trip will explore the beautiful red-rock country of Grand Staircase/Escalante National monument in southern Utah. After five days on the trail we will spend a day exploring Moab (with the chance for showers) before driving home.This is a great spring break trip you won't want to miss!


What your registration fee inclues:

  • Knowlegeable guides who will lead you on your trip and share their knowledge
  • Wonderful trip mates who will also have knowlege to share
  • Energizing food designed to keep you going on the hikes
  • Plenty of snacks
  • Backpacks, sleeping bags and sleeping pads if needed
  • Water filters, stove, tents etc
  • Transportation to and from Escalante National Monument from CSU 

General Trip Itinerary: (with ideas for nightly themes, these are subject to change and can reflect student's desires)

Saturday March 10: Meet at the Rec Center at 7 AM. Instructors will drive van to Escalante National Monument where we will camp near the trailhead and discuss the upcoming hike.

Sunday March 11: Leave the vans and begin our hike. Night 1 on the trail. Learn about proper camp techniques

Monday March 12: Continue hike. Night 2 on the trail, Stargazing.

Tuesday March 13: Continue hike: night 3 on the trail, basic survival

Wednesday March 14: Continue hike: night 4 on the trail, camp stories

Thursday March 15: Hike out to the van, drive to Moab where will we spend the afternoon and evening. Camp near Moab.

Friday March 16: Drive back to CSU, return no later than 9 PM


Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument was first settled by Anasazi indians, but the first record of a visit to the area by white people occured in 1866, during the black hawk war. The mouth of the Escalante river was explored by John Wesley Powell's second expedition of the Colorado River. In the late 1870's the town of Escalante was established by Mormon settlers. in 1996 President Bill Clinton declared 1.9 million acres the Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument, the largest of all US national monuments. Much of this land is remote and can only be accessed by foot or horseback. (Information from Hiking the Escalante, Rudi Lambrechtse, Wasatch Publishers, 1985)

Public Lands website


Pre- Trip Meeting/ Registration Deadline: Tuesday February 28, 6-8 PM

For more information join us for a free and non-commital informational meeting: January 26 at 4 PM and January 30 at 7 PM in the Outdoor Program Lounge

If you have questions feel free to e-mail Acadia or Donal: campusrec_op@mail.colostate.edu