This is our ever-changing tour calendar. You'll notice we guide all over the western United States. This year we've ordered trips by place with links to the tour's sponsor for more information and to sign up. Which of us is guiding the mentioned tour is in parentheses. In some cases we are the second guide and will join the tour if participation rises over 8 people or so. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about a particular trip.
HIKING UTAH’S PARKLANDS
Hiking Utah's Parklands, now in its third year, is a fully fledged, smooth-running, trip for active hikers. The tour's focus is to genuinely experience the backcountry of six select National Parks and Monuments while relaxing at night in the best hotels with the finest food. The tour achieves this by hiking/walking six to ten miles every day and keeping driving miles to a minimum while avoiding tourist laden pullouts and overlooks. So if you want to see the backcountry of these desert parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument), get a little exercise, and avoid most of the crowds this is the trip for you.
2020 Departures
May 2 - 10 (Kurt)
October 4-12 (Kurt)
SEASONS OF YOSEMITE
What can one say about Yosemite National Park other than you have to see it to believe it. Between it's fascinating geology, incredible vertical landscapes, waterfalls of all sizes and shapes and Yosemite's seemingly endless vistas, there is a surprise around every corner. This year's itinerary still includes a brief side trip to Sequoia National Park at least until Yosemite re-opens Mariposa Grove after much needed restoration. This season we have one departure that Kurt is leading. May is the very best time for waterfalls and wildflowers.
2020 Departures
September 20-25 (Kurt)
HIKING OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Olympic National Park contains some of the most diverse environments anywhere. This tour explores the only true temperate rainforest in the lower forty-eight states, mixed beach and rock seashores, montane spruce-fir forests, and alpine ridges overlooking the Pacific Ocean on one side and glacier topped mountains on the other. Honestly, this is hands down Kurt’s favorite trip in the Off The Beaten Path Catalog. The trip entails hiking four to ten miles a day, except for travel days to and from Seattle, while keeping driving time to a bare minimum. Staying at oceanside Kalaloch Lodge and inland lakeside Crescent Lake Lodge means we only have to pack up twice and can concentrate on experiencing Olympic National Park. Late June is the ideal time wildflowers and bird diversity, while early September is best for possibly seeing Elk and other large wildlife. People rarely think of Olympic National Park when contemplating a vacation, let us show you why Olympic should be at the top of your list. This is an active trip focused on hiking so bring your adventurous spirit.
2020 DEPARTURES
June 21-26 (Kurt)
September 13-18 (Kurt & Eve)
Joshua Tree and Death Valley
Here’s a wonderful introduction to desert ecologies and how diverse they can be. First there’s Joshua Tree National Park with it’s distinctive tree-like yuccas that give the park it’s name. We explore areas of teddy bear cholla and other cacti punctuated by picturesque granite outcrops. Second there’s Death Valley with sand dunes, salt flats and well adapted wildlife - some of it found nowhere else in the world. With place names like Badwater Basin you’re just asking for adventure. If we’re extremely lucky we’ll encounter a rare desert tortoise during in the Mojave Desert between the two. Put on your explorers cap, the one with the wide brim for desert sun, and lets adventure together into the many environs making up these southwest deserts.
2020 Departures
March 2-7 (Kurt)
November 9-14 (Kurt & Eve)
