Zion 47-Miler Backpack
July 13, 2019 - July 18, 2019
8:00am - 10:00pm
Zion National Park
Zion allows you to follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers once walked the land. With massive red sandstone cliffs that soar into a brilliant blue sky, you can expect unforgettable views from every direction you look. Our backpacking trip will take place across Zion national Park. We will enter the backcountry via the La Verkin Creek Trail and make our way into the Kolob Canyons. After stopping by the Kolob Arch, which is arguably one of the longest spanning freestanding arches in the world measuring at 287.4 feet (87.6 meters). Geology becomes art in Zion with its soothing sounds of life-giving water, sculpts some of the most colorful canyon walls in Southwestern Utah. On this adventure we will travel about 47 miles through Zion in a span of 5 days and spend our extra two days camping in Zion. Enjoying vivid views of the meadows, plateaus, sheer cliffs and Zion canyons, starting at the La Verkin Creek Trail and ending our journey at the East Entrance Trailhead.
Trip Cost
SRWC Member: $180
Faculty, Staff, Non Enrolled CSUSB Student, and Alumni Association: $210
Affiliate: $225
Sponsored Guest: $360
Pre-Trip Meeting / Sign-Up Deadline
July 10, 2019 @ 6pm
Activity Level
4 - Epic
Trip Departs From
CSUSB Student Recreation and Wellness Center
Itinerary
Day 1: Let’s get ready for our 6-day adventure! On Saturday morning, we will meet at the SRWC at 800am on the dot, check our gear twice and depart to Zion National Park. We will drive approximately 380 miles with stops along the way for gas, lunch, and a few snacks. The drive will take about 7 hours including stops and no traffic along the way. After arriving to camp, we will set up camp, prepare our equipment for our 5-day backpacking trip cook dinner and enjoy s’mores before sleeping under the stars.
Day 2: Rise and shine it is an early morning at 700am for a hearty breakfast. We will depart by 900am to arrive at Lee Pass Trailhead by 800am. We will begin our 47 miles on La Verkin Trail, enjoying lunch along the trail and searching for our campground near the La Verkin Creek. After settling in to our camp near the creek. After settling in at camp we will take a side hike stopping at the famous Kolob Arch. After our tour on the trails we will cook camp and spend our first night in the backcountry under the clear Zion skies.
Day 3: Let’s plan for some rest, Rise and Shine everyone we will get an early start at 600 am for a quick breakfast and some snacks. This will be a long uphill day to Hop Valley. We will enjoy the gorgeous views of Zion’s meadows to the plateau; following the connector trail and the Wildcat Canyon Trail. Although this will be a long steep day, the early start will allow for some breaks along the way. On the trail we will enjoy some gorgeous views, snacks and a lunch. Once we arrive at camp we will set up tents and have dinner before resting our eyes under the stars for the night.
Day 4: We are officially on our third day of the 47 mile hike. We will be up and ready to go by 700 am today for our relaxed day hiking and finishing the Wildcat Canyon Trail and heading down the West Rim Trail for the amazing views of the dramatic canyons! We will use this day to relax hiking our shortest miles yet. Along the trail we will enjoy lunch and upon arriving to camp we will settle in prepare dinner and relax the rest of the evening.
Day 5: Good morning day four in the backcountry! We are almost out with rising at 600 am for breakfast and packing up for a few more miles. We will take the rest of the West Rim Trail leading us into the Zion Canyon passing the famous Angels Landing Trail. If you are up for it take a stop there but keep in mind you still have a few miles to go. We will cross the road the shuttle takes and continue our backpacking adventure on the East Rim Trail where we will hike up to the East Plataea setting up camp and enjoying our last night in the backcountry.
Day 6: Let’s wrap up our adventure, rise early take in the last breath of the backcountry and reflect at the distance we just traveled. As we hike out to the East entrance we will say our goodbyes to the backcountry Zion. Upon arrival we will say hello to our van which has magically appeared at the end of our backpacking journey. Here we will load up the van and drive to Springdale for a shower and celebratory meal before we begin our drive back to CSUSB. We will arrive on campus by 10:00 pm.
Weather
Food
Hygiene and Comfort
We will be carrying our all our food, shelter, clothing, water and equipment in a pack weighting up to 40lbs. We will be staying in reserved campsites. The campsites are within close proximity to vault toilets and there are NO showers. We will treat water from a nearby spring or bring enough water from CSUSB. You will have the option to share a tent with one or two people or sleep out under the cover of the stars. Light weight tents, warm synthetic sleeping bags, foam pads and ground tarps will be provided to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. The ground consists of soft and hard soil.
Risk / Hazards / Safety
Cancelation Policy
How to Register