Geology of the Grand Canyon Field Trip

Please join us on an incredible “trip through time” as HGS once again visits the Grand Canyon.  Click here for an article about the 2009 trip. Again this year, we’ll see plenty of textbook geology as we raft down the exciting white water of the Colorado River, and each day offers hiking side trips providing an opportunity to get closer to the rocks. This trip has plenty to interest both geologists and non-geologists. The hikes do require a reasonable level of physical fitness.

This field trip runs from June 13 through 21, 2010; we start and end in Las Vegas. Estimated cost is $3000 per person. A $300 deposit paid to HGS is required to secure your spot and, as this trip always fills fast, we encourage you to sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Additional details

This trip joins in Las Vegas, Nevada departing the airport about 10 am on chartered bus. We’ll have stops in Zion National Park before arriving in Marble Canyon/Lee’s Ferry for the evening. Alternate arrangements to meet the group at Lee’s Ferry are possible. The next morning 28 lucky participants will board two large, motorized rafts to begin our seven day journey down the river into the Grand Canyon. Our outfitter is Hatch River Expeditions and they will take very good care of us all week. Along with the exciting rapids on the Colorado (hold on tight!), we will have hikes of varying length each day, some require scrambling. Participants should be in good physical condition.

There is a $300 deposit to secure your spot which is non-refundable; that said, you can likely recover  this money provided you get someone to take your spot and we normally have a waiting list of people wanting to go. The balance will be due in the HGS office by January 15, 2010. HGS runs this trip at cost and we still need to determine some of the expenses, but estimate the balance will be $2700 per person. This covers bus ride, motel Sunday evening, all food and drink while on the river, river guides and transportation back to Las Vegas. Not covered is dinner the first Sunday or any special drinks you may want to bring on the trip.  We will advise all participants in December what the final cost will be.