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For stories and pictures from my many trips since 2007 see my blog, Earthly Musings. For stories about my trips in 2004, 2005, and 2006, see my "Recent Trips" link at the top of this page.

Wayne Ranney's Trips in 2012

Join me on an outdoor adventure in the Southwest and around the world!

February 21 to March 14 - The private jet trips with TCS-Starquest Expeditions are back! After a three-year hiatus due to the economic downturn I have been asked to serve as a lecturer on board the Explorer jet on another trip. This one is called "Experiences of a Lifetime" and you can see the itinerary by clicking on the trip name. It begins in London, England and travels to Pyramids of Giza, gorilla trekking on the slopes of an active volcano in Rwanda, a safari in South Africa, a visit to the island nation of the Maldives, Chiang Mai, Thailand, the hidden kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas, Rajasthan, India, and Wadi Rum in Jordan. Watch the blog, Earthly-Musings, for daily updates and photos. This is sure to be an exciting trip with many posting to my blog along the way. Be sure to watch!

April 9 to 13 - Moab and Canyonlands Day-Hiking Adventure with the Museum of Northern Arizona. This has become an annual trip for me as we explore on foot and back roads the stupendous landscape surrounding Moab, Utah. On the way up from Flagstaff we drive through the Navajo Indian Reservation and will do a 3 mile walk around Mitten Butte in Monument Valley. We overnight 4 nights at the Gonzo Inn in Moab, then explore Canyonlands and Arches national parks, hiking and driving to my favorite places. All hikes 3 miles or less in distance. Breakfast and lunch included. See the Museum Ventures web site for more information.

April 16 to 20 - Exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. On this trip our group will be exploring some nice slot canyons between Page and Escalante. The trip will include a four night stay at the Boulder Mountain Lodge in Boulder Utah and we will be taking our meals at the Hell's Backbone Grill. Explore the Waterpocket Fold and Burr Trail area in Capitol Reef National Park; The Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase; and other short hikes in the area. This is a fantastic trip. See the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures web site here.

April 30 to May 3 - Join me on a Mule-Assisted Backpack into the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch. We'll have one day of instruction on the rim before delivering our backpacks to the mule barn. The next day we'll walk seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail with only a day pack on our backs. After spending two nights in the Phantom area of Grand Canyon, we'll hike out the Bright Angel Trail, again with only a day pack. If you have never backpacked in the Grand Canyon, this is a great way to learn some geology and history. Click on the link here to learn more.

June 10 to 17 - I am offering a shorter Grand Canyon Geology Charter river trip this year that will have members of the Arizona Hydrological Society along to add to the interesting discussions of the canyon's geology. This is a 7-Day trip on the Colorado River and is being offered for those who cannot take the time for my 10-day trip. We will still cover the entire 280 mile length of the Grand Canyon but will focus on the river corridor. There are still a few spots available on this one but it is filling fast. Book now to go down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with a geologist!

August 3 to 5 - NEW THIS YEAR - Geology on the Edge - As the Grand Canyon is too hot in the summer for inner canyon trips, the Grand Canyon Field Institute is offering an intensive rim-based study of the canyon's geology. Lasting three days, we have the opportunity to learn about the canyon's mysterious origin in a classroom setting with photographic slides and hand-outs. After this, we head for the canyon's edge to see what we have just learned. There is no better way to "get over the hump" in your fear of all things geologic that having your own geologist to explain it to you. Some short hikes into the canyon are also possible. See the Field Institute web site here for more details.

September 12 to 21 - 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River - ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT - This is one of my most popular trips! For the last five years I have led this trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, where we see and experience world-class geology, hiking, and scenery. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of the canyon than going down its entire 280-mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for this motorized trip. Another 10-day trip may be offered in 2013 and please contact me if you would like to join it. ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT

September 26 to October 1 - Rim to Rim Backpack in Grand Canyon with Grand Canyon Field Institute. I've been leading this hike for over 30 years now and it is a fantastic way to see the entire breadth of the canyon with a geologist. We'll camp four nights below the rim in the canyon. Participants bring their own food on this hike. You must be in good physical shape for this one but I can usually get people (who are regular walkers) through the canyon in a user-friendly way.Please visit the Grand Canyon Field Institute web site for more information here.

October 15 to 20 - Rim to Rim Backpack in Grand Canyon with the Museum of Northern Arizona. I've been leading this one for over 30 years now and it is a fantastic way to see the entire breadth of the canyon with a geologist. We'll camp four nights below the rim in the canyon and all food is included! (Much of it will be brought down by mule to Phantom Ranch!). You must be in good physical shape for this one but I can usually get people (who are regular walkers) through the canyon in a user-friendly way. The specific dates will not be known until May but we'll go in October when the weather is delightful. If you have ever wanted to hike across the Grand Canyon, this is your trip! See the Museum Ventures web site for more information.

 

Trips Completed in 2011

February 18 to March 12 - (POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2012) The private jet trips with TCS Expeditions are back! After a two-year hiatus due to the economic downturn I have been asked to serve as a lecturer on board the Explorer jet in a trip called "Experiences of a Lifetime." The trip begins in London, England and travels to Pyramids of Giza, gorilla trekking on the slopes of an active volcano in Rwanda, a safari in South Africa, a visit to the island nation of the Maldives, Chiang Mai, Thailand, the hidden kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas, Rajasthan, India, and Wadi Rum in Jordan. Watch the blog, Earthly-Musings, for daily updates and photos. This is sure to be an exciting adventure to watch! (POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2012)

March 19 to 23 - A private geology field trip with former students at Yavapai College to the Mojave National Preserve. Sometimes, students just can't get enough geology and so it goes with some very wonderful people who have requested another "Wayne trip" to the hinterlands of the past. We'll trek and drive around one of the most beloved landscapes of my youth, the northern Mojave Desert.

April 4 to 8 - Moab and Canyonlands Day-Hiking Adventure with the Museum of Northern Arizona. This has become an annual trip for me as we explore on foot and back roads the stupendous landscape surrounding Moab, Utah. On the way up from Flagstaff we drive through the Navajo Indian Reservation and will do a 3 mile walk around Mitten Butte in Monument Valley. We overnight 4 nights at the Gonzo Inn in Moab, then explore Canyonlands and Arches national parks, hiking and driving to my favorite places. All hikes 3 miles or less in distance. Breakfast and lunch included. See the Museum Ventures web site for more information.

April 18 to 22 - A charter trip with long time followers and through the Grand Canyon Field Institute to the Toroweap area of Grand Canyon. This will be a car camping trip with many day hikes to Cove Canyon the Esplanade, Vulcan's Throne, the Uinkaret Mountains, and others. I can arrange just about any trip you or your group would like through the Field Institute or the Museum of Northern Arizona.

April 25 to 29 - Escalante Day-Hiking Trip with the Museum of Northern Arizona. This is a long-time classic that I first ran in the early 1990's. We will stay 4 nights at the lovely Boulder Mountain Lodge in Boulder, Utah. On the grounds is the internationally famous (no kidding) Hell's Backbone Grill where we will take our breakfasts and dinners (at your own cost). During the day we will explore the stunning canyons and slots of the Escalante River, see marvelous Calf Creek Falls, explore a petrified forest and get a view of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. This trip is a winner! See the Museum Ventures web site for more information.

May 9 to 12 - Join me on a Mule-Assisted Backpack into the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch. We'll take one day of instruction on the rim before delivering our backpacks to the Xanterra mule barn. The next day we'll walk seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail with only a day pack on our backs. After spending two nights in the Phantom area of Grand Canyon, we'll hike out the Bright Angel Trail, again with only a day pack. If you have never backpacked in the Grand Canyon, this is a great way to learn some geology and history. Click on the link here to learn more.

August 7 to 13 - New this year! I am offering a shorter Grand Canyon Geology Charter trip with Canyoneers. This will be 7-Day trip on the Colorado River and is being offered for those who cannot take the time for my 10-day trip. We will still cover the entire 280 mile length of the Grand Canyon but will focus on the river corridor. There are still a few spots available on this one but it is filling fast. Book now to go down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with a geologist!

September 11 to 20 - 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River with Canyoneers. (Sorry, this one is SOLD OUT already). For the last four years I have led this very popular trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of this world-class canyon than going down its entire 280 mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for the trip. Another 10-day trip may be offered in 2012 and please contact me if you would like to join me.

Late September - Rim to Rim Backpack in Grand Canyon with the Museum of Northern Arizona. I've been leading this one for almost 30 years now and it is a fantastic way to see the entire breadth of the canyon with a geologist. We'll camp four nights below the rim in the canyon and will have much of out food brought down by mule to Phantom Ranch (ease of hiking). You must be in shape for this one but I can get people who normally walk through this in a user-friendly way. The specific dates will not be known until May but we'll go in later September after the heat has died down. If you have ever wanted to hike across the Grand Canyon, this is your trip! See the Museum Ventures web site for more information.

October 28 to 31 - Join me on a Mule-Assisted Backpack into the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch. We'll take one day of instruction on the rim before delivering our backpacks to the Xanterra mule barn. The next day we'll walk seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail with only a day pack on our backs. After spending two nights in the Phantom area of Grand Canyon, we'll hike out the Bright Angel Trail, again with only a day pack. If you have never backpacked in the Grand Canyon, this is a great way to learn some geology and history. Click on the link here to learn more.

Trips Completed in 2010

February 21 to 26 - "A Tour of Death Valley" with friends who have traveled with me before. We'll explore this geologic wonderland, which contains many surprises.

March 19 to 21 - "Grand Canyon Backpack" with family members from California and Tucson.

April 5 to 9 - Canyonlands and Arches Excursion with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. We will day hike to many fantastic localities around Moab, Utah including Arches National Park, the Colorado River Scenic Byway and Canyonlands National Park. We'll stay overnight in the comfort of The Gonzo Inn and enjoy our dinners at any one of the great restaurants in downtown Moab. See this link for more details.

September 12 to 21 - A 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River with Canyoneers. For the last few years I have led this very popular trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and I am going to do it again in 2010. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of this world-class canyon than going down its entire 280 mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for the trip. As of mid-November, 2009, the trip was SOLD OUT, however there may be cancellations at any time and I will be leading another 10-day trip in 2011. So if this appeals to you, please contact me.

October 18 to 21 - Mule Assisted Backpack to the Colorado River with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. If you are new to backpacking or the Grand Canyon, this is an excellent way to start. I'll teach the basics of backpacking for a full day on the rim and then we will deliver our packs to the mule barn. The next three days we will travel with only our day packs to the bottom of the canyon. Look at this link for more details.

Trips Completed in 2009

January 13 to February 4 - Cape to Cape - A Private Jet Expedition with TCS. This will be a fantastic trip on a 757 aircraft to the western side of Africa (countries visited are Burkina Faso, Namibia, and South Africa), crossing the Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Patagonia, and finishing up in Panama. Here's the link for more details.

March 16 to 21 - Down the Hermit Trail with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. This will be a five-day backpack (with one day of instruction on the rim prior) down one of the most historical trails in Grand Canyon. We will enjoy a lay-over day in Monument Creek and will explore down to the Colorado River. We will camp at Indian Gardens and then hike out the Bright Angel Trail. This trip has been very popular in the past and should be so this year as well. See this link for details.

April 6 to 10 - Canyonlands and Arches Excursion with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. We will day hike to many fantastic localities around Moab, Utah including Arches National Park, the Colorado River Scenic Byway and Canyonlands National Park. We'll stay overnight in the comfort of The Gonzo Inn and enjoy our dinners at any one of the great restaurants in downtown Moab. See this link for more details.

May 25 to 29 - Exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. On this special charter trip, our group will be exploring some nice slot canyons between Page and Escalante. The trip will include a three-day backpack into Coyote Gulch where we will see three natural bridges along the stream. The group is the same as last years adventure down to the Hall's Creek Narrows in Capitol Reef and is being organized by Dr. Richard Weibe, a long time supporter of the Museum. Recently, the mystery of Everett Ruess' disappearance in the southwest was solved. See this link for the story, which has some great video of the discovery of his remains. A great southwestern mystery has been solved!

September 13 to 22 - A 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River with Canyoneers. For the last few years I have led this very popular trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and I am going to do it again in 2009. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of this world-class canyon than going down its entire 280 mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for the trip. As of mid-November, 2008, the trip was SOLD OUT, however there may be cancellations at any time and I will be leading another 10-day trip in 2010. So if this appeals to you, please contact me.

September 30 to October 5 - Rim to Rim Backpack with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. This Rim to Rim backpack is a day longer than my May trip and the food is included! We use the extra day to explore the area around Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River. We have almost 48 hours without our backpacks on. Some of the food is delivered to us by mule. This is the best way to go across the canyon by foot. See the link for more details.

October 9 to 16 - A hike from Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon with a friend who wants to learn more about geology. This is a private trip biut I wanted to list it anyway to let you know what I am up to

October 19 to 22 - Mule Assisted Backpack to the Colorado River with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. If you are new to backpacking or the Grand Canyon, this is an excellent way to start. I'll teach the basics of backpacking for a full day on the rim and then we will deliver our packs to the mule barn. The next three days we will travel with only our day packs to the bottom of the canyon. Look at this link for more details.

October 24 to 30 - A tour of Santa Fe and Taos with friends from back east. Jim and Roz Butler are friends that I met while sailing around a glacier in Greenland in 1990. Every now and then we arrange for a private tour here in the southwest. This will be our latest adventure.

Don't just sit there - come on a trip. It's fun and educational.