Archaeology Expeditions
Anasazi Cliff Dwellings
Our most exotic hiking expedition.These Anasazi cliff dwellings have long been a secret of the Forest Service. It is certain that there are a few sites as yet untouched somewhere in the canyon walls. While we are sworn to secrecy by the Forest Service and cannot reveal the name of this special canyon, we are permitted to take a very few people in each year. The "crown jewel," as many in the Forest Service call it, is protected from hordes of tourists by secrecy, tight management, a difficult road in and a very difficult hike in and an even more difficult hike out. We are delighted at the opportunity to offer this trip to those of you looking for a true challenge rewarded by the magic of these remote and pristine cliff dwellings set in a completely wild canyon wilderness. We limit access to protect wildlife, remnants of ancient civilizations, and solitude!
"Every trip into this canyon is a religious experience. Physical challenge combined with the thrill of complete solitude delivers you from the rigors of our modern life. The deserted and precariously situated homes of ancient peoples are enchanting, touching, and even frightening. These remote dwellings remind us of just how tough life can be and how incredibly hardy the people who lived here must have been. It's as if the former inhabitants left just months ago. Corn cobs, pottery shards and stone tools still litter the ground.
"The dwellings are not the sole attraction. The canyon itself an amazing example of pristine wilderness with rainbow colored cliffs and massive hoodoos rising from a lush forest. Horned toads are easily spotted at your feet. The only footprints you will find are those of the elk and the mountain lion. It is my favorite place on earth." --Lee Bridgers, Dreamride owner
Single Day and Multi-day Trips
Day trips-- Out and back trips are from either end of the canyon. Each route accesses different ruins. Usually only one ruin can be reached in a single day as an out and back unless you are extremely fit. You can choose to hike the canyon's length in a day by adding an additional guide/driver and shuttle vehicle. All trips include lunch in an ancient house overlooking majestic spires. Day trips from Moab can take 14 to 18 hours. From Blanding trips will take from 10 to 16 hours. It can take one to two hours to get to the trailhead. All hiking trips into this canyon are strenuous and demand rudimentary climbing skills.
This expedition is NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE WHO IS FRIGHTENED BY HEIGHTS. No children under the age of thirteen. Trips to and from the cliff ruins involve vertical exposure and scrambling up steep loose rock and tilted slickrock shelves. There are no trails, though the Forest Service tries annually to mark a single trail in the bottom of the canyon on horseback. It soon disappears however, from lack of visitation. We pray to God that it stays this way.
Weather is always a factor. Roads to the ends of the canyon are impassible when wet and can be reduced to slime while we are in the canyon. This may mean spending a night, and/or taking a scary trip out.
Multi-day trips-- Stay in the canyon for as long as four days and three nights. Spending a single night in the canyon allows much more time to explore multiple archaeological sites. Multi-day trips include more visits to more ruins and artifacts. The trips can include a visit to the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, considered the best collection of Native American pottery anywhere.
You can choose a bike ride supported by accommodations in nearby Blanding, Utah, or with a night or two of camping in this area. We cannot ride into the canyon, but we will lead you to the rim on deserted mountain roads and 4WD tracks, providing 4WD sag wagon support on a very pleasant ride through alpine forest. Once on the rim, we camp, hiking into the canyon on the following morning. Click on DARK CANYON TRIPS for more info.
Commercial photographers are welcome, but you must sign a waiver stating that you will not mention the name of the canyon in any published work. For more pictures of the canyon and ruins click on: Anasazi Ruin 1, Secret Canyon 1, Anasazi Ruin 2, Anasazi Ruin 3, Secret Canyon 2, Anasazi Ruin 4, Inside Ancient Ruin, Anasazi Ruin 5.
RatesDAY TRIPS: $499 each. Minimum of two fares.
Guides, all transportation, and lunches are included.
TWO DAY EXPEDITIONS: $1199 each. THREE DAYS: $1799 each. FOUR DAYS: $2499 each. Minimum of two fares. Maximum group of eight. All guiding, transportation, food, and camping supplies are included.
There are rain checks or refunds minus 35% issued if dates are cancelled due to weather. Cancellation insurance is available through your local travel agent, through AAA or your credit card services or on-line. All basic Dreamride CANCELLATION POLICIES apply.
At special request we can arrange beasts of burden (horses, mules, helicopters) for extended scientific expeditions. Call for information.
Call 1 (888) MOAB UTAH in the states.
If you are calling from foreign shores the number is 435-259-6419.
FAX number is 435-259-8196.
or write to:
DreamrideP.O. Box 1137
Moab, UT 84532
For email contact information click on:
CURRENT DREAMRIDE EMAIL ADDRESS