Overview
15 days. 3 houses. From the red rock of southern Utah through Lake Powell to the canyons of Moab. Hiking, ATV, water sports, off-roading, and as much adventure as you want.
✅ We're covering
- All 3 houses (lodging Sep 29 to Oct 13)
💳 On you
- Getting to and from the trip
- Your own vehicle. Our 4Runner is full with our family + grandmother, so no extra seats. Plan on driving yourself.
- Cooking 1–2 dinners for the group during the trip
- Groceries for your meals + your household's day-to-day food
- Any activities you want to do (ATV, boat, rafting, slot canyon tours)
- Fuel and vehicle expenses
- National park entry passes
The 3 Houses
🏠 Leg 1 — Hurricane, UT · Zion area
Zion and Sand Hollow Escape · Sep 29 to Oct 4 (5 nights) · Sleeps 30
Private hot tub, heated pool + lazy river at clubhouse · Near Sand Hollow, Zion, Bryce
| Room | Beds | Sleeps | Claimed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master 1 (main) | 1 King + 1 Twin Futon | 3 | Stephanie & Cuatro |
| Master 2 (upstairs) | 1 King + 2 Twins | 4 | Eilts |
| Master 3 (upstairs) | 1 King + 2 Twins | 4 | |
| Bedroom 5 | 1 Queen + 1 Twin Futon | 3 | Cinco |
| Bedroom 6 | 1 Queen + 2 Twins | 4 | Cochrums |
| Bunk Room | 4 Doubles + 2 Twins | 10 | Strack Girls |
| Living Room | 1 Double Sofa | 2 |
🏠 Leg 2 — Kanab, UT · Lake Powell + Antelope Canyon area
Spectacular Home with Private Pool and Spa and Million Dollar Views · Oct 4 to Oct 8 (4 nights) · Sleeps 20
Private heated pool + spa · Near Coral Pink Sand Dunes; 1 hr to Lake Powell + Antelope Canyon
| Room | Beds | Sleeps | Claimed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 1 | 1 King + 1 Double Sofa | 4 | Strack Girls |
| Bedroom 2 | 1 King | 2 | Stephanie & Cuatro |
| Bedroom 3 | 1 King | 2 | Cinco |
| Bedroom 4 | 1 King | 2 | Eilts |
| Bedroom 5 | 1 King | 2 | Cochrum |
| Living Room | 3 Double Sofas | 6 |
Plus 3 rollaways available on request.
🏠 Leg 3 — Moab, UT · Arches + Canyonlands area
Beautiful home w/ covered decks & grills · Oct 8 to Oct 13 (5 nights) · Sleeps 33
Spanish Valley · Parking for 6 vehicles · Near Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point
| Room | Beds | Sleeps | Claimed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 1 | 2 Queens | 4 | Eilts |
| Bedroom 2 | 1 Queen | 2 | Stacey/Mer |
| Bedroom 3 | 1 King | 2 | Stephanie & Cuatro |
| Bedroom 4 | 1 Queen | 2 | |
| Bedroom 5 | 3 Twins + 1 Queen | 5 | Cinco/Brady |
| Bedroom 6 (Big Bunk) | 10 Twins + 2 Doubles | 14 | Strack & Charbula Girls |
| Basement | 2 Double Sofas | 4 |
How to claim a room
- Pick a room from each house you're attending.
- Let Steph know which rooms you want.
- If you're doing the whole trip, claim a room in all 3 houses.
- If you're joining part of the trip, claim only those legs.
- First come, first served.
Itinerary Preview
Leg 1 — Hurricane (Sep 29 to Oct 4)
- Sep 29 Tue — Drive in, settle, hot tub
- Sep 30 Wed — Zion (Observation Point + Emerald Pools options) · Park pass, free shuttle
- Oct 1 Thu — Zion Narrows bottom-up hike · Park pass + dry-gear rental (~$30/pp)
- Oct 2 Fri — Sand Hollow ATV + reservoir · $20/vehicle · ATV by invite
- Oct 3 Sat — Bryce Canyon (Fairyland or Navajo/Queens) · Park pass
Leg 2 — Kanab (Oct 4 to Oct 8)
- Oct 4 Sun — Drive to Kanab + Coral Pink ATV PM · $20/vehicle · ATV by invite
- Oct 5 Mon — Lake Powell day (Wahweap or Antelope Point) · Boat rental by invite
- Oct 6 Tue — Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend · Tour by invite, $10/vehicle parking
- Oct 7 Wed — Flex day (Best Friends, second Powell day, or rest)
Leg 3 — Moab (Oct 8 to Oct 13)
- Oct 8 Thu — Drive to Moab via Hwy 12 + Capitol Reef · Park pass
- Oct 9 Fri — Moab off-road + Arches sunset · Park pass, off-road by invite
- Oct 10 Sat — Colorado River raft + Dead Horse Point · $20/vehicle, raft by invite
- Oct 11 Sun — Canyonlands Needles (Chesler Park or shorter) · Park pass
- Oct 12 Mon — Monument Valley · $8/pp Navajo entry
- Oct 13 Tue — Arches morning + drive to SLC · Fiery Furnace permit if hiking
At a glance
- 15 days, 3 home bases
- Daylight: ~7:15 AM to 6:55 PM at start, shrinks to ~7:30 AM to 6:25 PM by end
- Weather: 70–85°F days, 45–60°F nights. Moab is the coolest base.
- Time zone: All locations on Mountain Time. Page, AZ on MST year-round but in October lines up with Utah on MDT (no time change).
Leg 1 — Hurricane, UT
House: Escape 2 Zion · Check-in: Sep 29 after 4 PM · Check-out: Oct 4 before 10 AM
Local hubs
- Hurricane (15 min): Walmart, Lin's Market, gas
- St. George (25 min): Costco, full grocery
- Springdale (30 min): Zion gateway, gear rentals
Best restaurants
- Pig's Ear American Bistro (5 min walk from house)
- Stout Burgers + Beers (Hurricane)
- Bit & Spur (Springdale, for Zion days)
- Riggatti's Wood Fired Pizza (St. George)
Pack for this leg
- Hiking boots + water shoes (Narrows)
- Swimsuits (Sand Hollow + clubhouse pool)
- Layers, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses
- 2L water per person per hike day
Sep 29 (Tue) — Arrival day
Travel day. Settle. Hot tub. Group dinner.
- Steph + family arrive (driving from TX)
- Other invitees aim for check-in 4 PM+
- First group dinner at house
Sep 30 (Wed) — Zion
- 6:30 AM depart house (30 min to Springdale)
- 7:00 AM park at visitor center, take shuttle
- Hike all morning
- 12:30 PM lunch in Springdale (Bit & Spur, Oscar's Cafe, MeMe's)
- 2:00 PM afternoon hike or scenic drive
- 6:00 PM back to house
Hike options
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observation Point via East Mesa | 6.5 mi RT | Moderate | 4–5 hrs | Views down at Angels Landing, no exposure |
| Emerald Pools (lower + middle + upper) | 3 mi RT | Easy–moderate | 2–3 hrs | Waterfalls, shaded |
| Riverside Walk | 2 mi RT | Easy paved | 1 hr | Flat, follows river to Narrows trailhead |
| Watchman Trail | 3.3 mi RT | Easy–moderate | 2 hrs | At visitor center, no shuttle needed |
| Canyon Overlook | 1 mi RT | Easy | 45 min | Big views, often skipped |
Tips: Park at visitor center, shuttle every 7–15 min, no cars in canyon. 2L water minimum. Cell service patchy — set meet-up times.
Oct 1 (Thu) — Zion Narrows
- 6:30 AM depart house
- 7:30 AM rent dry gear at Zion Outfitter
- 8:00 AM shuttle to Temple of Sinawava
- 8:30 AM start hike up the Virgin River
- Hike as far as you want (most go 3–5 mi in)
- 2–3 PM back to Springdale, return gear, lunch
- 5 PM back to house
Wall Street section (4–5 mi in) is the iconic stretch. Slippery rocks, current, water ~55°F. Dry pants + dry boots mandatory (~$30/pp Zion Outfitter).
Oct 2 (Fri) — Sand Hollow ATV + Reservoir
- 9:00 AM drive to Sand Hollow (15 min)
- 9:30 AM pick up ATV rentals
- All morning Sand Mountain trails
- Noon picnic lunch at reservoir
- Afternoon swim, SUP, kayak
- 5 PM back to house
ATV: Side-by-sides, 4–6 person capacity. Sand Hollow OHV Rentals or ATV Adventure Tours. $20/vehicle state park entry.
Water sports: Reservoir ~70°F. SUP, kayak, paddleboard on-site. Swim beach with shade.
Group splits naturally — some ATV all day, some swim all day. Same state park.
Oct 3 (Sat) — Bryce Canyon
- 6:00 AM depart (1.5 hr drive)
- 7:30 AM Sunrise Point first
- Hike all morning
- 12:30 PM lunch (Bryce Lodge or packed)
- Afternoon scenic drive to Rainbow Point
- 4:30 PM Sunset Point
- 7:30 PM back to house
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairyland Loop | 8 mi RT | Moderate–strenuous | 4–5 hrs | Less crowded, full immersion |
| Navajo / Queens combo | 3 mi RT | Easy–moderate | 2 hrs | Classic Bryce, kid-friendly |
| Rim Trail | 1 mi RT | Easy flat | 30 min | Pure view hike |
Tips: Bryce sits at 8,000–9,000 ft. Cool mornings, layers. Best light early/late.
Oct 4 (Sun) — Transition to Kanab
- 8 AM breakfast, pack
- 10 AM check out Hurricane house
- 11 AM arrive Kanab house (drop bags, check-in usually 4 PM)
- Noon lunch (Wild Thyme Cafe or Sego)
- 1:30 PM drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes (30 min)
- 2–6 PM ATV on pink dunes
- Dinner at house
Coral Pink: Kanab ATV Rentals or Coral Pink ATV Rentals. $20/vehicle entry. Bring goggles or sunglasses, sand blows. Smaller, chiller than Sand Hollow.
Leg 2 — Kanab, UT
House: Spectacular Home with Private Pool · Check-in: Oct 4 at 4 PM · Check-out: Oct 8 before 10 AM
Local hubs
- Kanab: Honey's Marketplace, Glazier's, gas
- Page, AZ (1 hr): Walmart, gas, restaurants
Best restaurants in Kanab
- Sego Restaurant (best in town, reservations for dinner)
- Wild Thyme Cafe (lunch/dinner, casual)
- Vermillion 45 (fine dining)
- Houston's Trail's End (Western breakfast)
Pack additions
- Swimsuit (heated private pool + Powell)
- Water shoes for boat day
- Light jacket (wind on water)
Top off gas in Kanab before Lake Powell driving days.
Oct 5 (Mon) — Lake Powell · Cuatro's 47th Birthday
- 8 AM depart Kanab (1 hr to Page)
- 9 AM arrive marina
- 10 AM on the water
- All day swim, SUP, kayak, jet ski, run to Antelope Canyon (by water) or Rainbow Bridge (full day)
- 5 PM return boat
- 7 PM back to Kanab
Boat rental: Wahweap (lakepowell.com) — larger fleet. Antelope Point (antelopepointlakepowell.com) — newer fleet, less crowded. Powerboat or pontoon $800–1,500/day. SUPs/kayaks add-on $30–50 each. Jet skis ~$500/day each.
Water + weather: Water 68–72°F. Air 75–85°F. Pack swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, jacket, water shoes, cooler.
Tips: Arrive 30–45 min before boat checkout. Designated driver mandatory. Cell service patchy on water.
Tonight's cook: Strack Family — Cuatro's 47th BDAY Celebration! Steak and potatoes.
Oct 6 (Tue) — Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend
- 9 AM depart Kanab (1 hr to Page)
- 11 AM Antelope Canyon tour (60–90 min)
- 1:30 PM lunch in Page (Big John's Texas BBQ, Birdhouse, Slackers)
- 3 PM drive to Horseshoe Bend
- 3:30 PM walk to overlook (3/4 mi each way)
- 4:30–5:30 PM sunset (sun sets ~6:25 PM)
- 7:30 PM back to Kanab
Antelope Canyon — Upper: more famous, has light beams (best at noon). Operators: Antelope Canyon Tours by Roger Ekis, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours.
Antelope Canyon — Lower: less crowded, requires ladders. Operators: Ken's Tours, Dixie Ellis.
Navajo-guided only. ~$50–90/pp. Book direct.
Oct 7 (Wed) — Flex day
Pick your own. Group splits if needed.
- Option 1: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary — 5 min from Kanab, free guided tour (bestfriends.org), 2–3 hrs
- Option 2: Second Lake Powell day — jet skis or paddleboards (cheaper than full boat), or Lone Rock Beach
- Option 3: Hiking near Kanab — Toadstool Hoodoos (1.5 mi RT, easy), Buckskin Gulch (slot canyon, advanced, all-day), Peek-A-Boo / Red Canyon slot (requires 4WD)
- Option 4: Rest day at house — pool, hot tub, prep food
- Option 5: Bryce if you missed it — 1.5 hr drive, doable
Oct 8 (Thu) — Transition to Moab via Capitol Reef
- 7 AM breakfast, pack
- 9 AM check out Kanab house
- 10 AM drive Hwy 12 north (gas + snacks in Escalante)
- Noon arrive Capitol Reef, drive scenic loop
- 12:30 PM Hickman Bridge hike (2 mi RT, easy)
- 2 PM lunch at visitor center or packed
- 3 PM continue on Hwy 24 east to I-70, south to Moab
- 6 PM arrive Moab, check in
- 7:30 PM dinner at house or in town
~6 hours driving + stops = full day. Last good gas at Escalante before Capitol Reef. Hwy 12 between Escalante and Boulder is the famous scenic stretch.
Leg 3 — Moab, UT
House: Beautiful home in Spanish Valley · Check-in: Oct 8 at 4 PM · Check-out: Oct 13 before 10 AM
Local hubs
- Moab (10–15 min): City Market, Moab Brewery, gas
- Spanish Valley (5 min): small market, gas
Best restaurants in Moab
- Moab Brewery (classic, big group friendly)
- Desert Bistro (upscale)
- Sweet Cravings (breakfast)
- Quesadilla Mobilla (food truck lunch)
- Pasta Jay's (Italian)
- Antica Forma (best pizza)
Pack additions
- Warm layers — Moab nights drop to 45–55°F
- Beanie + gloves for early Arches mornings
- Closed-toe shoes for off-road days
Gas: Top off before Oct 11 Needles trip — no gas at Needles.
Oct 9 (Fri) — Moab off-road + Arches sunset
- 9:30 AM depart for off-road tour
- 10 AM start tour (4–5 hrs)
- 3 PM back to house, rest
- 5 PM drive to Arches (15–20 min)
- 5:30 PM Delicate Arch hike
- 6:30 PM sunset at the arch
- 8:30 PM back to house, late dinner
Off-road options: Hell's Revenge (3–4 hrs, slickrock, iconic), Fins & Things (3 hrs, slickrock + sand), Top of the World (full day, big cliff at end). Operators: High Point Hummer, Moab Tour Co, Coyote Land Tours.
Delicate Arch hike: 3 mi RT, 480 ft elevation, moderate. Final 200 ft is narrow ledge with drop. Stay on trail. Pack headlamps for descent.
Oct 10 (Sat) — Colorado River + Dead Horse Point
- 9:30 AM meet outfitter at Moab put-in
- 10 AM raft trip (Fisher Towers, half-day, Class II–III)
- 2 PM lunch in Moab
- 4 PM drive to Dead Horse Point (30 min)
- 5 PM rim walks + sunset
- 7 PM back to house
Raft: Fisher Towers half-day is standard — 5 mi of Class II–III, scenic. Operators: Mild to Wild, Western River, NAVTEC, Adrift Adventures. Water 55°F, raft trips give you splash gear.
Dead Horse Point: $20/vehicle. Paved viewpoints, kid + grandma friendly. Best Moab sunset view.
Oct 11 (Sun) — Canyonlands Needles
- 8 AM depart (1.5 hr drive)
- 9:30 AM arrive Squaw Flat
- Hike all morning
- 1 PM packed lunch
- 2 PM afternoon hike or scenic drive
- 5 PM back to Moab
- 7 PM dinner at house
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesler Park / Joint Trail loop | 11 mi RT | Strenuous | 6–7 hrs | Iconic Needles, slot canyon section |
| Pothole Point | 0.6 mi RT | Easy | 30 min | Kid friendly |
| Slickrock Trail | 2.4 mi RT | Easy–moderate | 1.5 hrs | Big views, no exposure |
| Cave Spring loop | 0.6 mi RT | Easy | 45 min | Cowboy camp, ladders, fun |
Tips: No gas at Needles, top off in Moab. Cell service limited — download maps offline. 3L water per hiker for Chesler.
Alt: Skip Needles, do Island in the Sky (30 min drive). Easier, less time.
Oct 12 (Mon) — Monument Valley
- 7:00 AM breakfast at house
- 7:30 AM depart Moab (~2.5–3 hr drive south via Hwy 191 through Bluff and Mexican Hat)
- 10:00 AM arrive Monument Valley Tribal Park, pay $8/pp entry at gate
- 10:30 AM split into two groups:
- Self-drive group: 17-mile Valley Drive dirt loop, walk around The View Hotel viewpoint, browse Navajo artisan stands
- Backcountry tour group: Navajo-guided tour (book your own)
- 1:00 PM lunch at The View Hotel restaurant or Goulding's Lodge
- 2:00 PM more exploring or head back
- 3:00 PM depart for Moab
- 6:00 PM back to Moab, dinner at house
Backcountry tour operators (book your own): Phillips Photography Tours, Sacred Monument Tours, Dineh Tours, Goulding's Tours, Simpson's Trailhandler.
Notes: $8/pp entry, cash preferred. Valley Drive loop is rough dirt road. 4WD not required but high-clearance helps. Avoid in rain. Backcountry tours $80–150/pp half-day. Book at least a week ahead. The View Hotel restaurant has the best mesa view in the country. Bring cash for entry, vendors, tips for guides.
Oct 13 (Tue) — Arches AM + departure
- 6:30 AM breakfast, pack
- 8 AM check out
- 8:30 AM drive to Arches (15 min)
- 9 AM hike (pick below)
- Noon back to Moab, lunch
- 1 PM depart for SLC (4 hr)
- 5 PM arrive SLC
- Evening flights out
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Arch out-and-back | 1.6 mi RT | Easy | 1 hr | Largest natural arch in the world |
| Park Avenue | 2 mi RT | Easy | 1 hr | Walk through "canyon" of fins |
| The Windows | 1 mi RT | Easy | 45 min | Big arches, quick stops |
| Fiery Furnace (ranger-led or permit) | 2 mi | Moderate scrambling | 3 hrs | Maze of fins, $16/pp permit |
| Devils Garden full Primitive Loop | 7.2 mi RT | Strenuous exposed | 4–5 hrs | Narrow fins with drops. Skip if exposure concerns. |
Drive to SLC: ~4 hrs via I-70 to I-15. Gas in Moab. Lunch en route: Green River (Ray's Tavern), Salina, or Provo.
Master Packing Checklist
Gear
- Hiking boots (broken in)
- Closed-toe water shoes
- Sandals for camp
- 2L water bottle or hydration pack
- Day pack (15–20L)
- Headlamp + batteries
- Trekking poles (optional)
Clothing
- Hiking pants/shorts (2–3 pairs)
- Quick-dry shirts (3–4)
- Long sleeve sun layer
- Warm jacket (Moab nights)
- Beanie + gloves
- Swimsuit (2)
- Towel
- Sleepwear
Personal
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ (desert sun is brutal)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Wide-brim or ball cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- After-sun lotion or aloe
- Personal meds
Tech
- Phone + charger
- Battery pack
- Offline maps for Needles
Misc
- Trail snacks
- Cooler for boat day
- Cash for state park gates (cards usually work)
- Reusable water bottle
Meals + Cooking Rotation
Each household takes 1–2 dinners during the trip and cooks for the group at the house. You pick which nights work for you and pull the groceries for your meal.
Breakfast and lunch are on your own — pack what you need or grab something on the way.
We'll lock in the dinner rotation about a week out once we know who's coming on which legs. The houses all have full kitchens with grills, so anything from a simple pasta night to a full Texas brisket setup works.
| Night | Date | House | Household | Menu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 29 | Hurricane | ||
| 2 | Sep 30 | Hurricane | ||
| 3 | Oct 1 | Hurricane | ||
| 4 | Oct 2 | Hurricane | ||
| 5 | Oct 3 | Hurricane | ||
| 6 | Oct 4 | Kanab | ||
| 7 | Oct 5 | Kanab | Strack Family | Cuatro's 47th BDAY — Steak & potatoes |
| 8 | Oct 6 | Kanab | ||
| 9 | Oct 7 | Kanab | ||
| 10 | Oct 8 | Moab | ||
| 11 | Oct 9 | Moab | ||
| 12 | Oct 10 | Moab | ||
| 13 | Oct 11 | Moab | ||
| 14 | Oct 12 | Moab |
Excursions to Book Ahead
These require individual bookings — each person or household handles their own. All are low-risk: cheap, per-person, or fully refundable close to the date.
| Activity | Cost / pp | Cancel window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Verde tickets | $8 | Up to day-of | Cliff Palace + Balcony House. recreation.gov — opens 14 days ahead. |
| Antelope Canyon tour | $50–90 | 24–48 hr (most operators) | Ken's Tours (Lower), Dixie Ellis (Lower), Roger Ekis (Upper). Book early — sells out. |
| Colorado River raft | $80–130 | Varies by operator | Fisher Towers half-day. Mild to Wild, Western River, NAVTEC. |
Optional activities (book your own)
Hurricane area
- Sand Hollow ATV: Sand Hollow OHV Rentals, ATV Adventure Tours
- Water sports: SUP and kayak rentals at Sand Hollow Reservoir
- Angels Landing permit: recreation.gov — $6 fee, lottery; apply 2–3 months ahead
- Zion Narrows dry gear: Zion Outfitter in Springdale
Kanab area
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes ATV: Kanab ATV Rentals, Coral Pink ATV Rentals
- Lake Powell boat: Wahweap Marina, Antelope Point Marina
- Antelope Canyon tour: Ken's Tours, Dixie Ellis, Roger Ekis
- Best Friends: bestfriends.org/sanctuary
Moab area
- Off-road tours / rentals: High Point Hummer, Moab Tour Co, Coyote Land Tours
- Colorado River raft (Fisher Towers half-day): Mild to Wild, Western River, NAVTEC
- Monument Valley backcountry tour: Phillips, Sacred Monument, Dineh Tours
- Mesa Verde tickets: recreation.gov — opens 14 days ahead
Getting There
- Commercial flights: Las Vegas (LAS) is closest for Leg 1. Salt Lake City (SLC) works for Leg 3 departure.
- Private aviation: St. George (SGU), Page (PGA), Kanab (KNB), Canyonlands Field (CNY), Grand Junction (GJT).
- Driving from Texas: about 22–24 hours; plan 2–3 driving days.
- Vehicles: bring your own or rent. The group will need multiple vehicles for day trips.
Heading home from Moab
Each household handles their own travel out of Moab Oct 13.
Closest commercial airports
- Grand Junction, CO (GJT) — 1.75 hr north of Moab. Limited flights, mostly via DEN and DFW.
- Durango, CO (DRO) — 2 hr south. Small regional, flights via DEN, DFW, PHX.
- Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) — 7 hr south. Major hub, best flight options.
- Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) — 4 hr north. Major hub but the wrong direction for most of us heading home.
Rental car return points: Moab, Grand Junction, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City.
Our drive home: Steph + family + Mer drive south through Durango, Pagosa Springs, and Santa Fe Oct 13, then continue east Oct 14–15. The 4Runner is full so we can't ferry anyone, but if you're driving back through New Mexico or Texas, our route is friendly territory if you want to overlap on hotel stops.
Driving from Texas (Steph + Rachel)
Steph and Rachel are caravanning from El Campo. Anyone else driving from TX who wants to use the same overnight stops, here's the plan.
Outbound — Sep 26 to Sep 29
| Day | Route | Hours | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26 Sat | El Campo → Waco (quick stop) → Amarillo | 10 hrs | Amarillo, TX |
| Sep 27 Sun | Amarillo → Albuquerque | 4 hrs | Albuquerque, NM |
| Sep 28 Mon | Albuquerque → Flagstaff | 5 hrs | Flagstaff, AZ |
| Sep 29 Tue | Flagstaff → Hurricane | 3.5 hrs | Hurricane house (check-in 4 PM) |
Return — Oct 13 to Oct 15
| Day | Route | Hours | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13 Tue | Arches AM, then Moab → Santa Fe via Durango + Pagosa Springs (scenic) | 8 hrs | Santa Fe, NM |
| Oct 14 Wed | Santa Fe → Wichita Falls | 8–9 hrs | Wichita Falls, TX |
| Oct 15 Thu | Wichita Falls → Waco → El Campo | 5 hrs | Home by mid-afternoon |
Suggested hotels (we'll be at these — match if you want to caravan)
- Amarillo: Drury Inn & Suites Amarillo (free dinner + drinks at check-in)
- Albuquerque: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
- Flagstaff: Drury Inn Flagstaff or Little America Flagstaff
- Santa Fe: Hotel Santa Fe (close to Plaza)
- Wichita Falls: Hilton Garden Inn
Book early — fall weekends in Amarillo and Albuquerque tighten by mid-summer.
Safety + Group Pace
We're going for adventure, not adrenaline. The Southwest has plenty of "hold my beer" hikes with chains, exposure, and real fall risk. We're not doing those.
Every day has options:
- A bigger hike for the strong hikers
- A medium option for most of us
- A shorter, easier option for kids, grandparents, or anyone wanting a slower day
You pick what works for you. No pressure to do every hike.
- Horseshoe Bend (Page)
- Dead Horse Point rim (Moab)
- Top of the World overlook if we go there (Moab)
- Delicate Arch final approach (Arches)
If a hike feels like too much halfway in, turn around. We'll meet you at the truck.
Group cooking + grocery: Each household claims 1–2 dinner nights. Each household buys for the nights you cook. Snacks, breakfasts, lunches = your own.
Communication on trip: Group text thread (Steph creates after commit deadline).
RSVP & Headcount
First come, first served on rooms. Commit by June 15, 2026. Text or email Steph with any changes.
Strack Family
| Name | Leg 1 · Hurricane | Leg 2 · Kanab | Leg 3 · Moab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Strack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cuatro Strack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Harleigh Strack | No | No | No |
| Kayla Strack | No | No | No |
| Cinco Strack | No | No | No |
| Kimber Strack | No | No | No |
Eilts Family
| Name | Leg 1 · Hurricane | Leg 2 · Kanab | Leg 3 · Moab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rachael Eilts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jon Eilts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ella Eilts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quentin Eilts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zoe Eilts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Charbula Family
| Name | Leg 1 · Hurricane | Leg 2 · Kanab | Leg 3 · Moab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stacey Charbula | No | No | Yes |
| Talynn Charbula | No | No | Yes |
| Brynn Charbula | No | No | Yes |