Frequently Asked Questions
Client Testimonials
Grand Canyon Weather
Important Documents and Forms
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What's included in the price?
Transportation* to and from the trailhead via gateway city/town (usually Flagstaff,
AZ), entrance fees into the park, backcountry permits, sleeping bags, sleeping pads,
backpacks, tents, trekking poles, all cookware, utensils, First Aid (except meds)
medically certified guides, all meals starting with lunch day 1 through lunch on
the last day, snacks, energy drinks, and of course endless memories. *Except our
trips to Mexico and Yosemite back to top
Q: What is the minimum number of people required for a trip to go?
We need two or more guests for a hiking trip to go and four or more quests to make
any kayaking trip a go.
Q: Do you allow singles on your trips?
Yes. Singles are more than welcome to join an existing trip. Four Season’s
does have a single supplement fee that ranges from $45-$350 depending upon the trip.
Q: What age range do you recommend?
Most of our trips are appropriate for ages 14-65, however every trip varies, so
please contact us for more information.
Q: How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
We recommend 6+ months for our overnight hikes, however we welcome last minute inquires.
Reservations require a 50% deposit, which can be done by check, money order or credit
card. Any trip booked within 30 days of departure requires full payment. back to top
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
To guarantee your reservation we require a 50% deposit that can be done by Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, check, money order or wire transfer. We collect the
remaining balance 30 days prior to the trip departing. All deposits are nonrefundable.
If you wish to reschedule your trip to another date there will be a $200 rescheduling
fee per person and you have 12 months from the date of cancellation to come back
for another trip. Cancellations made within 15 days of the trip departing will receive
NO refunds or credit. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart
early from the trip. You may not reschedule more than once and all cancellations
must be done in writing. For this reason, we highly recommend you
purchase trip insurance. Four Season Guides does reserve the right to cancel a trip
or change itinerary for any reason. But we would never do that without a good reason.
Q: Do you recommend purchasing Trip Insurance?
Absolutely! These days a lot of unforeseeable events can arise such
as: canceled flights; natural disasters; terrorist attacks; sickness or emergency
medical expenses; and lost baggage. Here is a link to a Travel Protection Service
that Four Season’s likes to work with www.travelproservices.com . Please feel free to email us with questions.
Q: Do you ever cancel trips due to weather?
Trips go rain, snow or shine. However, we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary
due to weather and other conditions beyond our control...We only do this with your
safety in mind. back to top
Q: What can I expect the weather to be like on my hike in the Southwest?
Be aware that the weather in and around the canyons can change at anytime. The elevation
in the Southwest can range from 2000 ft to over 9000 ft, so one can expect all four
seasons. One must be prepared for warm and cold in the spring and fall.
Below is a chart for average
temperatures (on the canyon floor & on the rim of the Grand Canyon), as well
as average precipitation for the year. You will also find weather links to all our trip destinations.
Temperatures in the middle of the summer can be HOT! They have been known
to exceed 118F (48C) at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in late July. In the
winter we can have freezing temperatures at night with the occasional snowstorm.
Please call or email us
if you have any questions.
Q: Do I need my own equipment?
No, the price of the trip includes all necessary equipment (backpack, sleeping bag,
sleeping pad, tent and trekking poles). However, if you have your own equipment
you are more than welcome to use it. If it does not meet our requirements
we will ask you to use our gear.
Q: What do I need to bring on the trip?
Here are several documents that will explain everything that you will need for your
trip. Click
Here
Q: What kind footwear do I need?
This can vary depending upon the adventure. In the Grand Canyon we like to
see everyone in a well broken-in boot with ankle support. This also goes for
all of our trips in Canyonlands and Grand Gulch. In Escalante we like boots,
but we also like shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Most of the
hikes involve numerous creek/river crossings throughout the day. We recommend
“canyoneering” shoes, sandals and/or an old pair of running shoes. Please
call us if you have more questions. No matter what trip you are on, everyone should
bring a pair of sandals (not flip flops) because they come in handy for relaxing
around camp and hanging out in the creeks. A good pair of sandals is mandatory
for all Havasu Falls trips. On our kayaking trips a pair of sandals or neoprene
booties work best. back to top
Q: How much weight will I have to carry?
An average pack on a 3-4 day “backpacking” trip weighs a total
of 30 - 35 lbs (13.50 –16.0kg.). You can add 5-10 pounds (2.25-4.50 kg.)
for winter hikes and trips lasting 5 to 6 days. Weight for trips lasting more
than six days can vary (please inquire) but it is usually around 50lb (23kg).
For trips to Havasu Falls pack horses carry most of the gear in and out of the
campground, so your pack will weigh about 10-12lbs (5kg). Packhorses
are included in the price of all Havasu trips.
Q: Do any of your trips offer horse or helicopter
transportation?
Yes, our Havasu Falls hike offers both horse and helicopter transportation.
Please refer to
Havasu Falls. Helicopter and horseback rides cost $125
per person each way. One must have riding experience to travel by horse.
The guides do not ride with you in and/or out when you travel by helicopter or horse.
Q: Do I need to bring my own water bottles?
Yes! Please have the capabilities to carry 3 liters of water. The best way to do
this is to have a 2 liter hydration bladder and a 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene bottle
for sports drinks.
Q: Do I need to bring my own snacks?
NO. We have a wide range of snacks to choose form, but if there are items
that you really want, please feel free to bring it. Also, if you have an unusual
dietary restriction you may consider bring some of your own snacks. back to top
Q: Do you cater to dietary restrictions?
Yes, please let us know well in advance. However, we will
not cater to the "Atkins" diet or similar diets. One needs as many
carbohydrates as possible to hike in any environment, but especially in the Southwest!!
Our meals range from Pasta Salad to Chicken Almond Salad, from Breakfast Burritos
to Cereal, from Tai Peanut Tempeh Wraps to Beef Stroganoff.
Q: Do you provide pillows?
No. You can bring your own, but we don’t recommend full size pillows.
A small pillow like the airlines use is sufficient. Also, we will be providing
you with a stuff sack for your personal clothing. Any extra clothing left
in the stuff sack will make for a good pillow.
Q: How often do you clean the sleeping bags?
We wash our sleeping bags after every use.
Q: Do cell phones work where we are going?
Nope! Turn them off and enjoy your time in the wilderness. We carry Globalstar Satellite
Phones on almost all of our trips, so if there is problem, we can communicate with
the outside world.
Q: Can I be contacted in case of an emergency?
Please tell friends and family members to call (928) 525-1552. Depending upon
the trip it can take between 2 and 24 hours for us to get a message to you.
If the people trying to contact you call between 9am-3pm it will help speed things
along.
Q: Will there be electricity on the trip?
With the exception of the trips that stay in lodges, there is no electricity available
on the trip.
Q: Are there shower facilities?
No. You are more than welcome to rinse off in the creeks, but most of the
time you cannot even use biodegradable soap. You can use biodegradable soap
in the Colorado River, but the water is 48-54F (8-12C). Please remember, the
desert is a fragile ecosystem. back to top
Q: What are the bathrooms like in the Backcountry?
Most of the bathrooms are composting toilets or Port-a-Johns, but some of the extremely
remote camps have no services. In that case we deposit solid human waste in
“catholes” dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp,
and trails. Cover and disguise the “cathole” when finished. We
NEVER burn toilet paper.
Q: What about feminine hygiene products?
Please bring feminine hygiene products in a plastic zip lock bag. Bring extra
bags for disposal of used products. All of our guides are professional and
have been guiding trips for years and know how important privacy is, so don’t
hesitate to ask any questions, they will respect your needs. No need to let
minor details get in the way of a great vacation.
Q: Do I have to have backpacking experience?
No. But one should be in good physical shape. We do not offer any adventures
for those people that are inactive or do not want to take the time to prepare.
Everyone will need to do some form of training to get the most out of their experience.
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Q: Should one train for these hikes?
YES!! The more prepared you are the more fun you have and the more you will
get out of the trip. You have a lot invested in this vacation; make the most
of it. Please refer to our training sheets Training Information For All Backpacking Trips
,
Training Information For All Non Backpacking Trips .
If you do not train properly for your hike, you most likely will not make it to
the first camp. Evacuations can cost upwards of $5,000. You should be confident
in your physical ability to complete the hike. You are responsible for choosing
the trip that suits your level of fitness and health.
Q: How big is the group?
Our average group size is 4 guests to 1 guide. Some of our trips can
have as many as 15 guests, but we provide 1 guide for every 6 guests on our overnight
hikes, so the service does not suffer. For private trips we can handle groups
as large as 35. This can be good for family reunions, corporate retreats,
church groups and other organizations like the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts.
Please call or email for details.
Q: How do you rate these hikes?
Each hike is rated by mileage, elevation gain/loss, terrain, water availability,
duration of the trip, and how much weight one will be required to carry. Everyone
has different hiking capabilities and experience. And every hike has difficult days
and easier days. Expect heat and the desert climate to play a role in the
difficulty of each hike. This is the general description of what we base the ratings
on.
Easy – A flat walk, less than five miles. Usually day hikes
or some days on particular base camping trips. We do not offer any easy overnight
hikes.
Moderate – Four to six miles each day with the elevation
gain and loss between 1500-2500 ft., (457-762 meters) one might carry 10-15lbs.
(4.55-6.82 kilos)
Strenuous- More than six miles each day, potential of carrying
30-35lbs (13.64-15.91kilos), may encounter rocky and/or steep terrain, elevation
gain/loss between 3000-5000ft. (915 1524 meters)
Very Strenuous-Little or no water availability at some camps (requires
caching water), packs weigh a minimum of 40lbs possibly reaching 55lbs, usually
a minimum of 5 days in the backcountry, total trip may equal 40-60 miles (64.4-96.6
km), difficult terrain, remote camps, , un-maintained trails, boulder scrambling
and possible exposure
Extreme- For the experienced desert hiker; may include the use
or ropes for technical climbing and/or repelling. Definite Exposure!! back to top
Q: Are there bugs and such that can bite me?
Scorpions and Rattle Snakes are native to the Southwest, however we rarely see them
on our hikes. Do to the arid climate we do not have a mosquito problem on our trips
in Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Mexico. We do have biting flies in Escalante during
the month of July, that's why we run very selective trips during that time frame
and all of our trips Yosemite will see mosquitoes.
Q: Meeting time and place?
This can vary. Please check the information we send you or call us if you have any
questions. For trips going to Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls, Grand Gulch and Escalante
trip usually start in Flagstaff. You should plan on meeting us for orientation at
our retail store by 4pm the day before the trip to get fitted for packs, fill out
paperwork, review the menu and for answers to any last minute questions. Canyonland
trips usually meet the day of at La Quinta Hotel in Moab, but can start in Flagstaff.
Yosemite trips will meet at a designated place within the Park. Most trips depart
between 5:00-7:00am Please contact us if this does not work.
Q: Is there a place to park my car and store my luggage while
I’m on the trip?
For all trips based out of Flagstaff, you are more than welcome to park your car
at our store and keep any valuables in the back. For trips based out of other
locations please talk to your hotel. If you encounter any problems, please
call us (928) 525-1552. back to top
Q: When do we get back?
Most of our trips are back by 4PM on the last day, but some get back as late as
7PM. Please feel free to ask at the time of booking. We always recommend
that you do not try and fly out on this day.
Q: What about tipping the guide?
It is never expected, but always appreciated. The typical gratuity on a trip
is 10-15% of the price of the trip.
Q: Do you offer customized trips?
Yes, call or email us with your request.
Q: Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for large groups. Please contact us for details. back
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Client Testimonials:
Just wanted to drop you a short note. Ruth and I just got back from
our Havasu Falls trip and once again. Dave was great. His knowledge of the canyon,
sense of humor, and genuine enjoyment for what he does really make for a wonderful
experience. As you said to me before, all of your guides are great, as we had the
opportunity to meet Bob, Brian, Ryanne, Scott and Omar. I very much look forward
to enjoying another vacation with four seasons guides.
Ben N.
Just a little note to let know you that we had a fantastic time at Havasupai. Bob
has been a wonderful guide for us and very knowledgeable, he and Michael were the
perfect team, very complementary and they both worked hard to make our trip very
enjoyable. The views were spectacular, and every day was a different adventure,
we can't tell you how much we enjoyed it. We are so fortunate to have such a marvelous
site to explore, in our "backyard". We definitely want to try a different hike in
the Grand Canyon, maybe next year.
Marie H.
I just wanted to say that Brian Siebert did a fabulous job guiding us across the
Grand Canyon. He had the right combination of tact, expertise and cooking experience
to produce a great hike.
Bob C.
I am guessing that you hear this a lot, but my husband and I had a wonderful trip.
All our companions were great fun and congenial companions...and our guide was truly
professional and warm-hearted. We will always savor these memories.
Katherine B.
First of all, I wanted to let you know what an extraordinary experience Anne and
I both had doing the S. Kaibab loop last weekend. It was truly unforgettable, and
both Michael and Omar were really terrific: knowledgeable, fun, thoughtful and very
aware of the needs of the group... Without going into detail, I will say it was
a much better experience than the last time I went on a guided outdoor adventure.
I am truly grateful.
Melanie W.
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Grand Canyon Weather:
Click
here for current Grand Canyon weather forecast
Click here for current Canyonlands weather forecast
Click here for current Escalante, UT weather forecast
|
South Rim
|
|
North Rim
|
|
The Bottom
|
|
Month
|
Hi
|
Lo
|
Precip
|
Hi
|
Lo
|
Precip
|
Hi
|
Lo
|
Precip
|
|
January
|
41
|
18
|
1.32
|
37
|
16
|
3.17
|
56
|
36
|
.68
|
|
February
|
45
|
21
|
1.55
|
39
|
18
|
3.22
|
62
|
42
|
.75
|
|
March
|
51
|
25
|
1.38
|
44
|
21
|
2.63
|
71
|
48
|
.79
|
|
April
|
60
|
32
|
.93
|
53
|
29
|
1.73
|
82
|
56
|
.47
|
|
May
|
70
|
39
|
.66
|
62
|
34
|
1.17
|
92
|
63
|
.36
|
|
June
|
84
|
54
|
1.81
|
77
|
46
|
1.93
|
106
|
78
|
.84
|
|
July
|
84
|
54
|
1.81
|
77
|
46
|
1.93
|
115
|
78
|
.84
|
|
August
|
82
|
53
|
2.25
|
75
|
45
|
2.85
|
108
|
75
|
1.4
|
|
September
|
76
|
47
|
1.56
|
69
|
39
|
1.99
|
97
|
69
|
.97
|
|
October
|
65
|
36
|
1.1
|
59
|
31
|
1.38
|
84
|
58
|
.65
|
|
November
|
52
|
27
|
.94
|
46
|
24
|
1.48
|
68
|
46
|
.43
|
|
December
|
43
|
20
|
1.62
|
40
|
20
|
2.83
|
57
|
37
|
.87
|
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