Discover The Great Outdoors

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…”  ― John Muir

We live in a time of innumerable distractions: text messages, emails, status updates, TV, pop-up ads, Tweets, Likes, shared content, etc. More and more, we look around and see people with their heads down, eyes fixed on the screen of a computer, smartphone, or tablet, lost in an electronic world and mostly removed from the tangible world around us. We stress over commitments, obligations, deadlines, responsibilities. Rarely do we find (or make) time to escape it all and offer ourselves a break from the constant stimulation. Although, there is great value in such an escape and some quality time spent in the outdoors can be just the trick to ground yourself, recharge your mind and soul, and relieve pent-up stress and anxiety.

Find Your Trip

This is why we endeavor to explore the wondrous wilderness around us, and to share it with as many people as we can. There is an amazing freedom offered by leaving behind the hustle and bustle of our modern lives for a few days (or longer) and walking off into the undeveloped natural world.

On a multi-day backpacking trip, you travel under your own power, on your own two feet, with everything you need (and nothing you don’t) on your back. Life becomes extremely simplified: eat, walk, rest, eat, walk, rest. As you settle into your surroundings and this new, simplified routine, your mind will begin to let go of the distractions of the ‘real’ world, stress diminishes, and your mind gets the opportunity to stretch its legs as well. With all the normal distractions removed, your senses become heightened: colors are more vivid, smells are more tantalizing, sounds (or the lack there of) are more profound, and tastes…oh my…everything tastes delicious!

You start to pay more attention to little things, such as the warmth of the rising sun on your skin, the sound of the morning’s first bird song, the crunch of the soil and stone beneath your hiking shoes. The wide-open spaces and distant views of dramatic landscapes can inspire a sense of awe and wonder unrivaled in our everyday lives. It can invoke a renewed feeling of discovery and an excitement and zest for life, too often drowned out by the fast-paced, hectic day-to-day.

To experience this can be wholly rejuvenating for the mind, body, and soul and it has a way of reminding us of what is truly important and valuable in our lives.

The value of wilderness cannot be overstated. The more people that have the opportunity to enjoy an outstanding wilderness experience, the better chance we have of continuing to protect the remaining wild places that exist. As our day-to-day lives continue to separate us from the natural world, it only becomes more important that these places be protected, appreciated, and acknowledged for their inherent value as a place of escape and good old-fashioned freedom. So go on, get out there, and get lost. You just might find yourself.

Backpacking Vacations (A Sampling)

Rim To Rim Grand Canyon – 4 Days of Moderately Strenuous backpacking allowing you to explore both the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is one of our more popular hikes.

Dates: Mid May to Early November

Days: 4 Days

Canyons of The Ancients: Archaeology Trip – 4 to 5 days of exploring the Canyons of Grand Gulch in Southeastern Utah. We will explore a number of cliff dwellings and rock art left behind by the ancient Anasazi and Fremont Indians from thousands of years ago.

Dates: April-June and Sept-Nov

Days: 4-5 Days

Paria Canyon – Explore one of the longest, deepest slot canyons in the world as it cuts through 195 million year old Navajo Sandstone. Paria Canyon is one of the most unique destinations in the southwest.

Dates: April-June Sept-Oct.

Days: 5 Days

Yosemite Half Dome – This unforgettable loop hike will allow you to experience the most talked about scenery in all of Yosemite Park and is a must for your travel adventure plans.

Dates: June to September

Days: 3 Days

About Four Season Guides:

Four Season Guides is a privately owned boutique outfitter located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Providing guided backpacking and hiking trips since 1999, Four Season Guides has become the leading adventure tour guide for trips into Yosemite, Southern Utah, Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls.