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You are one of our valued guests at Dreamland Safari Tours. Thanks for being along for the adventure.
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Welcome back to red-rock country! The prime-time fall hiking season has begun once again, and we’re all hoppin’ busy here at Dreamland. Both long-range planners and last-minute adventurers are flocking to the little town of Kanab and all the big sights that surround us, and now’s the time to book your own adventures before all the tours are taken - like during the week of October 9, where we don’t have a single day left on which we could accept new tours!
We have a great line-up for you this season, with brand-new tour routes and old favorites taking center stage in people’s travel plans, and there are quite a few exciting local events and long-range plans in the works as well—some based in tradition and some that the movers and shakers of Dreamland are building as we speak.
Read on to find out more about what we’re up to this time…
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As the seasons change, so do the local wildlife patterns, and now that summer has eased off the throttle and let the cooler fall temperatures take over, the mighty mule deer migrations have begun once again. As of 2022, Utah hosts just over 300,000 deer statewide, five thousand of which are concentrated on the Paunsaugunt Plateau near Bryce Canyon National Park, and with deer migration patterns that extend up to 70 miles, the entire area is notorious for deer sightings (and more dangerous encounters) during the spring and fall months. Similarly, the staggering 10,200 mule deer that are concentrated on the picturesque Kaibab Plateau (the densest population in Arizona) make this area particularly challenging to drive safely during the peak seasons. The bottom line: Drivers and deer can be hazardous to each other’s health, so if you’re out here enjoying the fantastic fall weather, be super-careful when traveling on any highways or National Forest roads throughout the region—especially during the pre-dawn and twilight hours, which are prime-time for mule deer activity.
The deer aren’t the only ones crowding the trails as the weather cools down…
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From September 16th through the 24th, intrepid runners from all over the world converged on Utah and Arizona to attempt the famous “Grand to Grand Ultra,” a 275-kilometer foot race that stretches from the Grand Staircase to the Grand Canyon and covers some of the more challenging backcountry terrain you’ll find. Conquering even part of this route is a major accomplishment, and those who are tough enough to complete the entire trek have bragging rights for life. The runners’ path took them right through some of our favorite tour locations, including the enchanting Peekaboo Slot Canyon, and each year Kanab enjoys welcoming all the folks who have traveled so far to take part in this adventure.
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If the Grand-to-Grand sounds like a little too much excitement, but you’d still like to spend a day exploring some first-rate red-rock trails that will lead you to hidden treasures and spectacular views, then our brand-new Mansard Trail tour may be just the adventure you’re looking for. This trail is a local favorite just east of Kanab, and it has a lot to offer for folks who have 4-5 hours to spare and won’t mind a moderately strenuous traverse. Active hikers willing to commit to the hands-on scramble at the top will be well-rewarded by a close-up view of ancient Native American petroglyphs, and although Mansard can certainly be conquered as a DIY hike, our naturalist interpretive guides will provide you with both peace of mind and a fascinating overview of the area’s geology and history. Curious? Check out the full details of this newest Dreamland hike here and snag yourself a spot!
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Desert guides of any persuasion are often deeply invested in knowing the politics that govern the lands they love, as well as taking up the mantle of educating the general public about environmental protection and conservation. In the interests of promoting this community involvement in a more official capacity, the Dreamland owners have played an instrumental role in building the Grand Staircase Regional Guide Association (GSRGA). Formed in 2021 and achieving non-profit status in the fall of that year, the organization was created to provide a unified voice for all guides in the Grand Staircase region, advocating and protecting the interests of recreation and permit holders. As Vice Chair for the GSRGA, Dreamland co-owner Paul Gagner has been a leading voice in working to unite the guide community and to ensure that those same guides whose expertise makes them masters of the trails also have a seat at the table when key decisions are being made. By working closely with the Bureau of Land Management (which is currently in the midst of re-writing the management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument), the GSRGA has come into being in the nick of time to play a key role in helping to improve the policies that will dictate land usage in the area for years to come.
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As you can see, members of the Dream(land) Team have been working hard on the front lines and behind the scenes to provide new opportunities for guests and guides alike, and with such an emphasis on protecting and appreciating the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, you may be wondering how you can help. If you’re in the general area, or even if you’re just passing through, a great way to get involved is to work with the Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners, who have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities up for grabs.
Come do your part and be a Land Trail Ambassador!
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