Yes we are the "European Trekking Specialists" but before we head abroad and when we get home we immerse ourselves in the hidden and remote canyons and spires of the Desert Southwest.

The landforms of the remote and quiet country of the Four Corners have a human history and a geologic mystery that are unique on the planet.

Sedona, Bluff and Moab provide the bases from which we explore. Each town has a unique ambiance and history.

Spring is the season to enjoy this wonderful region. Winter snows are still melting and trickling down from the mountains, feeding the ephemeral streams. Wildflowers are everywhere and the cactus are in bloom.

We avail ourselves of local guides on a couple of occasions to more thoroughly explore the ancient native cultures that once inhabited these lands.

ITINERARY

Day 1-3 Sedona, Arizona is an oasis in an increasingly arid land. Fed by moisture from the high peaks above Flagstaff , the Oak Creek Canyon area and its surroundings offer an immense variety of hiking that sees remarkably little activity. The United States Forest Service has gone to immense efforts, in conjunction with the Sedona community, to minimize the human impact on these fragile lands.

The village is perky and fun with a curious blend of mystical crystal and vortex seekers, European travelers and mountain and desert aficionados. Not coincidentally the accommodations and culinary options are excellent.

Day 4-5 Bluff, Utah A memorable plane ride over the mountains of northern Arizona and the Navajolands takes us to the remote and virtually unknown village of Bluff on the banks of the San Juan River . Bluff is adjacent to Cedar Mesa and the Grand Gulch Primitive Area as well as the Canyons of the Ancients all known for the greatest concentrations of Anasazi ruins and the centers of their cultural heritage. We hike in and through remote, fascinating canyons rich in ruins, rock art and wildlife during our stay in Bluff.

We stay in a lovingly restored homestead and dine on superb cuisine in a turn-of-the-century trading post converted into a gourmet restaurant and art gallery.

Day 6-9 Moab ( Castle Valley ), Utah Moab has become the outdoor recreation center of the desert. Justifiably so, as it is situated between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and on the banks of the Colorado River . It has long been an oasis drawing to it Native Americans of many ethnicities and tribes over the centuries, as well as more recent pilgrims looking for the "promised land" and subsequently miners and outdoor enthusiasts. Moab is in contrast to Bluff, where our adventures take us down into the canyon depths. Here our exploration of remote canyons and rock tower jungles begins in the canyon bottoms with massive red and varnish streaked walls rising above us.