Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks

Changes to the itinerary and the choice to add a participant that required a guide to travel into town prior to starting events created a bit of confusion and changes in expectation + wait time on at least one occasion. Both of our guides did all they could to support us and stay positive, which was appreciated!

I have never seen that part of the country and it was absolutely amazing

Angel's landing

The beautiful scenery, the enthusiasm and instructions from your great guides, the dinner at Cordwood restaurant was awesome!

I had just finished two slackpacking trips so was used to a lot more miles/hours of hiking a day. The long van drives were necessary but not totally expected. I was a last-minute sign up so hadn't read the itinerary as well as I could have! But it was a great trip!!!

The highlights were all the wonderful, supportive women. The only thing that would have been better for me would have been to be with more advanced hikers. But for this level, I think it was perfect.

The places we saw were breathtaking! So many highlights. One that brought me to tears is when I stayed back for a couple of hours while the group did a path and I hiked around the immediate area watching the sun come up on the Patriarchs. The colors were magical and the power of the experience was definitely a spiritual moment.

Hiking Angel's Landing, guides were great, fun to stay in the park lodge

The trip was SO well organized. A lot of thought and planning went into this trip and I was constantly impressed with how all the details fell into place. The trip exceeded my expectations! Lisa and Kaitlyn put their hearts and souls into making us all so comfortable. We were never rushed and yet we kept to the schedule meticulously. We always had time to stop and rest and to take lots of pictures. Everything was anticipated and the trip went so smoothly. There are so many examples... At rest stops during our hikes Lisa

Unbelievable beauty of the location!!! Gorgeous landscapes, great hikes, so wonderful!

Hiking in Bryce, was magical

I honestly didn't come with any expectations, but was incredibly excited to be outside checking out new national parks and to be traveling what I assumed would be an incredible group of women. All of that was met and much much more. I feel fortunate to have been able to make the adventure and hope to join more in the future. I will say I think the way that our group jived helps make it such a positive experience but hands-down we had incredible guides. Lisa and Kaitlyn were a joy to have leading us and I'm so thankful for the role they played.

Loved the trail choices except for the first day (highly trafficked choices). The guides were working around weather conditions and lengthy travel time for the four-day trip, both out of their control. Appreciated the descriptions of the history and terrain of the national parks that Lisa shared. Would suggest requesting printed materials at park entrances for hikers who would like to have them.

Everything was great. I wonder if there is a way to stay at Bryce for a night rather than returning to Zion. It was a lot of driving and time pressure to get back to the van in time. However, I am sure the logistics get complicated.

As usual, the trip was very well organized, the food options delicious and accomodations very nice.

Bryce and Zion were amazing. I am so happy I had the opportunity to take this trip.

I found that hiking with a group inspired me to push myself a bit harder than I would when hiking alone:). The guides were so cheerful fun and encouraging, and participant group was so nice too!

I've only vacationed with family or friends -- never with strangers. I was delighted by how much fun we had, and how comfortable I felt with the group. I thought that the trip might feel short, but in fact, I felt like I was gone for much longer. The guides were VERY good. The itinerary

Guides, travelers and beauty!

Loved ALL the hikes, especially the Zion days. Also, it was really special to be able to stay right in Zion.

Angels Landing hike.

The guides were awesome. I can’t think of any negative to say. I love the whole trip

I had no ideas there were acres and acres of hoodoos in Bryce! The trip to Angel’s Landing was just right, thank you Karen Rinker. 🙏

Getting up to Angels Landing.Different hikes we did. The cabin was amazing. Karen and Claire are the best. They compliment each other.

The trails are all with spectacular views. Transportation and lodging are comfortable.

This trip exceeded my expectations! It was a once in a lifetime, amazing adventure. I LOVED the guides, the other women I met and the hiking and areas we went - well, there are no words to explain the beauty and awe of it! The only part I really did not like was the Alexis Resort - I didn't feel extremely safe there. It is run-down and in a seedy area. The caulking was coming off of the windows and some of the lights didn't work. It wasn't the best place to start the trip. I recommend a different hotel like the Best Western by the airport.

This was my first AGC trip. I could not get over the organization and flow of the trip. It was great traveling with women of like minds. We were all interested in hiking and appreciating the sites. There was no concern competition and though there were several levels of skills the guides were encouraging and worked with it. I don't know if the skill level can be vetted better for the benefit of the whole group.

Wish the guides had time to tell us more about the area - history /geology / fauna. On the Olympic Peninsula trip we had time for this.

We had a great group of women, the guides were excellent, the scenery was spectacular and the hiking was the perfect level of challenge. Each day - and therefore, the whole trip - flew by between the amazing and ever changing vistas, the interesting conversations, and the chance to push yourself up that next incline.

Karen and Claire were awesome! They made everything easy. I loved not having to think about anything. Lunches were spectacular. I expected PBJ or lunch meat sandwiches and was surprised by freshly made fixings!

The highlight was Utah - Zion and Bryce - WOW!

The stunning scenery of both Zion and Bryce, including the fall colors, were spectacular. The guides also made the trip and there was general collaboration among the participants.

Zion and Bryce were just stunning and I was in awe! The trails were beautiful and a challenge, but not impossible. I was very pleased choices were given at Angels Landing which is good for the guides as well as the participants. The guides were excellent! Claire and Karen were very good and dealt with the lively group very well. I sincerely enjoyed the group and made some great friends that I will continue to keep. This trip is more than just seeing parks, it is a challenge both physically, cognitively and emotionally. The trip can change ones outlook on self and how they view the world. As John Muir says, "sometimes you have to go out, to go in."

The scenery/hiking was just magnificent. Truly! But sharing it with such a wonderful group of women, including our guides, was also priceless.

It was all so wonderful. I really appreciated Karen and Ann taking the time to hike with me b/c I was slow. The encounter with the Big Horn Sheep was a once in a lifetime. Ask Ann. I enjoyed all the women in the group. I loved that it was women from all over and all ages. And the location was WOW!!! Amazing!

The landscape was the highlight of the trip. I've never been to this area. It's so different from the Midwest. We started out with the hike to observation point and each day the hiking just got better. Angels Landing was such a challenge and I was so excited to reach the top with the group. Speaking of.....we had a great group of women on this trip.

Bryce Canyon was my favorite hike, because it was so different and beautiful, and I felt like the distance and terrain was perfect on that hike.

I really enjoyed the women in my group. Easy going and mature. there was not any big drama. The scenery was way beyond my expectations. Bryce was especially beautifuul

Everything I wanted but much more.

The trip was very organized and activities were as promised. The guides were prepared for all situations. The women participants were all wonderful - very friendly, easy going and pleasant. I usually shy away from traveling with a group so I wasn't sure what to expect on this one. It was a fantastic experience!

Never traveled with women only and it was great. Guides excellent at pacing and accommodating individuals needs and skill levels. Initially thought I would have liked more hikes but realistically it was just right according to my muscles by the end. The lodge, restaurants, and fare guides provided were excellent. The choice of hikes were beautiful.

The other ladies; the hiking; the location

A very good group of people from the guides to the participants! So much fun.

Great hike, gorgeous views, great people and great people and guides and food.

Spectacular landscapes, great lodging and food, and wonderful women to travel with.

Great group of strong, upbeat, intelligent, supportive women.

This was a fabulous trip. Well organised and executed. The hikes were spectacular and the setting perfect!

Honestly, everything was so wonderful. The guides were a Godsend for helping me. I was slow. But they stayed with me and taught me so much about hiking from how to pole uphill to a new way to tie my boots. I really appreciated all the information Karen shared about the geology of the parks, vegetation etc. She was also so great to point out the best places to take photos. All around it was fantastic. And I climbed Angel's Landing!!!

This was another great AGC trip. It definitely met my expectations. Highlights included the extraordinarily unique beauty of the two parks, the challenging hikes, great weather all four days, a fun group, a song fest on the van ride back from the Cordwood Restaurant, being led up Angel’s Landing by Wonder Woman on Halloween and having trouble keeping up on the way down with a 80 year old “mountain goat” from Minnesota. The Alexa Park was adequate (clean and safe), but a bit rundown. More effective screening of first-timers would be helpful.

Everything was great

The beautiful scenery with perfect hiking weather.

A great itinerary

Variety of trails

Everything about the trip was just wonderful. The hiking-spectacular trail picks and nice options for those who wanted to do a little less the last day. The food was amazing! I was so impressed with the nice lunches that the Deb and Karen put together for us to make. Options that met everyone's tastes and so creative to come up with such a spread out of their cabin room. We had a variety of level hikers...marathon runners to a couple that were not as up for the steep difficult trails. I was so impressed with Deb an Karen and their ability to cater to everyone's needs and do so in such an effortless manor. WOW!

Besides, spending time with great friends visiting Zion and Bryce, I loved the hike to Angel's Landing with Karen. It was my trip highlight related to the itinerary. Thank you!