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 endless memories. *Except our
trips to mexico. back to top
Q: What is the minimum number of people required for a hike to go?
We need two or more quests 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?
No you do not. However, we highly recommend picking up a hydration system such as a Camelback
or similar product.
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 in the canyons?
Nope! Turn them off and enjoy your time in the wilderness. We carry Globalstartm 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 say 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 that
are inactive people or do now want to take the time to prepare. Everyone will need to do some
form of training to get the most out of their experience. back to top
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.
These guys want nothing to do with you, just like you want nothing to do with them. Do to the
arid climate we do not have a mosquito problem. We do have biting flies in Escalante during the
month of July, that’s why we run very selective trips during that time frame.
Q: Meeting time and place?
This can vary. Please check the information we send you or call us if you have any questions. 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. Grand Canyon,
Havasu Falls, Grand Gulch and Escalante trip usually start in Flagstaff. Canyonland trips usually meet
the day of at La Quinta Hotel in Moab, but can start in Flagstaff. 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 to top
Client Testimonials:
....to let you know how much Patrick and I enjoyed our hike in the canyon earlier this
week! From start to finish, all aspects of the trip far exceeded my expectations. You guys
are the best! (You can quote me on that!) And Ian was absolutely excellent - whether acting
as Master Chef, Super Knowledgeable Guide or just all around travel Companion!
Thanks again for the experience of a lifetime!
Tom and Patrick ~ December 2004
Dear Brian,
My son Will and I just returned home from spending four days in the Grand Canyon on our commercial photography
trip with your company and backpacking guide Scott Victor. Since we didn’t get a chance
to see you after the trip, I wanted to write you a letter to express my appreciation to you and your
staff for a once in a lifetime trip.
M.L. Bolton, S. Kaibab Loop - 2005
Dear Brian,
Allow me to rave about your company and your guide, Scott Victor. He was perfect: attentive, kind,
quiet, very knowledgeable, efficient and a great cook. I am very inquisitive and he taught me
more in 4 days than I care to admit. We enjoyed his company thoroughly and, now that we know him,
wouldn’t consider visiting the Canyon without him. You are very lucky to have him.
After looking at several guide companies online, I ultimately chose FS Guides, hoping that we’d
get more attention and have better equipment because you’re a smaller company and have a “gear”
store. Well, we were the only clients on the trip and the gear was exceptional. You couldn’t
have impressed us more. I would whole-heartedly recommend your company to anyone that asked. And
you’ll be hearing from us again.
Kenny MacCarthy, Thunder River/Havasu Falls - 2005
Brian was a wonderful guide; easy going, great sense of humor, set a good pace where we all could keep
up, knowledgeable about the canyon and “off-the-beaten-path” trails and most of all a great
cook too! Everything about the trip was top notch!
Cheryl Thompson, S. Kaibab Loop – September 2004
Ian did a first class job and was both informative and attentive. The meal he cooked us at Plateau
Point was truly memorable. It was a fantastic trip - our best ever (which against competition
from Nepal and the French Pyrenees is pretty good going). We’re already planning our next
trip (Rim to Rim?).
Jon and Sarah, S. Kaibab Loop – 2005
Dear Brian-
I’d like to take this opportunity to really compliment you and your efforts. My trip was
educational as well as spiritual. I’ve always considered myself an environmentalist on some
level, but feel so much closer to the cause since my experience.
I want to say that the greatest asset to your company is you on the frontline. Had it not been
for my first conversation with you about your offerings, etc I may have gone thru another company.
I’m so glad to see people like yourself willing to share your passion with others. Your
guides obviously share the same passion. To think I almost took one of those beer guzzling raft
trips.
Beth, Havasu Falls and S. Kaibab Loop – 2003
Brian, JB and I want to thank you again for hiking with us in the Grand Canyon. You were an excellent
leader, very knowledgeable, giving us more information than we could assimilate. You certainly
made us feel pampered with your excellent cooking, as well as looking after our welfare.
Paul, Indian Gardens – 2002
My father and I recently hiked the Grand Canyon and wanted to let you know that is was awesome. Never
having been to the Grand Canyon, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the Canyon or using a Guide Service.
Having reflected upon the experience, the Grand Canyon can obviously stand on its own, and the choice
in a guide service can either hinder or enhance the experience. The decision to use Four Season
for our equipment and guide service was of immeasurable value and greatly enhanced the overall experience.
Everyone was pleasant and helpful prior to the trip and upon arrival in Flagstaff that level of customer
service was only heightened, whether it was answering general questions or helping with the fitting
of equipment. Seeing how other guide services functioned on the trails and in the campgrounds
only helped to illustrate the level of customer service that Four Season strived to attain and the fact
that they often exceeded our expectations should be commended.
Pete, Rim to Rim - 2002
back to top
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
|
back to top
