Join Telluride Academy for an unforgettable journey through the sandstone canyons, ancient ruins, and rugged beauty of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park! Grand Gulchers is a 5-day, 4-night backpacking expedition designed for adventurous 12 to 15-year-olds ready to challenge themselves, connect with nature, and explore the rich ancient Puebloan history of the desert Southwest.
Our adventure begins April 6th, Monday morning in Telluride, where we’ll kick things off with introductions, icebreakers, gear checks, and meal planning. After prepping our gear and grocery list, we’ll travel to Cortez, Colorado, to purchase and pack food, enjoy lunch, and then head west towards Comb Ridge, where we’ll camp under the stars. The first evening will focus on learning essential backcountry skills—setting up tents, cooking with camp stoves, purifying water, and preparing for the adventure ahead.
On Tuesday, we’ll check in at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station before descending into the heart of the canyons. Our first full day on the trail features a descent into Kane Gulch, exploration of the Junction Ruins, and camping near the intersection of Todie Canyon.
Wednesday will be our biggest hiking day as we travel deeper into Grand Gulch, stopping to explore multiple ancestral Puebloan sites along the way. We’ll camp on the slickrock above the intersection of Sheiks Canyon, refill our water at a desert spring, and visit the incredible Sheiks Ruins, pictographs, and the mysterious “Green Mask” site.
On Thursday, we’ll continue east through Bullet Canyon, where highlights include the stunning Jailhouse Ruins and the iconic Perfect Kiva. We’ll camp near the canyon exit and reflect on our journey under a blanket of desert stars.
Friday morning brings our final push and ascent out of Bullet Canyon. After a hearty celebratory lunch and plenty of high-fives, we’ll roll back into Telluride with dusty smiles, new friendships, stronger legs, and a deeper connection and appreciation to the ancestral lands we explored.
Schedule:
9:00 am Monday, April 6th – 4:45 pm Friday, April 10th, 2026
