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Winter Spring 2026 Registration Opens December 8!

Browse trips by month!
  • Canyon de Chelly Overnight - Single Supplement
  • Item: EL050626 - SINGLE
    Tuition: $150.00
    Days: W Th     Dates: 5/6/2026 - 5/7/2026
    Sessions: 2     Times: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 7
    Instructor:

    This is a single room supplemental fee.

    Please select the appropriate dated section for a single supplement to your Canyon de Chelly trip. This single supplement fee is in addition when registering for the Canyon de Chelly Adventure trip. Select this option if you want your own hotel room as a single passenger. 



    Select for Single Supplement ONLY.
 

  • Canyon de Chelly Overnight - Single Supplement
  • Item: EL051326-Single
    Tuition: $150.00
    Days: W Th     Dates: 5/13/2026 - 5/14/2026
    Sessions: 2     Times: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor:

    This is a single room supplemental fee.

    Please select the appropriate dated section for a single supplement to your Canyon de Chelly trip. This single supplement fee is in addition when registering for the Canyon de Chelly Adventure trip. Select this option if you want your own hotel room as a single passenger. 



    Select for Single Supplement ONLY.
 

  • Canyon de Chelly Overnight Adventure
  • Item: EL050626
    Tuition: $780.00
    Days: W Th     Dates: 5/6/2026 - 5/7/2026
    Sessions: 2     Times: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 5
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary

     

    Canyon de Chelly, an amazing other-worldly landscape of 800-foot tall red cliffs, includes spectacular cliff dwellings and mystical rock art from centuries in the past.  The canyon was once home to the ancestral Hopi and today sustains a living community of Navajo (the Dine’) living in spiritual connection with this beautiful landscape.  We’ll tour the canyon’s south rim, viewing its beauty from above, and also take a 4x4 tour into the canyon with Navajo guides who will share their stories with us.  During our journey there and back, we’ll visit Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, and historic Hubbell Trading Post as well as traveling paved back road across Navajo land (Dinetlah).  A fair amount of walkng is included, some optional, but all on easy terrain. 

    Activity Rating: 1-2

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

     

     



    Reserve by April 22
 

  • Canyon de Chelly Overnight Adventure
  • Item: EL051326
    Tuition: $780.00
    Days: W Th     Dates: 5/13/2026 - 5/14/2026
    Sessions: 2     Times: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 2
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary

     

    Canyon de Chelly, an amazing other-worldly landscape of 800-foot tall red cliffs, includes spectacular cliff dwellings and mystical rock art from centuries in the past.  The canyon was once home to the ancestral Hopi and today sustains a living community of Navajo (the Dine’) living in spiritual connection with this beautiful landscape.  We’ll tour the canyon’s south rim, viewing its beauty from above, and also take a 4x4 tour into the canyon with Navajo guides who will share their stories with us.  During our journey there and back, we’ll visit Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, and historic Hubbell Trading Post as well as traveling paved back road across Navajo land (Dinetlah).  A fair amount of walkng is included, some optional, but all on easy terrain. 

    Activity Rating: 1-2

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

     

     



    Reserve by April 29
 

  • Drive to Bottom of Grand Canyon
  • Item: EL041126
    Tuition: $230.00
    Days: Sa     Dates: 4/11/2026 - 4/11/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Room: meet at Building 31     Building: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus       
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann
    This class is full.  Please sign in and click "Add to Waitlist" button below.

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Follow Diamond Creek Road as it winds through Peach Springs Canyon – the only road access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Diamond Creek Road will take us down the canyon to the banks of the Colorado River. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy the views and learn about Hualapai history, cultures, and the geology and the natural history of the canyon. You will enjoy a picnic lunch with an optional walk the last mile to the Colorado River following a narrow canyon that crosses Diamond Creek. Includes driving on a bumpy and winding dirt road to the Colorado River Activity Rating: 1-2. 


     -Tuition includes transportation, Hualapai permits, box lunch and field instruction. Departs at 7:30AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available. 


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy

     



    Reserve by: 03/27/26
 

  • Drive to Bottom of Grand Canyon
  • Item: EL041826
    Tuition: $230.00
    Days: Sa     Dates: 4/18/2026 - 4/18/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Room: meet at Building 31     Building: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus       
    Instructor: Kyle Short
    This class is full.  Please sign in and click "Add to Waitlist" button below.

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Follow Diamond Creek Road as it winds through Peach Springs Canyon – the only road access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Diamond Creek Road will take us down the canyon to the banks of the Colorado River. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy the views and learn about Hualapai history, cultures, and the geology and the natural history of the canyon. You will enjoy a picnic lunch with an optional walk the last mile to the Colorado River following a narrow canyon that crosses Diamond Creek. Includes driving on a bumpy and winding dirt road to the Colorado River Activity Rating: 1-2. 


     -Tuition includes transportation, Hualapai permits, box lunch and field instruction. Departs at 7:30AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available. 


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy

     



    Reserve by: 04/03/2026
 

  • Drive to Bottom of Grand Canyon
  • Item: EL050226
    Tuition: $230.00
    Days: Sa     Dates: 5/2/2026 - 5/2/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Room: meet at Building 31     Building: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus       
    Instructor: Kyle Short
    This class is full.  Please sign in and click "Add to Waitlist" button below.

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Follow Diamond Creek Road as it winds through Peach Springs Canyon – the only road access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Diamond Creek Road will take us down the canyon to the banks of the Colorado River. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy the views and learn about Hualapai history, cultures, and the geology and the natural history of the canyon. You will enjoy a picnic lunch with an optional walk the last mile to the Colorado River following a narrow canyon that crosses Diamond Creek. Includes driving on a bumpy and winding dirt road to the Colorado River Activity Rating: 1-2. 


     -Tuition includes transportation, Hualapai permits, box lunch and field instruction. Departs at 7:30AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available. 


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy

     



    Reserve by: 04/17/26
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Bill Williams Mountain
  • Item: EL061226
    Tuition: $185.00
    Days: F     Dates: 6/12/2026 - 6/12/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download full itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Bill Williams Mountain, visible to the north from most of the Prescott area, is the westernmost 9,000-foot peak in Arizona. The mountain is named for a preacher/guide/mountain man from North Carolina whose story will weave through the day. We will circle the mountain on the Bill Williams Loop Road starting at Devil Dog Lake just off I-40, then drive to the summit fire tower, enjoying distant views across much of northern Arizona. We’ll do some short walks, but no significant hiking, as we talk about the geology and ecology of the mountain. There’s a good chance of seeing Elk and other wildlife along the way. Activity Rating: 2.
     

     Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Reserve by: 05/29/2026
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Crater Lake and Lava Tubes
  • Item: EL060526
    Tuition: $215.00
    Days: F     Dates: 6/5/2026 - 6/5/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 10
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Northwest of Flagstaff is a little-known crater lake, surrounded by meadow and aspen groves, hidden inside a small volcanic cinder cone just east of the Kendricks Mountain Wilderness Area. Our day afield will focus heavily on the volcanic history of the San Francisco Volcano Field surrounding Flagstaff and Williams. We will drive up the access road to the ski area on San Francisco Peaks, hike into Crater Lake for lunch, then in the afternoon visit a lava tube (with optional exploration of the tube) south of Kendrick's Peak. We will also traverse some of old Route 66 on the way home. Total hiking distance for the day about two miles at elevations near 8,000 feet. Activity Rating: 3

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 7AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy

     



    Reserve by: 05/22/2026
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Johnson Canyon
  • Item: EL052026
    Tuition: $185.00
    Days: W     Dates: 5/20/2026 - 5/20/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 5
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Little visited Johnson Canyon begins near Williams and flows along north of I-40 to near Ash Fork.  When the railroad was constructed through the canyon in 1882, two very interesting dams were built, both of which still hold water today.  Stone Dam has beautiful red rock construction, and Bainbridge Dam is made of steel, one of only three steel dams ever built in the entire U.S., and the only one still standing today.  We’ll visit these two remote dams and also Steel Crater, a water-filled sinkhole, and talk about both geology and early railroad history.  The steel dam requires about a mile roundtrip hike over an eroded roadbed. Activity Rating: Level 2. 

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus. 

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Reserve by: 05/06/2026
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Red Mountain and Keyhole Sink
  • Item: EL043026
    Tuition: $200.00
    Days: Th     Dates: 4/30/2026 - 4/30/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Near the northern edge of the great field of volcanos that surrounds Williams and Flagstaff is an otherwise average cinder cone, about 1,000 feet tall, called Red Mountain. What makes this little mountain unique is how erosion has carved a spectacular amphitheater out of the heart of this extinct volcano, creating a magical landscape of cliffs, spires, and little slot canyons. While talking about the history and dynamics of the San Francisco Volcano Field, and the local ecosystems, we will hike into the heart of Red Mountain, enjoying our lunch inside the volcano.  After our main hike, we’ll travel back roads south to Parks, then west on Historic Route 66 to Keyhole Sink, hiking into this unusual feature with petroglyphs and a seasonal waterfall.  Hiking distance is about 4.5 miles, mostly on well-maintained trail; inside Red Mountain there’s some optional off-trail exploring. Activity Rating: Level 3.

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus.

    *Chino valley pickup available.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by 04/16/26
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Sycamore Canyon Headwaters
  • Item: EL052126
    Tuition: $200.00
    Days: Th     Dates: 5/21/2026 - 5/21/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 10
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download full itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

     

    Sycamore Canyon enters the Verde River near Clarkdale but begins in the vast Ponderosa Pine forest southeast of Williams. We will travel across to the canyon’s headwaters area from Drake, just north of Chino Valley, visiting JD Dam, Sycamore Point (with incredible views down the canyon), White Horse Lake, and Sycamore Falls, where the creek drops over a hundred feet into the beginnings of the canyon. Our journey will reach I-40 just east of Williams and we’ll return home. Along the way we’ll talk about the geology of the canyon and the varied ecosystems along the way. The trip will include about a mile of easy hiking.  Activity Rating: 2

     

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch, and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus.

     

    *Chino Valley pickup available.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by 05/07/26
 

  • Explore Coconino County: The Land Between the Canyons
  • Item: EL060326
    Tuition: $200.00
    Days: W     Dates: 6/3/2026 - 6/3/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 8
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

     

    North of Verde Valley is a little-visited plateau, surrounded on three sides by rugged wilderness areas. On the east is West Fork Wilderness and Oak Creek Canyon; on the west is Sycamore Canyon Wilderness; and on the south is Redrock/Secret Canyon Wilderness. We will explore this beautiful, forested landscape, culminating with utterly amazing views of the redrock country of Sedona, seen from above. Along the way we’ll talk about geology, including visiting a baby sinkhole, forest ecology and the logging railroads of the early 20th century. We’ll also talk about the handful of people who have lived out there, including Bear Howard, who literally made his living hunting bear, and the wild Casner Clan, who have multiple local landmarks named after them. Lots of short walks, but no serious hiking. Activity Rating: 2

     

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch, and field instruction. Departs 7AM from Prescott campus.

     

    *Chino Valley pickup available.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by 05/20/26
 

  • Explore Coconino County: Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater and Wupatki
  • Item: EL052726
    Tuition: $215.00
    Days: W     Dates: 5/27/2026 - 5/27/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download full itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Wupatki.
     
     

    The ancient Sinagua culture, ancestral to the Hopi of Second Mesa, left their picturesque ruins scattered across the landscape east of Flagstaff. Their name comes from the earliest Spanish name for San Francisco Peaks, which they called Sierra Sinagua, meaning waterless peaks. We will visit ruin sites at Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument, along with visiting the recent volcano of Sunset Crater, which erupted in 1066 A.D. and played a key role in the history of the Sinagua people. We will also visit a small unexcavated site along the way. Many short walks on mostly paved walkways. Activity Rating: 2.

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch, admission fees, and field instruction. Departs 7AM from Prescott campus.

    *Camp Verde pick up available.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

     

     

     



    Register by: 05/13/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Apple Creek Homesteads and Mine
  • Item: EL060126
    Tuition: $115.00
    Days: M     Dates: 6/1/2026 - 6/1/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 6
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

     Apple Creek (an informal name) is a tributary to the Hassayampa River east of Spruce Mountain and crossed by Senator Highway.  Homesteaders and miners have both left their mark on this little drainage.  During this half-day trip, we’ll hike up the creek (about a mile round trip - fairly easy informal trail) while we visit the old abandoned mine and both homesteads.  There’s a standing cabin at one, and many blackberries and several apple trees. This time of year, we may find the apples in bloom, although ripe blackberries will have to wait for fall. Activity Rating: 2. 

    Tuition includes transportation and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus. 

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

     



    Reserve by: 05/18/2026
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Copper Basin, Skull Valley and Walnut Grove
  • Item: EL042526
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: Sa     Dates: 4/25/2026 - 4/25/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 5
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download full itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    This road trip will take us out Thumb Butte Road, along the crest of the Sierra Prieta Mountains above Prescott, the setting for Gail Garner’s famous cowboy poem, “Tying the Knot in the Devil’s Tail”, then down through Copper Basin to Skull Valley for lunch.  We’ll then head over to Walnut Grove on the Hassayampa River, returning to Prescott via Highway 89. Along the way we’ll see incredible scenery, historic mining activity, the Skull Valley Historic Museum, the historic Hassayampa River Bridge, and the site of the Walnut Grove Dam.This dam failed in 1890, killing over 100 people and causing downstream devastation as far as Wickenburg. There will be a few short walks of up to a quarter mile, but no serious hiking. 

     

    Activity Rating: 2

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch, museum fees and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by: 04/10/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Crown King & the Southern Bradshaws
  • Item: EL040926
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: Th     Dates: 4/9/2026 - 4/9/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 9    Remaining Seats: 2
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance

    In 1904 Frank Murphy, a renowned railroad builder, built a railroad that many believed was impossible.  This railroad ran from Mayer to the silver mines at Crown King over an unimaginably rugged landscape.  This railroad was so amazing that folks today come from all over the world to view its route.  While the railroad has been gone since 1924, its route is closely followed by a gravel road.  We’ll journey to Crown King, visiting old sites along the railroad route, and talking about the history of the area.  We’ll stop at the site of Bradshaw City, once with a population of 5,000, the Crown King Saloon, dating from 1898, the old Middleton town site, and the Cleator Yacht Club (not to be missed).  Lot’s of short easy walks, but a long bumpy road. Activity Rating: 1

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy

     



    Reserve by: 03/25/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Drake, Perkinsville and Jerome
  • Item: EL041526
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: W     Dates: 4/15/2026 - 4/15/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 4
    Instructor: William Ascarza
    Download full itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Perkinsville Depot.
     
    This back road exploration will take you from Drake, just off Highway 89 north of Chino Valley, across to Perkinsville on the Verde River, then down to Woodchute Mountain.  There we encounter the grade of the old narrow gauge railroad that once connected Jerome with the railroad from Ash Fork to Phoenix near Chino Valley, site of the long-gone town of Jerome Junction.  We’ll follow the narrow gauge railbed to Jerome, then return to Prescott over the mountain.  Along the way we’ll talk about geology, natural history, the Verde River, the Perkins Ranch, the old railroad, and the mines of Jerome.  Lots of short walks but no serious hiking. Activity Rating: 2

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8:30AM from Prescott Campus.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.


    Reserve by 04/01/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Hike and Explore the Hassayampa River
  • Item: EL042226
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: W     Dates: 4/22/2026 - 4/22/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 3
    Instructor: William Ascarza
    Download full itinerary.
     
     
    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    The middle section of the Hassayampa River, which drains the west side of the Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott, is a beautiful, interesting, and little-visited area. We will spend a day exploring along the river (generally east of Wilhoit) including several short hikes totalling about three miles. One of the hikes has a short and rugged (and optional) scramble at the end. During the day we’ll explore a canyon narrows (with waterfall), historic hydraulic mining areas, prehistoric settlements along the river, and take a moderate hike (about 2 miles) into “The Bend” of the Hassayampa. Along the way we’ll talk about the archaeology, history, geology and ecology of the area. Activity Rating: 2 to 3.

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.


    Register by: 04/08/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Jerome, Perkinsville, and Drake
  • Item: EL042426
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: F     Dates: 4/24/2026 - 4/24/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM     
    Location: Verde Valley Campus  TBA     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 7
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Itinerary

    This back road exploration will take you from Jerome along the old narrow gauge railroad bed that once led to Chino Valley (formerly known as Jerome Junction), then down to the Verde River at Perkinsville.  From there, we’ll head across to Drake, just off Highway 89 north of Chino Valley.  From Drake we’ll skirt around Prescott and Prescott Valley and back to campus via Mingus Mountain.  Along the way we’ll talk about geology, natural history, the Verde River, the Perkins Ranch, the old railroad, and the mines of Jerome.  Lots of short walks but no serious hiking. Activity Rating: 2. 

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8:00AM from Verde Valley Campus. 

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy



    Reserve by: 04/10/26 This trip departs from the Verde Valley Campus, and does not depart from the Prescott Campus. See the April 15 trip for departure from Prescott Campus.
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Limestone Canyon
  • Item: EL051826
    Tuition: $115.00
    Days: M     Dates: 5/18/2026 - 5/18/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    When Frank Murphy built his railroad from Ash Fork to Phoenix via Prescott in 1892, near Hell Canyon he chose a route through Limestone Canyon; the route had over 4 miles of wood trestle in six miles of track.  An Ohio man, George Puntenney, then established a limestone mine and lime kilns near these tracks.  In 1907 the Limestone Canyon route was abandoned and the line relocated to a steel bridge over Hell Canyon.  Puntenney then opened a new mine and built a cement plant on the south side of Hell Canyon, creating the community of Puntenney.  In this new half-day trip we’ll visit the ruins of the lime kilns, explore some of the old railroad grade, and visit the Puntenney townsite.  Less than a half-mile of hiking, although some a little rocky and steep. Activity Rating: 2. 

    Tuition includes transportation and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus. 

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Reserve by: 05/04/2026
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Little Hell Canyon
  • Item: EL051126
    Tuition: $115.00
    Days: M     Dates: 5/11/2026 - 5/11/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: Chris Wuehrmann

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Little Hell Canyon, north of Chino Valley, is actually Hell Canyon, upstream from the high bridge, where the canyon is much smaller.  There are two interesting early transportation-linked sites in the area:  an old stage station site and stage road from the early 1880s and an airmail contractor directional sign from about 1920.  The latter is a very unusual site.  We’ll visit both of these sites in this new half-day trip, as well as stopping by a second old stage stop, incorporated into a residence near Del Rio Ranch.  About a half-mile of walking over mostly easy terrain. Activity Rating: 2. 

    Tuition includes transportation and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus. 

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by: 04/27/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: The Northern Bradshaws
  • Item: EL052926
    Tuition: $185.00
    Days: F     Dates: 5/29/2026 - 5/29/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 8
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    The Northern Bradshaw Mountains overlooking Prescott are the highest range in Yavapai County, peaking out near 8,000 feet. We’ll explore south through this region on the old Senator Highway as far as the site of the town of Goodwin, then head east to Mayer and return via Highway 69. Along the way we’ll visit old mining and homestead sites on Wolf Creek, explore the ruins of the Senator Mine, enjoy distant views from the Mt. Union Divide, and other historic and natural features. We’ll also pass though the burn area of the Goodwin fire of 2017 and talk about fire management and the role of fire in the natural ecosystem. The trip will include about two miles of moderate hiking. Expect driving on bumpy, winding roads. Activity Rating: 2


     Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8 AM from Prescott Campus.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Reserve by: 05/15/26
 

  • Explore Yavapai County: Williamson Valley and Beyond
  • Item: EL051626
    Tuition: $190.00
    Days: Sa     Dates: 5/16/2026 - 5/16/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 7
    Instructor: William Ascarza
    Download Full Itinerary.

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    This road trip takes Williamson Valley Road all the way to Seligman with a return via Ash Fork and Highway 89. We’ll visit the areas of many early historic sites, including the town sites of Simmons and Walnut Creek. On the return from Ash Fork we’ll stop at the old Little Hell Canyon stage stop and a mysterious and unique signpost from the earliest days of air travel in the county. Along the way we’ll discuss the geology and natural history and many aspects of the human history of the area. There will be a few short walks of up to a quarter mile, but no serious hiking. Activity Rating: 2

    Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by: 05/01/26
 

  • Exploring Coconino County: Mormon Lake Country
  • Item: EL061026
    Tuition: $215.00
    Days: W     Dates: 6/10/2026 - 6/10/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 10
    Instructor: Kyle Short

    The high country east of Verde Valley contains an Arizona rarity, a number of natural lakes, although they do on occasion go dry.  We will visit several of these lakes, Stoneman Lake, Ashurst Lake, and the largest of all, Mormon Lake, while exploring the geology and natural history of the area.  We will also journey to the the historic decommissioned fire tower on Hutch Moutain, at just over 8,500 feet elevation commanding incredible views of the area.  This trip includes about a mile of hiking (on an old road) at over 8,000 feet and some other short walks.  There’s a good chance of seeing Elk and other wildlife. Activity Rating: 2. 

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.

    *Camp Verde pickup available.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by: 05/27/26
 

  • Exploring Yavapai County: Verde Valley Archaeology
  • Item: EL041726
    Tuition: $200.00
    Days: F     Dates: 4/17/2026 - 4/17/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 8:00 AM - 5:00 AM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 7
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks before trip date. 

    Yavapai County’s Verde Valley has hundreds of prehistoric village sites, ancestral to both the Hopi of northeastern Arizona and the O’odham peoples of southern Arizona.  We’ll visit a number of these sites, including Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well (where we’ll enjoy lunch under lush Cottonwood and Sycamore trees) as we learn of the prehistory of these ancestral residents of the valley and the story of why they left this seemingly beautiful environment.  We’ll also visit the Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde.  Up to a mile or so of walking on mainly paved trails.  Activity Rating: 2.

     Tuition includes transportation, box lunch, park entrance fees and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus.

    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.


    Register by: 04/13/26
 

  • Get Your Kicks on Route 66!
  • Item: EL042826
    Tuition: $225.00
    Days: Tu     Dates: 4/28/2026 - 4/28/2026
    Sessions: 1     Times: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM     
    Location: Offsite - Departs Prescott Campus  meet at Building 31     
    Enroll Min: 8    Remaining Seats: 9
    Instructor: William Ascarza

    Download Full Itinerary

    Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

    Spend a day with us as we travel Historic Route 66, “The Mother Road” from Ash Fork to the Colorado River at Topock, at 145 miles the longest single surviving stretch of this road that once conncected Chicago, Illinois, with Santa Monica, California.  We’ll stop at many historic sites, old bridges, roadside attractions, the Historic Route 66 Museum in Kingman (where we’ll have lunch) and the old town of Oatman, where wild burros wander the streets.  Along the way we’ll dicusss the history of transportation across northern Arizona.  Activity Rating: 1.

    Tuition includes transportation, box lunch, admission fees and field instruction. Departs 7AM from Prescott campus.

    *Chino Valley pickup available.


    View Refund/Cancellation Policy.



    Register by: 04/14/26
 

  • Duff Springs - Virtual Trip
  • Item: DuffSprings
    Tuition: $15.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email       
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 99
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    Alexander Duff came to Arizona Territory in 1879, a trapper, prospector, and market hunter, married to a Shoshone Indian woman. He left the territory in 1906 as a respected hotel and mercantile owner, with a whole new family. In between he homesteaded at a beautiful spot on the Verde River, overlooked by a centuries-old cliff dwelling, where a crystal-clear spring bears his name; a locale still miles from any road today. He then became one of the early movers and shakers of Jerome Junction, terminus of the narrow-gauge railroad to the copper mines of Jerome and precursor community to Chino Valley. Join us in on this exploration of Duff’s story and of some of the history and natural features while visiting both these localities, prominent in the early history of Yavapai County, including discussing the prehistoric inhabitants.
    The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     



 

  • Explore Date Creek: Native Peoples and Territorial Forts to Modern Ranchers – Virtual Trip
  • Item: Date Creek
    Tuition: $25.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 98
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    Date Creek flows from the crest of the Weaver Mountains above Yarnell west into a vast desert plain, studded with rugged mountain ridges, finally joining the Santa Maria River above Alamo Lake.  Originally home to the Yavapai People, Date Creek’s first Anglo visitors were led by Charles Genung in 1863, who upon seeing one of the creek’s green valleys declared it to be the Garden of Eden.  Near this spot the military post of Camp Date Creek operated from 1867-1874.  We will explore this little-known landscape, seeing ancient rock art, viewing the ruins of Camp Date Creek, visiting with modern ranchers, and searching for the elusive beaver reintroduced along the creek in recent decades.  We will also observe a little-known historic rock art site from 1864.  Date Creek is so remote that less than fifty people live within a mile of its course. The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     



 

  • Johnson Canyon - Virtual Trip
  • Item: Johnson Cyn
    Tuition: $20.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 100
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    When the Santa Fe Railroad was constructing their line across northern Arizona in the early 1880s, they overcame many physical obstacles in the rugged landscapes they traversed. One of the more difficult was the steep drop westwards off the Coconino Plateau, between Williams and Ash Fork. Their surveyors and engineers chose a somewhat obscure canyon as the optimum route off the plateau, a canyon so rugged that it required the only tunnel from Albuquerque to Los Angeles. We will explore this canyon, visiting many man-made features related to the construction and operation of the railroad, including the now-abandoned Johnson Canyon Tunnel and the only functional dam of steel construction in the United States. Our explorations will also include some strange and interesting natural features, and we will hear the story of rancher and homesteader George Johnson, after whom the canyon is named. The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     



 

  • Northern Bradshaws - Virtual Trip
  • Item: N Bradshaws
    Tuition: $20.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 98
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann
    In 1863, during the height of the Civil War, several parties of intrepid prospectors discovered gold in the flanks of what became known as the Bradshaw Mountains. While the Walker party was most notable, the range was named for one of others, William Bradshaw, who died under mysterious circumstances in La Paz, on the Colorado River, in December of 1864. We’ll explore the northern part of the range, which overlooks Prescott, visiting old mine sites, ghost communities, homesteads, and historic Palace Station, established by the Spence family in 1875. We’ll be traveling mainly via historic Senator Road, talking about the history of the range and about the basics of mining and geology. Since this area has been subject to several large forest fires in recent decades, we’ll also discuss the ecology of fire and some history of forest and fire management. We’ll be exiting the range via Mayer, saving the Southern Bradshaws for another day. The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     



 

  • Prospectors, Miners, and the Impossible Railroad in the Southern Bradshaw Mountains - Virtual Trip
  • Item: Prospectors
    Tuition: $25.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 4    Remaining Seats: 99
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    In 1863, during the height of the Civil War, several parties of intrepid prospectors discovered gold in the flanks of what became known as the Bradshaw Mountains. While the Walker party was most notable, the range was named for one of others, William Bradshaw, who died under mysterious circumstances in La Paz, on the Colorado River, in December of 1864.

    We’ll explore the southern part of the range, prominent in the view from Sunset Point on I-17, visiting quirky desert communities like Cleator (home of the Cleator Bar and Yacht Club) and Bumblebee (what’s in a name?), ghost mining and railroad locales, and the little mountain town of Crown King. We will be traveling in significant part via the route of Frank Murphy’s “Impossible Railroad”, built from Mayer to Crown King in the first years of the 20th Century despite many naysayers who claimed it couldn’t be done.

    Along the way, we will talk about the original Yavapai Indian inhabitants, the challenges of passage via rail, and some of the history of mining in the rugged and forbidding landscape of the Southern Bradshaws. The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     



 

  • The Land Between the Canyons - Virtual Trip
  • Item: Land Between Cyn
    Tuition: $25.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 6/30/2026
    Sessions: 149     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 94
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    Leading southwards into Verde Valley are two spectacular red rock canyons. To the east, well-known and heavily visited Oak Creek Canyon is followed by highway, although the west flanks are wilderness area. To the west, lightly visited Sycamore Canyon is entirely wilderness area. Between the lower ends of these canyons is still more wilderness area, surrounding on three sides is a nearly unknown landscape of utterly amazing views, exotic volcanic features, and canyons so steep and wild as to require technical climbing gear to traverse. Enjoy exploring this wild country with us via remote and rugged back roads. We’ll talk about geology, natural history, and forest management; the handful of early pioneers who braved this remote wilderness; and the historic logging railroads that once traversed the area. The video link will be emailed upon registration.

     

     



 

  • The Moqui Stage Road to Grand Canyon -
    Virtual Trip
  • Item: Moqui Stage
    Tuition: $25.00
    Days: Daily     Dates: 12/4/2025 - 5/6/2026
    Sessions: 110     Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM     
    Location: Email  Email Only     
    Enroll Min: 0    Remaining Seats: 100
    Instructor: Rita & Chris Wuehrmann

    In 1903, two young girls traveled to the Grand Canyon with their families. They rode from Flagstaff to the Canyon by stagecoach, stayed in the historic, long extinct Grand View Hotel and took a 3-day trip by burro into the Canyon with Captain John Hance, the Canyon’s first tour operator and renowned storyteller. Chris Wuehrmann, our trip leader, met these two girls when they were nearing 90 years of age during a Yavapai College program in 1981, when they shared their unique memories. With their childhood experience as inspiration, he re-creates their journey to the Canyon via the route of the Moqui Stage. The trip loops west of San Francisco Peaks through pine and aspen forest, then north through largely uninhabited ranch country to the little-known Grandview Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Follow along as he visits the South Rim sites of both John Hance’s compound and the Grand View Hotel, owned, and operated by Pete Berry. We will hear about their histories as miners and tour operators in the Grandview Point area, in addition to little-known histories of other Northern Arizona pioneers and places. The video link will be emailed upon registration.



 

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For more information about the program, go to www.yc.edu/ll