Spend your Thanksgiving in Utah backcountry

North Idaho College’s Outdoor Pursuits program is sponsoring a desert backpacking trip to southern Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Nov. 22 through 27.

Participants will travel 800 miles by van to Escalante, Utah, spending the first night in the Petrified Forest State Park before heading into the backcountry.

Trip participants will explore sand dunes, desert wildlife, natural arches and bridges, breathtaking waterfalls, rock canyons and a backcountry Thanksgiving dinner.

Backpacking experience is required. The trip is open to adults with a moderate fitness level since participants will be expected to carry all of the supplies needed to travel safely through the desert environment for four days.

Cost is $125, which covers transportation and campsite fees. Personal equipment and food is the responsibility of participants.

Equipment lists and itineraries will be distributed at the mandatory pre-trip meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Outdoor Pursuits Office, in the lower level of NIC’s Edminster Student Union Building.

To sign up, call Outdoor Pursuits at (208) 769-7809.