Llama drop trip, Upper Sand Creek, October 15-20, 2026

BJ Orozco, our long-time llama packer, is doing one more llama trip for us. I know that BJ has been slow to let go of his llama business, and we have been concerned that we were facing a last trip for 2-3 years now, but the sale of the llama business didn't go through, and BJ says he is unlkely renew his permits next year. 

We are back to a trip format that we know and love - a drop camp, where our gear is carried in by llamas, and we take care of our meals and camp. We will travel to a region of upper Sand Creek that several of us visited in spring 2012.  A full trip report can be found at https://lamountaineers.org/node/201#comments. The trip allowed for exploration into and around multiple canyon systems, including the massive Death Hollow complex. The only downside of the 2012 trip, in late May-June, was unpleasant heat, but we are likely to be fine in mid-October.

We will head to a single campsite on Sand Creek for the duration of the trip. Our route will take is cross-country for 4-5 miles to camp. We will need to provide our meals, cooking, purified water, chair, and toilet facilities, but we will have the help of Charlie Brown, who we have hired as camp helper for the trip. We will spend 5 nights in the canyon country, with 4 full days to explore from our base camp. 

The trip is viable with 5 to 8 participants. If there are 8 participants, the cost per person should be about $700 per person for the llama packing, camp helper, and tips. To secure a spot, please send me a deposit of $600 per person. We will settle up the exact costs after the trip. Refunds are possible only if we can find a suitable replacement for your spot. 

Schedule:

(optional) Tuesday, October 13. Leave Los Alamos, drive to Bluff, Utah (5 1/2 hours).

Wednesday, October 14: drive to Torrey or Boulder, Utah from home or Bluff, overnight in a motel. Let’s carpool as much as possible.

Thursday, October 15: meet llama packers, head into the canyon. It is helpful if some of us share the llama leading on the way to and from camp.

Friday-Monday: four full days in the canyon wilderness, with explorations every day

Tuesday, October 20 hike out, end of trip. Some participants will drive to Hanksville to begin a second house-based canyon trip. Others can arrange a motel where they would like, and continue home the next day.

I will explore lodging possibilities for October 14 as the trip comes closer.

We’ve never had a bad llama trip. If this one is the last, it should be a great one. Sincerely, Bill