For self guided hikers that want to explore the vibrant mountains of Colorado we recommend our Telluride: The Switzerland of America hike. This route focuses on the area surrounding Telluride Colorado, unambiguously the most dramatic and wild section of the Colorado wilderness, and the home to Ryder-Walker and many of its guides. Visitors to this magnificent region will get to experience the same beauty and western charm that have kept us in the region for decades! 

Ryder-Walker’s trips through the desert southwest of America are some of our company’s in-house favorites, and explore the region where many of the guides spend their own vacation time! In both New Mexico and Utah we travel to all of our favorite locations in the desert. Whether they are hidden local haunts or world-class hiking destinations like Moab, the mystery and charm of the desert southwest are guaranteed to provide a profound experience – especially for those new to the stunning region. The southwest still hides many secrets, including ancient trails that lead to Anasazi cliff dwellings and hidden waterfall canyons

New Mexico: Santa Fe to Taos, which we also offer as a self guided hike, travels between the desert and the mountains in New Mexico. You get to enjoy the unique experience of leaving the desert trading city of Santa-Fe and wander upwards as the climate dramatically changes from rolling hills to the high mountains surrounding Taos. Santa Fe is a reason to visit New Mexico in itself, boasting world-class restaurants, art-crawls, and outdoor markets, Santa Fe truly feels like a gem of the wild west!

Sedona, Arches, & Canyonlands is our true desert trek that explores the heart of Utah’s national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, and Bears Ears National Monument. Arches is an incredible testament to natural beauty with its twisting sandstone formations. Canyonlands include hundreds of miles of wandering canyons some of which are still only rarely explored. Finally, The Bears Ears National Monument is the United States’ youngest National Monument, which has been protected to preserve the historic remnants of the Anasazi people which are hidden deep within the ultra-remote desert that Bears Ears encompasses.  Every step in this alien landscape provides another surprise or delight. There is nowhere else on earth quite like Utah, and we strongly believe that it is important for every person to experience this truly different section of the US at least once in their life.