Red Desert Three Day Tour June 28-30, 2024

American Wilderness Botanicals is offering another opportunity to explore the Red Desert of Wyoming with ethnobotanist, historian, biologist and storyteller John Mionczynski, who has been exploring and gaining an intimate knowledge of the area for over five decades.  Learn the significance of the Red Desert in the geology, plants and animals, history of human occupation, mythology, and more.
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Within the Jack Morrow Hills / Western Great Divide Basin area of the Red Desert, the group of participants will caravan in their vehicles, making multiple stops each day at various sites for teachings and discussion, with opportunities for short walks and one longer hike.  John will cover the unique flora and fauna, regional plant use, pioneer history and historic routes to and through the area.  The group will visit archaeological sites and unique geologic formations, and hear and see evidence of the sacredness of the area for prehistoric and Native American cultures.
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After this experience, participants will have expansive knowledge of a largely unknown portion of Wyoming, and understand why this area is worth protecting.
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The cost of this event is $275.00 per person.  We strongly encourage everyone to carpool if at all possible. 

More information below.

Please read the following information to determine if this trip is right for you. 

• Due to the nature of caravanning and the size of potential camping areas, this trip is open to no more than 10 participant vehicles.  We strongly encourage everyone to carpool if at all possible.
  
  
• This is a strenuous trip through remote areas, covering as many as 250 road miles over three days by caravan, starting in Farson, Wyoming at 9am on Friday June 28, ending approximately a one hour drive from either US Highway 191 or Wyoming State Highway 28 mid-afternoon on Sunday June 30.
   
• Camping each night is primitive with no facilities of any kind (as is the case throughout the Red Desert).  Each participant is responsible for having everything for their personal needs- including but not limited to food, water, clothing, outdoor and camping gear, toiletries, medications, vehicle fuel and spare tire.
  
  
• It is highly suggested that each participant inform American Wilderness Botanicals of any personal medical issues or concerns in advance of the trip.  Cellular service is spotty and the nearest medical attention could be a 3 hour drive away.
  
  
• Walking and hiking will largely be off-trail, sometimes on uneven terrain, loose soil and/or short, steep inclines.
  
  
• Four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance are necessary to navigate the roads, some of which can be badly rutted, rocky, sandy and/or muddy; some short stretches have steep road-side drop-offs.  The ability to drive the roads is dependent on the weather, which can be variable and reach extremes of wind, temperatures and precipitation.  In the case of brief, isolated rain storms, roads are generally passable once they dry (which can happen quickly); more expansive storms or wet weather prior to the trip may affect roads requiring a reroute.
  
  
• If the weather forecast predicts a storm to be in the area more than briefly, the trip may be shortened by one day and you will receive a partial refund, or the trip may be fully cancelled with a full refund given.  Mother Nature will largely dictate the itinerary, opportunities and experience.  As John says, “The Red Desert is an unforgiving landscape.
  
  
• The minimum age of participants is 13.  Pets are not allowed.
  
  
• Each participant must sign a form assuming personal risk, waiving the responsibility of American Wilderness Botanicals and John Mionczynski for any injuries or personal damaged incurred.
  
  
• Full payment is required to register for this trip.  A cancellation before June 10 will result in a 50% refund; no refund will be given for cancellations after June 9, but you may transfer your registration to someone else (in which case contact Ben Clark).
  
  
• 5% of total proceeds will be donated to Native Memory Project (nativememoryproject.org).
  
  
• A gratuity for John Mionczynski is greatly appreciated but not expected.
   
• Once you have registered, more detailed information will be emailed to you including a suggested packing list.  You will be contacted by phone in mid-June to answer any questions you may have.
  
  
• You may contact Ben Clark of American Wilderness Botanicals for more information: Rockymountainplants@gmail.com or (307) 690-8155