SOUTHWEST ARIZONA ADVENTURE
SPRING BREAK | ARIZONA, USA | MAR 9-16, 2024
OOVER
OVERVIEW
Join us for a week long spring break road trip in Arizona! This experience will start with a flight to Phoenix, AZ, which is where we will officially kick off our adventure and finish outfitting our trip. After a night in Phoenix, we will travel north to Prescott, AZ, where we will camp for our first night outside. During the day in Prescott, a fun and historic college town in central Arizona, we will make the short trip over to hike near the Granite Dells and Watson Lake, which features unique granite rock formations, lakes, and miles of trails. Once we’ve had our fill in this area, we’ll keep making our way north to Sedona. This town and surrounding area features hundreds of miles of trails, scenic views in all directions, red sandstone towers and cliffs, historic nearby mining and ghost towns, and an improbable amount of biodiversity not expected to be found in such an arid climate. One could spend a lifetime exploring this region of Arizona. After two days of camping, hiking and sightseeing in this area, we will travel further north to what many may consider the grand finale of the trip– the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Once here, we will camp, experience our biggest day of hiking yet with a hike down to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon and back out the way we came, and do our very best to take in the overwhelming beauty of this iconic national park. After finishing our time at the Grand Canyon, we’ll make our way back to Phoenix for one final night before we fly back to PA.
Spring is a special time in the high elevation desert of central and northern Arizona. In the lower elevations the shrubs, cacti, grasses, cottonwood and juniper trees are blooming, while up higher over some of the mountain passes the red rocks give way to ponderosa pine forests that will likely still be covered with snow. Temperatures can range greatly during this time of the year between 30F and 80F, with relatively low precipitation and humidity. This trip will include 5 nights of tented camping, 2 nights of lodging in hotel/house-style accommodations, lots of hiking and exploration, and an unforgettable road trip through the heart of Arizona. Participants should prepare to come ready for adventure, challenge and the nourishment that tends to come from spending time in this open, wild desert country. All trip participants should come with prior experience hiking and the ability to hike on uneven, rugged established trails while carrying a backpack of up to 20lbs for up to 15 miles at a time with 2,000-3,000ft of vertical gain/descent.
LOGISTICS
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What are Bison Bikes?Bison Bikes is a bike share program managed through the Outdoor Education and Leadership (OEL). Bison Bikes provides long term rentals each semester and during the summer to current Bucknell students at no cost. Students can request a bike through our portal (website). Students are able to recieve ongoing maintenance for their bike, and other related needs throughout the semester. Regular maintenance costs are taken care of by the program and not the responsibility of the student. Significant damanges or a lost/stolen bike is the financial responsibility of the student. Each bike rental includes a bike lock and helmet.
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How do I rent a bike through Bison Bikes?Prior to the start of each fall and spring semester we will make our Bike Request form available here on our portal (website). Simply complete the information requested and submit. Regardless of availability, our staff will be in touch within 2-3 regular business days following the closing date of the lottery. Because less students are on campus and request bikes during the summer, generally all bison bike requests will be met during the summer. Bikes will be assigned based on random selection from the entries recieved through our Bike Request form. If a bike is available, a pick up time will be shared with you to rent the bike, bike lock and helmet. At the time of pick up, you will also need to review and agree to our Rental Agreement and Liability Form. Fall 2024 Bison Bike rentals are available for pick up during scheduled times the week of September 1st - 6th and are due back during scheduled times November 15th - 20th. We will not rent bikes out after Sept 6, and will not be able to extend any bike rentals beyond November 20. We will not be able to rent out bikes outside of the pre selected pick up and return times which are shared with the renter upon selection. The renter must be present during these times to pick up and return the bike. You can always Contact Us directly with more questions about the bike request and rental process.
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Damage PolicyRegular use of bikes will result in basic maintenance needs (flat tire, chain pops off, brake issues, etc.). Repair and/or maintenance needs as a result of standard wear and tear can be serviced by OEL Rental Center Staff at no cost to the renter. If damage occurs to bikes as a result of abuse or neglect (running it into a curb, attempting to ride down stairs, etc.) renters will assume the responsibility of fees for repairing or replacing bikes/bike parts as required. Repair and replacement fees will be reviewed and assessed by the Bison Bike Student Manager and/or the OEL Professional Staff. Failure to pay damage fees within two weeks from the date they are shared with the renter will result in the renter's information being sent to the Finance Office who may place a hold on the renter's account.
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Lock PolicyEvery Bison Bike renter is provided with a bike lock upon bike rental. Renters are required to use the lock distributed by the OEL Rental Center for their Bison Bike. Bikes must be locked appropriately around the frame and front tire when not in use. If a bike is found unlocked or locked inappropriately, the bike may be confiscated and the renter notified. If a second offense occurs, the bike may be confiscated and the renter may not be permitted to rent a Bison Bike again during their time at Bucknell. If a renter fails to lock the bike responsibly or does not use the provided lock and the bike is stolen, they will be held responsible for the bike theft. The renter will be responsible for paying all fees associated with replacement of their stolen equipment. Failure to pay replacement fees within two weeks from the date they are shared with the renter will result in the renter's information being sent to the Finance Office who may place a hold on the renter's account. Replacement cost for the bike is $600.00. Replacement cost for the helmet is $30.00. Replacement cost for the bike lock is $25.00.
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Return Date PolicyAll Bison Bikes will be due during a designated date window/range toward the end of each semester. This will be pre-determined by the OEL Rental Center and shared with the renter at the time the bike is rented. It is the renter's responsibility to schedule their return during this period of time. Failure to return a bike during this period of time will result in late fees as explained in our Late Fee Policy. Failure to return the Bison Bike, helmet, and lock by the scheduled return date may limit the renters ability to be rented a Bison Bike in the future.
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Late Fee PolicyBikes, locks with key, and helmets must be returned during the pre-determined time period as agreed during initial pick up. Late returns of the rental package - bike + locks/key + helmet will incur a flat late fee of $10/day until the cost of the equipment is reached. Bikes, locks with key and helmets returned at different times will result in itemized daily late fees of $10 for the bike, $5 for the lock/key and $5 for the helmet per day until the cost of the equipment is reached. Failure to return items online may limit the renters ability to rent a Bison Bike in the future. Failure to pay replacement fees within two weeks from the date they are shared with the renter will result in the renter's information being sent to the Finance Office who may place a hold on the renter's account.
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Bike MaintenanceIf your Bison Bike needs maintenance (flat tire, squeaky brakes) please bring your bike into the OEL Rental and Outfitting Center located in Tustin between 12pm-4pm Monday through Friday while classes are in session. The staff can take your bike, and our bike techs will fix it within the next few days. You'll be contacted when it is ready for pick up! If damages are due to irresponsible use, you will be charged for the maintenance costs. Please email oelbikes@bucknell.edu with any questions! If your personal bike needs maintenance, you can bring it into the OEL Rental and Outfitting Center located in Tustin between 12pm-4pm Monday through Friday while classes are in session. The bison bike staff can take a look your bike within the next few days. If your bike just needs a basic tune up, bike techs can service your bike for free. If your bike requires parts or more extensive work, we will return the bike to you and recommend that you take your bike to a local bike shop for maintenance. Links Cyclerly (website link) Cycle Up Cafe (website link) Students and the Bucknell Community are welcome to stop by the OEL Rental and Outfitting Center located in Tustin between 12pm-4pm Monday through Friday while classes are in session to use an allen wrench or bike pump as well. Email oelbikes@bucknell.edu with any questions.
