Students trade campus for Moab adventure

While other Utah State University students celebrated Homecoming weekend in Logan, some students piled into a Suburban and headed southeast to explore Moab on a trip led by Campus Recreation.   

 The group, which included seven participants and three trip leaders, rafted down the Colorado River, splashed in the mud and hiked among the red-rock formations of Arches National Park.  

 “It was just beautiful,” said Cooper Linderfelt, a Utah State senior and Outdoor Programs student trip leader. “There was gorgeous scenery the whole time.” 

 Linderfelt said an unexpected highlight of the trip was camping under the harvest moon on Saturday night. 

 “The moon was incredible,” Linderfelt said. “When it came up over the horizon, you couldn’t put your hand up at a full arm’s length and block the moon. It was just huge.” 

 At the campsite, Linderfelt said light pollution was minimal, allowing the campers to see the night sky in a way that isn’t possible in Logan.  

 “It’s just really incredible to be able to see the Milky Way and the stars,” said Illa Ranjan, a trip leader and Utah State junior.  

 The students hiked to Delicate Arch at night, and on the way, Linderfelt said they saw many frogs. 

 “I really didn’t expect to see frogs in the desert, but I think they came out because it had just rained,” Linderfelt said.  

 In the daytime, Linderfelt said the campers enjoyed spending time on the Colorado River using rafts and kayaks.  

 “We were all goofing around, throwing each other in, shooting each other with squirt guns and racing each other on boats,” Linderfelt said. 

 Linderfelt said the fun wasn’t limited to the water, as students also enjoyed splashing in the mud.  

 “We got to play in the mud, which may not sound very appealing, but this mud was like the perfect consistency to play in,” Linderfelt said. “You could throw it, you could jump in it — it was just perfect.” 

 According to Ranjan, trips like this can be beneficial to college students’ mental health.  

 “I think that everyone needs a break every once in a while,” Ranjan said. “Being in a college environment can be really hard for a lot of people. Getting out and moving your body and using your brain in a new way can be really nice.” 

 Campus Recreation plans to host several more outings this academic year, including backpacking, mountain biking, canoeing and backcountry skiing trips. 

 The trip to Moab cost students $150 each, which Ranjan said is reasonable for a weekend trip.  

 “It’s a lot less expensive than it would be if you were going to go on a personal trip,” Ranjan said. “When you come on a trip with us, we provide transportation and food and all the camping stuff.” 

 According to Ranjan, students of all skill levels are invited to participate.  

 “The trips are set up so that people who have never had access to this kind of outdoor activity are set up for success,” Ranjan said. “All you have to do is show up, bring clothes and a water bottle, and we’ll show you how to do everything.”  

 For more information, students can visit usu.edu/campusrec/ or @usucampusrec on Instagram.