NJ Girl,

The Firey Furnace hike is the ranger led hike that you need to sign up for in advance. There is also a fee per person. I believe they do it 3 times a day and it's a "strenuous" hike that takes around 2 1/2 hours. You need to be able to climb some easy rocks, jump across gaps and squeeze through a couple of very tight spots (not for the overweight). It's a great hike and nice to take during the day because you are down in the "fins" and the temps are actually 20 degrees cooler in the "Furnace."

Austin's Chuckwagon is your typical little motel, the owners are really great people.

Thanks, Sharondi and Dayle for the hotel comments. And Dayle for inside scoop on that guided hike. It sounds good What exactly did you mean by "strenuous"? Can the tight squeezes become too claustrophic? We're not overweight at all, I just don't want to feel like I'm going to get stuck!

NJ Girl,

The squeezes are short. You won't feel claustrophobic. By saying strenuous, no "couch potatoes". People who are significantly overweight or out of shape can't make it. You need to be just a bit flexibe and agile.

I've taken this tour twice (it is fantastic!) and there were a fair number of senior citizens both times. They say "strenuous" since so many Americans are in such terrible shape, and you don't have the option of stopping and finding your own way out (it's quite a maze).