Guys, thanks a lot for the input. I do appreciate it. Looks like I'm going to have to try for a Plan B though. Permits for Paria have been taken for the days we'd need them, so shame on me for being asleep at the wheel on that one. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestion. I've considered Buckskin but the shuttle requirement will almost surely rule it out as a possibility this time - we'll only have one vehicle and would be driving up from Phoenix. As for BPL, no, I haven't posted over there but it might be a good idea.

^ Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already done that. I was more interested in personal testimonials and suggestions than trying to figure something out cold-turkey by studying a map.

Howdy all! This is my first post here. I'm soliciting suggestions for a 3 day/2 night backpacking trip in northern Arizona/southern Utah. A mountain biking buddy from PA will be visiting me in Phoenix mid-October and I'd like to take him somewhere that's NOT in the Canyon. I'm an experienced desert ...