Feeling slighted

[PaleoRob]

Okay, so this month I was stoked; had two backpacks planned. One in the Canyon, and one up in Utah, totaling 7 days in all. Technical issues caused the 1st to be canceled, and sickness and a partner's family crisis scuttled the second. So I'm feeling like I need some longer backpacking trip, 5-7 days to get that "time back" in the backcountry. Spring is filling up rapidly, with 3 trips planned for April and a couple for May...and then it's summer. I'm thinking September-October time frame, 5-7 days, somewhere up in Utah. Not going to be looking to make massive distance, probably 25-35 miles. Looking for a couple folks who might be interested in joining in. Takers?

[BobP]

I may be doing Kings Peak area in early-mid September. Probably 3-4 days relaxing camping, fishing and oh yeah hiking some 13er's.

[RedRoxx44]

How about along the Escalante River, say Harris Wash or in at Fence Canyon, then out Coyote/Hurricane. I think its about 50+ miles with side canyons, but with several folks could set car shuttles along the system so could figure out a few bail outs on east/west sides.
I'd be up for that.

[nonot]

Just to be clear, this sign up is for Sept-October time frame?

[big_load]

I haven't seen that little piece of the world yet. I'll stay tuned and see how my schedule holds up.

[PaleoRob]

How about along the Escalante River, say Harris Wash or in at Fence Canyon, then out Coyote/Hurricane. I think its about 50+ miles with side canyons, but with several folks could set car shuttles along the system so could figure out a few bail outs on east/west sides.
I'd be up for that.

Ooh, I like this idea, especially since that would cover some of the area I was going to see on my canceled trips. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Just to be clear, this sign up is for Sept-October time frame?

Right. We can work out specific dates between those who are interested, but that's the time frame for now.

[RedRoxx44]

Just to throw out some general ideas; but I have to look at my maps--
Harris Wash--pretty vehicle accessible, but about 8-9 miles to Escalante River, beautiful canyon tho--
Fence is accessed from Egypt which can sometimes be challenging for a car. But short hike to river, about 2 miles maybe, you can see the trees at the river from the TH.
25 mile is a rather boring entrance to Escalante IMO
Hike down then first practical car exit is actually to the other side ( meaning a long car shuttle), being the Moody canyons. East Moody could require a short cord for roping packs at one spot.

Worthwhile sidecanyons--Neon, Ringtail, Scorpion, East Moody. The exit at Coyote depends on lake levels. Worthwhile to hike out but could shorten it by going out the Sandslide and Crack in the Wall ( might need a short cord for packs here too), but 40mile TH is very sandy for cars. And you would miss Coyote Gulch. Could also go out by Jacob Hamblin arch but need to be comfortable with climbing with a pack and a handline could be needed. Would see a lot of Coyote that way but still Hurricane is easy and not difficult and the car park is right by the main road.

Or a possible loop involving the canyon systems. Silver Falls Creek and Choprock is excellent, as are the Moodys, as is just about anything up there.

Dang, I miss southern utah!!

[PaleoRob]

I just gave a quick look-see on my Trails Illustrated map for the region, and it lists Harris Wash at 10 miles TH to river. Harris comes out at the river around RM 29. Coyote Gulch comes into the river at RM ~75, and it lists Coyote Gulch as 12 miles river to TH at Hurricane Wash. That (if I'm adding and reading everything right) comes out to 68 miles +sidecanyons. That still sounds good to me, provided we're out 7 days or more (if I take 4 days off of work, I actually have 10 days off, Saturday through the next Monday, so if we want to be out longer than 7, it's possible for me at least.). That sound about right, Letty?

[RedRoxx44]

I still haven't looked at my map so sounds right to me; I looked at doing this a few years ago but they had major spring flooding when I wanted to go.
Just an FYI; hiking there is not very easy, sure it's pretty flat but will be a lot of bushwaking in spots, there is a pack trail along the Escalante but it may be paritally wiped out with the floods they had. And a ton of wading, some of it may be deep in spots.
So, it may not be fast hiking in there, and the longer the trip the heavier the packs with food. Of course water will not be an issue, there will be plenty of it.
I'll be up in that area in May so I may have some more info after that.

[PaleoRob]

Just an FYI; hiking there is not very easy, sure it's pretty flat but will be a lot of bushwaking in spots, there is a pack trail along the Escalante but it may be paritally wiped out with the floods they had. And a ton of wading, some of it may be deep in spots.
So, it may not be fast hiking in there, and the longer the trip the heavier the packs with food. Of course water will not be an issue, there will be plenty of it.
I'll be up in that area in May so I may have some more info after that.

That's fine by me. Like I said I can take up to 10 days to do the hike, so if can be tough and slow, I can take the time to do it. Bushwacking...I've done it before and will do it again, regardless of this trip. I'll have to work on pack weight, no doubt, but I need to do some tweaking of my load anyway. My only real concern is that I've never done more than 8 miles/day backpacking before. I'm sure I can, but its only dayhikes so far where I've done longer miles. However, if its slow like you say, that may not be a serious issue I suppose. Anyway, I'll be interested to see what you find out up there in a few months, because this is something I am seriously interested in doing.

[big_load]

Any news on this one? I'm trying not to lose track of it.

[PaleoRob]

Still floating things around. We're putting in for a Rim-to-Rim in October. Depending on what happens there, that'll determine what happens with this deal.

Other oprions instead of the Escalante include a Cedar Mesa trek, possibly Collins Canyon down to the San Juan, or a longer trip down Fish/Owl, or maybe Kane Gulch to Collins. Maybe a descent of the Chinle through Comb Ridge to the San Juan. I was putting some serious thought into this very subject this week as I poured over some of my maps.

[Jim]

If you do the Rim to Rim, let me know I am interested in doing that. How often do you get down to the Flag area? -in regards to the hiking club.

[big_load]

Bump. Still watching, ready to make flight plans if the time is right.

[azdesertfather]

sounds awesome! would love to do it, but outside of weekends, i'm too booked for one that long in the next several weeks

have fun...i'm sure that will be a blast!!

[PaleoRob]

AUGH! I dislike having a car that can only get warranty work in Phoenix or Vegas for the closest destinations. Two weekends of this month will be wasted going down to Tucson and back to get the Jetta fixed - fixing a problem that Chapman Volkswagen could have and should have prevented: they JB Welded a crack in the AC evaporator instead of replacing the unit, like they billed us and the warranty company for, and now the crack has opened up and spews water all over the floor if we have to use the AC. Hard to drive around up here in the summer without AC, to say nothing of going down through Phoenix and Tucson without it! So its all up in the air if this is going to work out still. I may just end up taking a quick overnighter/three day trip someplace and be thankful I can get that in. Will keep y'all updated as events warrant.