Paiute Strip Deathmarch

[PaleoRob]

a.k.a. Rainbow Bridge in a Day?

In discussions with my wife earlier today, we were contemplating the possibility of a Lodge to Lake trip. We've been talking about a Rainbow Bridge trip, via the northern/eastern approach as a multiday backpacking trip for some time now, but the idea of being able to do Lodge to Lake in a day intrigued me. Ely said you'd have to be nuts; Redbud pass is too high and too rugged to want to do in a day. I don't know. I've managed more than a couple thirteen mile + days in the last few years (including the Keet Seel daytrip). Elevation change would be the X factor, I suppose, since none of the triplogs I've seen say anything about what could be expected. Timing with the pickup boat could be interesting too. But, 13 miles at even just 2mph would be 6.5 hours. Plenty of time if you've just got your light daypack and lots of daylight hours, like September. Would this madness be interesting to anyone other than just me?

[Sredfield]

In my opinion, Redbud Pass is a non-event, walk up and down a few hundred feet. Day hiking from the Lodge Ruins to the Lake would be more than doable for anyone reasonably conditioned.

[nonot]

I have this route plotted, but have a question: why are you going over redbud pass unless you are coming in from the south? I think I found where the lodge is (ESE of Navajo Mountain?) Coming in from the east looks like a multiday trek?? With a really early start 13 miles shouldn't be a problem, especially in daypacks.

I am interested in doing this as I would like to see the arch without having to pay through the nose for boat rental. How much do you think this will end up costing and are you scheduling this trip over a weekend?

[PaleoRob]

This is (I believe) where the lodge ruins are, but I could be wrong. Either way, this is the area of the trailhead.
http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =-110.8939
I agree, 13 miles wouldn't be an issue with daypacks, provided that Redbud Pass isn't some multi-thousand foot climb and drop. I've heard conflicting reports; some say its this terrible monolithic face to be scaled. Others, like you Sredfield, say its no big deal, a couple hundred feet. Maybe it is just a difference in levels of fitness of the hikers I've heard from.
Yeah, this would most likely be on a weekend, and probably in September if we end up doing it. Cost? Biggest cost would probably gas for a friend's boat to pick us up from the dock, and that'd depend on the going rate of gas on the lake. Otherwise just $5/person for hiking permit, and then whatever it'd take gas wise to shuttle back out to the trailhead.
Also need to figure out what sort of vehicle is required to get to the trailhead, if my 2wd Explorer will handle it or something else needs to be figured out.

[RedRoxx44]

It certainly sounds like an adventure and I can't speak for that side of the trail around Navajo Mtn. I did it from the north side, didn't start till about noon, camped above the last sidecanyon before the main canyon to Rainbow Bridge. But it was spring and long days. I got to the bridge early the next day, then ran into Shawn and his group and hiked out ahead of them, staying overnight at another canyon then out early the next day.
I would daresay this area is best done as a backpack, not that it couldn't be done as a dayhike; at least that portion. The scenery is unparalleled in canyon country IMHO. I would like to do the whole enchilada someday but was very pleased with viewing snow covered Navajo mtn out my front doorstep of my tent, all to myself.

[PaleoRob]

Yeah, I'm not usually into the whole speed-hiking thing, but I would like to hike to the bridge; I've already come up from the lake side. Having done that, I can plan to spend several days out in the area north of the Mountain without a thought or concern about getting to the Bridge, just exploring.
I guess I could do that anyway, but my mind works in funny ways sometimes.

[nonot]

Rob, I have that plotted, I think that Redbud pass is like Shawn said, 300ft up and 350 ft down. There are several drainages to go over on the way to Redbud that accumulate a few hundred feet AEG each. Past Redbud it looks like a fairly decent descent to the lake the rest of the way.

Here's my 5 minute estimate of what it involves:
Net gain: -2600 ft
AEG: maybe about 1300ft
Distance: hmmm, maybe 13-15 miles cause there are alot of switchbacks and weaving through the canyons

This looks awesome and please keep me in the loop!

I likely can't contribute to the logistics vehicle wise but the road to Haystack rock looks pretty good on the satellite view.