Grand Gulch - Finished!

[PaleoRob]

Alright, in addition to the 4th SAPDR ( viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3663 ) I'm looking at a March Grand Gulch backpacking trip, and wondering if anyone would be interested in coming along. I've got permits for the 28th-30th, in Bullet, out Government, for four people. We can get more if needed. We'll be averaging about 6.5 miles a day, with our first day being the longest, about 7.5 miles with the remainder of the 12.5 miles taking place over the other two days. Total mileage is about 20.
For some information about Bullet: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1283
Anyone?

[Vaporman]

K, that'll work. I was planning on driving my 28 mpg car up unless we need another high clearance vehicle for the shuttle. I've only done Bullet-Gulch-Shieks up there so far and know Bullet can be hit with a car, but I've read that the Government TH is another story... Do we need another SUV for the shuttle or am I good with my car? I'm assuming water won't be an issue this time of year?

[PaleoRob]

Water shouldn't be an issue. I think a high clearance 2wd will get us out to the Government TH just fine, based on the BLM data I've read. I'll call them sometime in the next week or two to get more up-to-date info on the roads.

[rushthezeppelin]

Man I'm really starting to get pretty stoked about this trip. Gonna be nice to finally do something more than a little overnighter too.

[oliverr99]

I am excited too. A little nervous about the chutes, but excited to see the ruins. I love seeing this kind of stuff. Randal assured me he will help me get through the slick rock and high above ground! Thanks Randal for the reassurance!

[rushthezeppelin]

Well you have plenty of practice with chutes here near the valley.

[PaleoRob]

As long as it is not icy, the chutes shouldn't be a really big deal. It was the ice that made it interesting.

[oliverr99]

I could understand how that would be a problem or uhm, make it interesting!

[PaleoRob]

Could be quite fun with a sled though!

[rushthezeppelin]

Heh maybe I should bring along my climbing harness I just bought

[PaleoRob]

I wish. Climbing gear is not allowed to access ruins or sites on Cedar Mesa.

[RedRoxx44]

Government should be accessible with HC 2wd, has a few rocky sections but a couple of years ago when I was down there saw a car quite far along the way. There is some nice small car camps pullout along the way.

[rushthezeppelin]

Vaporman is your vehicle high clearance?

[Vaporman]

Not so much... I asked earlier if I needed to bring a high clearance vehicle to help out with the shuttle, but no one responded. I can take the SUV up if your willing to pay some more for gas. It only gets like 15-20mpg...

[rushthezeppelin]

I wish. Climbing gear is not allowed to access ruins or sites on Cedar Mesa.

Can't even have one along for safety purposes?

[PaleoRob]

I'd bring a rope for safety purposes, but I think harness/shoes would be frowned upon. We can always find out more when we get to the KGRS.

[oliverr99]

Hey Rob, is it better to have the iodine pills or water filter? Just thinking about weight!

[PaleoRob]

I usually just bring iodine. That worked fine for my last GG trip, and it weighs much less than a filter. Of course if WalMart is out of iodine up here, I might have to bring my filter anyway.
But if you have the option, I'd say go iodine.

[rushthezeppelin]

Ya I somehow lost my gravity filter so I'm going to have to go with tabs for this trip as well, unless it turns up somehow.

[oliverr99]

Then I will leave it at home and save weight!

[oliverr99]

I could always bring you some iodine pills if you like. Just let me know. I don't mind!