5 Day September Canyon Backpack?

[Cirrus2000]

OK, I'm planning my next next trip to Utah. I'll be down in Zion then Escalante doing canyons in May. I'm going to do FreezeFest at the end of the year (yes I am, really!) So in between I'm planning on a weeklong trip in September.

I have September 12 to 18, Sunday to Saturday. The first and last days are travel days, so Monday to Friday are play days. I have a couple or three trips in mind, and wondered whether anyone here was interested in joining me (an extra vehicle would be nice for a shuttle!), or had any other ideas.

The options I am thinking of are either:

Paria, Buckskin, and Wire Pass - in that order. A reverse of the usual top-down trip, or
a Dark Canyon trip - either the Woodenshoe-Peavine loop, or if a car shuttle is available, a longer through hike to the Sundance Trail exit. Or maybe,
a trip down Death Hollow from the top, and out up or down the Escalante.

It's a hot time for these trips, but it's what I have available. I'll probably fly in to Vegas, rent a car, and arrive the evening of Sunday the 12th. I will fly back out of Vegas on the following Saturday, the 18th.

Any interest out there in joining in? Previous desert backpack trips include Buckskin/Paria the normal way, 5 days in Grand Gulch, and shorter overnight trips in Dark Canyon and Death Hollow.

[uintahiker]

I've always been intrigued with Death Hollow from the top. That would be my vote.

Buckskin Gulch is usually an overnighter. It sounds like you've got a lot more time then that, so would you be starting on the Paria near Page?

[Scott P]

I have a couple or three trips in mind, and wondered whether anyone here was interested in joining me (an extra vehicle would be nice for a shuttle!), or had any other ideas.

The options I am thinking of are either:


Paria, Buckskin, and Wire Pass - in that order. A reverse of the usual top-down trip, or

a Dark Canyon trip - either the Woodenshoe-Peavine loop, or if a car shuttle is available, a longer through hike to the Sundance Trail exit. Or maybe,

a trip down Death Hollow from the top, and out up or down the Escalante.

All are excellent choices, but be somewhat wary about the Buckskin/Paria since you may have to get permits in advance and mid-September is very much flash flood season. During the week, it might not be a problem getting a last minute permit though.

Death Hollow is also prone to floods, but you don't have to get any advanced permit so plans are easily altered last minute. PS, speaking from experience, if you are sensitive to poison ivy, Death Hollow will leave you oozing for months afterwards. It's a great canyon though.

FYI, the section of Dark Canyon containing the Woodenshoe-Peavine Loop is no where near as good as the sections down canyon. The best part of Dark Canyon is between Youngs Canyon and Lost Canyon, with the section Sundance Trail to the Colorado (former Powell) being a close second. The least interesting (though still OK) section of Dark is the Woodenshoe-Peavine Loop, though there are a few nice ruins. It is more rugged, but more impressive to do a Youngs/Lean To loop instead. If you have a shuttle, the through hike through Dark is really good.

Other awesome choices in the area are Gypsum Canyon or Bowdie Canyon below the confluence (like Dark, the upper canyon is not as interesting, but is really great in the middle and lower sections).

Of course the Escalante has lots of other great stuff too, but you're already headed there in May.

Aztec Creek would be another really good one that time of year as well.

I'd like to join you, but I don't think my project will be done by then. We probably won't be done until early October.

[CarpeyBiggs]

OK, I'm planning my next next trip to Utah. I'll be down in Zion then Escalante doing canyons in May. I'm going to do FreezeFest at the end of the year (yes I am, really!) So in between I'm planning on a weeklong trip in September.

I have September 12 to 18, Sunday to Saturday. The first and last days are travel days, so Monday to Friday are play days. I have a couple or three trips in mind, and wondered whether anyone here was interested in joining me (an extra vehicle would be nice for a shuttle!), or had any other ideas.

The options I am thinking of are either:

Paria, Buckskin, and Wire Pass - in that order. A reverse of the usual top-down trip, or
a Dark Canyon trip - either the Woodenshoe-Peavine loop, or if a car shuttle is available, a longer through hike to the Sundance Trail exit. Or maybe,
a trip down Death Hollow from the top, and out up or down the Escalante.

It's a hot time for these trips, but it's what I have available. I'll probably fly in to Vegas, rent a car, and arrive the evening of Sunday the 12th. I will fly back out of Vegas on the following Saturday, the 18th.

Any interest out there in joining in? Previous desert backpack trips include Buckskin/Paria the normal way, 5 days in Grand Gulch, and shorter overnight trips in Dark Canyon and Death Hollow.

You've already seen the best of the Paria/Buckskin, etc.. IMO. Time for something different.

I'd be interested in a possible Dark Canyon backpack, and Death Hollow has been on my list for years, and always evaded me.

Barring any unforseen changes, I should be available and would love to join ya on a Dark Canyon or DH trip.

p.s. we will be in Escalante in May, if ya wanna try and hook then. Death Hollow may be feasible in May, depending on the snowpack, etc...

[Iceaxe]

Since you are having a hard time deciding I'll toss anther of my favorite areas into the mix

Grand Gulch
http://climb-utah.com/CM/uppergrand.htm

The area can be configure many different ways to create anything from a nice over nighter to a week long adventure. And its really nice in September, we usually go down over Labor Day.

http://climb-utah.com/CM/Files/uppergrandgulch08.jpg

http://climb-utah.com/CM/Files/sheiks4.jpg

[neilether]

Any interest out there in joining in? Previous desert backpack trips include Buckskin/Paria the normal way, 5 days in Grand Gulch, and shorter overnight trips in Dark Canyon and Death Hollow.

I am interested in joining you. A bit too early for me to commit, but would love to check out Death Hollow! Keep us posted as your plans shape up.

[Cirrus2000]

All are excellent choices, but be somewhat wary about the Buckskin/Paria since you may have to get permits in advance and mid-September is very much flash flood season. During the week, it might not be a problem getting a last minute permit though.
-------------------
I'd like to join you, but I don't think my project will be done by then. We probably won't be done until early October.
Great - thanks for the pointers, Scott!

You've already seen the best of the Paria/Buckskin, etc.. IMO. Time for something different.

I'd be interested in a possible Dark Canyon backpack, and Death Hollow has been on my list for years, and always evaded me.

Barring any unforseen changes, I should be available and would love to join ya on a Dark Canyon or DH trip.

p.s. we will be in Escalante in May, if ya wanna try and hook then. Death Hollow may be feasible in May, depending on the snowpack, etc...
Paria with foliage is still on the list - I loved it when I went on March 1-4, but would like to see it more "in season", and the idea of bottom-up intrigues me. One day...

Sounds great - It would be great to finally meet up with you and do something like that! We'll keep in touch.

Since you are having a hard time deciding I'll toss another of my favorite areas into the mix

Grand Gulch
http://climb-utah.com/CM/uppergrand.htm

April 2008: http://bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11757

:2thumbs:


I am interested in joining you. A bit too early for me to commit, but would love to check out Death Hollow! Keep us posted as your plans shape up.

Cool! I'll bump this as it approaches.

[trackrunner]

Deer Creek upper pariah area & Stone Donkey hackberry areas have intrigue me.

[ststephen]

Probably not good dates for me. Robin and I are doing a trip in Buckskin for spring break though.

[denaliguide]

there is a real neat loop you can do in dark canyon. in and out at the sundance trail. take you about 5 days or so. only one place with any real exposure. nice camps and some ruins to be seen even a roofed kiva. let me know and i will send you the .tpo file.

[bobb169]

Death Hollow from the road to Boulder and out to Escalante town ..........awesome hike, good variety, good water................pick that one, its one of the best. The pouroff pool up Mamie canyon is a must see.