<![CDATA[Bogley Outdoor Community - Backpacking & Camping]]> http://www.bogley.com/forum/ Load up for BEAR!! Whether your packing it on your back or in your vehicle. Discuss here...don’t forget the T.P. en Sat, 18 May 2013 18:34:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bogley.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Bogley Outdoor Community - Backpacking & Camping]]> http://www.bogley.com/forum/ Beta Vernal, UT to Highline Trailhead http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68675-Vernal-UT-to-Highline-Trailhead&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 16:10:05 GMT I am planning on backpacking the Highline trail in August or September. I would start off on the Vernal side. There is a Greyhound bus from SLC to... I am planning on backpacking the Highline trail in August or September. I would start off on the Vernal side. There is a Greyhound bus from SLC to Vernal, so that isn't a problem. If I take the bus to Vernal, I would need to get a ride to the trail head. I live in SLC, so I can get to the West side of the trail easy enough.

Right now there is only two going. If you're also planning on doing the trip this year PM me and we can join forces. Ideally I could find someone that lives in Vernal that is also planning on doing the trip. We could then leave 1 car at each trail head and use the bus to move between SLC and Vernal.

Since the trip is 80 miles and I plan on doing Kings Peak along the way, we should be able to do the route in 7-9 days.

Thanks, ]]> reverse_dyno http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68675-Vernal-UT-to-Highline-Trailhead Gear Mobile Cell Phone Charger? http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68584-Mobile-Cell-Phone-Charger&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 16:13:24 GMT I've been looking for some mobile cell phone recharging options while out backpacking this summer. I've been considering either a solar USB charger or a precharged battery pack with the USB connection.

Anybody have a preference/experience?

I'm looking for something that would recharge the phone fully at least 3X ]]> Sombeech http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68584-Mobile-Cell-Phone-Charger Trip Report Kanab Creek, Grand Canyon via Colorado River, Cranberry route, Fishtail Mesa http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68571-Kanab-Creek-Grand-Canyon-via-Colorado-River-Cranberry-route-Fishtail-Mesa&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 22:32:05 GMT Needed a short hike for the spring. Settled on a rerun what we hiked 14 years ago but with a twist. Previously we hiked from Bill Hall TH to Deer... Needed a short hike for the spring. Settled on a rerun what we hiked 14 years ago but with a twist. Previously we hiked from Bill Hall TH to Deer Creek Falls to Kanab Creek and out Snake Gulch. This time we would to try the Cranberry Route and over Fishtail Mesa pass.....
Here is a video, make sure you switch to HD:


Some pics:
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Day 1: Drive to Sowats Point TH. A long 49 miles from Fredonia, AZ. Had to take the low route as still snow on high road. Was going to be short hiking day ( miles). Very good trail switchbacking down. Nicev iews. Headed off the main trail at Kwagunt canyon and camped early just up stream from Jumpup canyon.

Day 2: Headed out lazily, down Jumpup. Hiked up into the Indian Hollow canyon narrows for a ways then back on track. There was some water in the crack in Jumpup, but we didn’t need any. The junction of Kanab Creek and Jumpup was hot and dry. Headed on down Kanab Creek, destination was the Shower Bath Spring area for the night. Hit flowing water at about miles, not many big rocks through this section. Great campsite up higher on the left bench just before the spring.
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Day 3: Another slow start, no hurry. Just needed to get to Whispering Falls for the day. Scotty’s Castle is neat. Hiked a ways up Scotty’s Hollow a ways. Really nice waterfalls. Saw bighorn sheep and wild bee honeycombs here. Headed on down Kanab Creek, some rough going for a couple of miles through this section, with lots of large boulders. Key in bypassing by climbing is don’t go to high above the river. Probably the toughest section. Camped on a low bench just across from Whispering Falls canyon. Whispering Falls and the pool is nice. Get there in middle of day to enjoy, it’s warmer. The pool by the falls is crystal clear and about 15 ft deep.
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Day 4: Tried to get an early start, hah …. needed to make camp at Fishtail Rapids on the Colorado river. Uneventful hiking in this section of Kanab Creek…..except the limestone rocks are really sharp….grabbed one while slipping and ripped a 2” gash in my finger, lots of blood….lightweight leather gloves would be nice! This section is very colorful, with highwalls and neat overhangs. Saw trout in the 16” range, unusual. A half mile or so near the confluence we started seeing a lot of BIG carp and suckers somelooking over 20”. Looked like spawning season. As we hit the beach at the Colorado we met a private rafting group. After about a hour of relaxing/swimming we headed towards Fishtail Rapids. Lots of large rocks, really no trail to negotiate and most of the going was really slow and HOT. Seems like the route we picked was always up and down. Decided the sand beaches that always suckered us in were not the easiest way. Pick your route that stays about 50 to 100 ft from water line. This section of the Colorado river gets the sun all day long. Made it to camp tired at dusk. The next day was shaping up to be a killer…the climb up Cranberry canyon crack.

Day 5: Headed along the Colorado River on a good use trail that heads to Deer Creek Falls. It climbs above the tapeats cliffs and as soon as the trail started back down to the river we veered up, off the trail, towards the Cranberry slope. Eventually there is a bench that is easy hiking until the huge ravine you have to cross, very steep sided with loose rock. After crossing the ravine we were on the correct slope to access the Cranberry crack, about 2000 ft above us in the redwall. This slope is about the angle of repose, but the rock is pretty stable, just slow going picking your route up. When you reach the redwall it gets really steep up to the crack, take the left center one. It is now near vertical but with decent hand/footholds (if you don’t have a sliced finger) for about 20ft. A short distance you come to a vertical section, this is the crux. It’s about 20ft as well and not real good holds, but doable. We chickened out….sent one guy up to belay the rest of us. If you fell here you probably would get banged up and wouldn’t go all the way to the river. We were glad we were going up and not down. The talus slope above the redwall you need to cross is really steep and hard dirt, really exposed. We went up to just below the next cliff band and traversed left on a narrow shelf around the alcove then dropped elevation. This section had the worst pucker factor. About a half a mile around and you finally hit flat ground. The view from here up and down the Canyon is one of the best there is. This would be a great campsite but for the wind and no water. We headed up Cranberry canyon, light on water and the sun getting lower. Made camp at the drip spring and even had potholes nearby to resupply. It was easy walking on numerous use trails until the bench pinches off and you hike a short distance in the canyon bottom. Everyone was out early for the night.
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Day 6: Headed up the bottom of Cranberry canyon, the left fork, fairly decent boulder hopping in this section, not tough. Some pretty neat hoodoos at the head of the canyon. Headed cross country towards the mushroom like rock that hides the Ghost figures and an old cowboy camp. Spent a littletime there cooling off. Then it was off, a long hike across the esplanade headed for the saddle at Fishtail Mesa. It was easy walking along flat benches,keeping at the same elevation. Nice views, the canyon is wide here. Stay onthese benches, if you get to high near the talus slope up there is a steep ravine blocking the way. The slope is steep, angle of repose, as well…but there is a decent use trail up. A sketchy narrow trail traverses across to the saddle. We took some time here soaking in the view. Dropping off the back there is no trail and its brushy and fairly steep, but not like the other side. As soon as you get to the bottom the wash is sandy and decent walking. We wanted to make the turn up Indian Hollow so the hike out the next day wouldn’t be too late. It was a good push, there were some inviting campsites along this stretch with sporadic water. Passed one pouroff but it had a way around. Turning up Indian Hollow there are a pouroff and rock falls to climb, then a deluxe campsite. Just what we needed after a long day.

Day 7: The make it to the truck day. Just past camp there is a climb on the left to bypass a large pouroff. A little farther andthe route takes you left up to the flats that head back towards Sowats canyon. It’s pretty much just contour around for a few miles, staying on benches. There are some interesting canyons and rock formations along the way. We could see Indian Hollow springs, but didn’t go there. We intersected Kwagunt canyon atabout the same elevation the Sowats trail crosses. Then it’s back up the switchbacks gaining the rest of your elevation to the trailhead. After snacks, water and rest from the climb, the drive to Kanab for a decent meal was short.....All in all another great trip. Weather was perfect. Water was plentiful. Company was great.

NOTE: The Cranberry crack and across the alcove is VERY exposed, and NOT for the novice.
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]]> bobb169 http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68571-Kanab-Creek-Grand-Canyon-via-Colorado-River-Cranberry-route-Fishtail-Mesa Help Pregnant and backpacking-trip suggestions? http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68562-Pregnant-and-backpacking-trip-suggestions&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 20:14:47 GMT I was hoping someone might have some suggestions on short, relatively easy backpacking trips that a pregnant woman in her first or second trimester... I was hoping someone might have some suggestions on short, relatively easy backpacking trips that a pregnant woman in her first or second trimester might reasonably complete.

My husband grew up backpacking but I haven't done much. To give you an idea of my endurance level before the pregnancy, my first and only backpacking trip was to a meadow just beyond the "Y". Short but relatively steep. I was only carrying probably 25 pounds as it was just an over-nighter and I did just fine.

We'd really like to get some use out of our backpacking gear before the baby comes since we decided we'll be car campers for at least a couple of years until the little one is ready to backpack with us.

We're in Provo so somewhere not too far from here would be great. Uintas, Arches area, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks! ]]> Jessica_Biscuit http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68562-Pregnant-and-backpacking-trip-suggestions How To Keep sand out of your tent during a windstorm. http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68487-Keep-sand-out-of-your-tent-during-a-windstorm&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 00:50:20 GMT We were camping recently in Escalante. It was VERY windy during one particular night. A lot of sand blew up and under our rainfly and sifted in... We were camping recently in Escalante. It was VERY windy during one particular night. A lot of sand blew up and under our rainfly and sifted in through the screen above us. It was no fun to wake up with eye sockets filled with sand. Needless to say, this made sleeping very difficult.

What is a good strategy for battling the sand during a windstorm?

Bob ]]> Slot Machine http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68487-Keep-sand-out-of-your-tent-during-a-windstorm Young dumb and full of ? rocks? http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68481-Young-dumb-and-full-of-rocks&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 05:46:47 GMT I'll never forget my early years of backpacking.
We never took the kitchen sink but by the time we hit the top we wished we did.

But oh no we packed cases of beer and thought we were smart at every stop.
I thought I had it all figured out and would say grab a few out of my pack because it is close and easier than yours.:lol8:
SOB would grab five beers and add 10 rocks all under the, Sure pall and thanks.:roflol:

When we did get to the top we had no problem with our fire ring. ]]> Mtnseeker1 http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68481-Young-dumb-and-full-of-rocks Trip Report Coyote/Escalante/Beryl Loop http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68441-Coyote-Escalante-Beryl-Loop&goto=newpost Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:52:54 GMT The canyons on the east side of the Escalante River between Scorpion and Coyote Gulch aren't visited very often...it's pretty neat back in there, but I always thought that some folks that might be wondering what's back in there are put off by not knowing the routes or were water is.

Well, there's plenty of water. All the (bigger) canyons have potholes...some many, some just a few. The routes can be found in Steve Allen's guidebooks. Just going in there to "figure it out" is not advised...unless you're a pretty badass, experienced route finder.

It's beautiful back in there, but you're not going to find lush, creek filled canyons like Coyote or Harris Wash. It's physical, hard, dirty, dry and you will lose some skin...but awesome nonetheless.

So I did a short little loop at the bottom end of this area. It's a great, short (3 night) backpack...I've done it, and variations, many times. It's a great way to warm up for a bigger epic backpack...say in the Grand Canyon.

The trailhead is the Jacob Hamlin Arch route, leading into the middle of Coyote Gulch. You're not in Coyote for long, because you travel upcanyon about 20 minutes and climb out the other side. 2nd fin up from the arch...it's pretty steep, with moki steps but some may want a belay.

From there it's cross country to the Bobway, which is the short canyon between Fools and Coyote. Down the Bobway (good water there) to the river. Upstream to the next canyon on the east side...that's Icabod.

To get out, and onto the Wingate for the walk south to Beryl...go up the first little side canyon you come to. Climb a talus slope on the right to get above the first pouroff, the up to the next one where you'll see the log in the picture below...that's the way out. Walk the Wingate south, with great views of big canyon walls and the river.

Funny thing, Steve Allen said there's no way out of Beryl, but there is. I can't believe he missed it, because it's pretty obvious. Look around and you'll find it, but DON'T DO THE MOKI STEPS! One slip, and you're toast. There's a way down really close to them without all the exposure...about 30 feet away upcanyon.

Beryl is really nice, especially the long arm. At the end of it is a good seep and lots of greenery for a dry canyon. If you go in there, please practice no trace and no fires...it's pristine. When you're ready to leave, just climb down the exit and follow the river to Coyote...up that the the JHA route to the car.

Speaking of trash, although Coyote is still nice, I've decided to nickname it "Poop Canyon". Its shameful how much crap and toilet paper is in there. It seems a lot of folks just don't know what to do in that regard. It's a bummer to see a pile of dookie and a wad of ass wipe right next to the creek. A fair amount of regular trash, too...especially in the campsites. Oh well, it's still better than when the cows were in there.

Anyway...pictures.
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]]> Byron http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68441-Coyote-Escalante-Beryl-Loop Trip Report Shortcut to Cliff http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68361-Shortcut-to-Cliff&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:03:04 GMT I just returned from a well deserved and enjoyable vacation...although dodging snow, rain, mud and cold winds between the nice days was quite a... I just returned from a well deserved and enjoyable vacation...although dodging snow, rain, mud and cold winds between the nice days was quite a challenge.

One of the trips I did was a shortcut to the top of the southern end of the Waterpocket Fold. I've been up there many times, mostly coming in from either Coyote or Scorpion on a multi-day backpack or the airfield route at Halls Creek. The Halls route will get you up there in two nights, but I decided to try something different to get me up there in one.

So I parked on the Bullfrog/Notom road, just up from the switchbacks above Bullfrog Creek and made my way cross country to the edge of the cliff on the east side of Hall's just upstream of Miller's canyon. There is a route through there, but it's tricky to find...especially from above.

Anyway...the cross country trek only took 2.5 hours, which is considerably faster than the airfield route. From there, it took half an hour to go downstream to the upclimb...just past the mouth of Happy Dog slot. The climb to the top took 3 hours. It's pretty cool getting up there in just one day!!!! So I stayed the night and back to the truck the next morning. Excellent!
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]]> Byron http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68361-Shortcut-to-Cliff