Early November 2012 Possible Trip

I'm waiting from a friend to find out her availability, but am planning a trip out to southern Utah in early November. I think, instead of driving 2000+ miles in 11 days like last time, we want to limit the driving and keep the exploring to a smaller region. I know she'd like to visit CBN/The Wave, and if we do that, I'd like to check out CBSouth, and that area.

We'll likely meet in Vegas, and rent some kind of SUV so we can get to some off the beaten path type places. We didn't get to Zion last time (just drove through as it was 100+ degrees in October 2010 and she was wicked sick), and only saw some of Bryce, so I'd like to do some good hiking in those parks, and though I'm not sure it'd be possible, I'd love to do Coyote Gulch... might have to wait until a different time and hook up with people who have done it, though I know it's not difficult, it's a foreign land for us easterners ;)

Assuming we have 10 days (though I'm trying to get her to take some more time), I'd love help in putting ideas together. Photography and day hiking will be focuses. Dragging camping/backpacking gear out might be tricky, but I'd love to do an overnight or two too...

(last time we drove from Vegas>Page>Monument Valley>Cedar Mesa>Moab>Torrey>Bryce>Zion>Vegas with a ton of stops and it was fun but taxing)

I'd probably pass on the SUV rental especially if the cost would be double or more what you'd expect to pay for a compact. I rent from Dollar and more often than not I get a Dodge Caliber which has a tad more clearance than most passenger cars. You should be able to safely travel the main backroads in SW Utah as long as they are dry. If those roads are muddy, even a SUV will have trouble slip-sliding thru.

First week in November would be a great time to visit the main canyon of Zion. Leaf color will likely be at a peak. In addition to leaf peepers, there will be folks filling the Springdale rooms for the Butch Cassidy race that first weekend.

Lots to do in Zion. Try to visit and hike in the different areas. Tanya Milligan and Bo Beck have a site that details a variety of hikes in and near the park. One of these days they'll have a guidebook out as well. Joe Braun's site also offers well illustrated hikes in the park.

If you go back to the Coyote Buttes area, I would suggest that you then head up the Cottonwood Wash Rd towards Cannonville/Henrieville. Trailheads on this road can take you on superlative hikes to Yellow Rock or Hackberry Canyon.

When you finally arrive at Route 12 you could seek lodging in Escalante and use that as your base while doing some of the fine hikes in the area. If you don't want to try Coyote Gulch, you could still head down Hole in the Rock Rd and tackle Peekaboo and Brimstone.

You might even want to stay a couple days in Vegas. You already know that some casinos offer great rates, but there's also some amazing hikes to be had in the area. Sloan, Keyhole, or Grapevine offer petroglyphs. Bridge, Turtlehead, or Mescalito are peaks of varying difficulty that deliver rewarding summit views.

In lieu of a Vegas stay, consider an equally inexpensive night in Mesquite and combine that with an exploration of the nearby Whitney Pockets area at the end of the paved Gold Butte Rd.

Thanks for innundating me with more ideas, I'm going to have to milk a few more days of vaca out of it!
I think for Zion, we'd like to do one backcountry backpacking trip that would end with a hike up Angel's Landing. I am not sure yet how long we'll have there yet, still have to get the available dates from my travel buddy and go from there. I like the idea of Cottonwood road up to Rt 12 before hitting up Escalante and hopefully Coyote Gulch...

I'd LOVE to visit White Pocket, but that wouldn't be possible without hooking up with someone with the appropriate vehicle/experience:cool2:

Thanks again for responding, I appreciate it!

Don't know if this would be a potential option for you, but Paria Outpost offers tours to White Pocket.

thanks for that suggestion, erial, that might be worth looking into..
I have a feeling we'll save that for another trip though as I think Zion and Coyote Gulch are going to be our main focuses

The title of this thread is now misleading as it looks like we're going to head out there from October 4-15th....

For CBS I think you will need 4WD/High Clearance. If you are planning on being out that way I would also look into wirepass narrows, and several of the hikes mentioned off of Lower Cottonwood Canyon (Yellowrock, Hackberry, maybe even wahweap hoodoos).

From here you have a couple choices

Option 1- Keep going up cottonwood to cannonville (Stop at Kodachrome State Park, Willis Creek Narrows) then on to Escalante (Calf Creek Falls, Spooky and Peekaboo canyons, Willow Gulch and broken bow arch, are day hikes, Coyote Gulch usually at least an overnighter), or Bryce (Cannonville is right smack between the two). I traveled Cottonwood Canyon Road a couple years ago and any vehicle would have made it but I have heard Kane county has stopped taking care of their portion of the road so IDK.

Option 2- Turn around from Lower Cottonwood and head to East Zion. You could stop at Coral Pink Sand dunes along the way. The websites/blogs Eriel mentioned are awesome I know you are a photographer so Joe Brauns site will be very very useful! http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/ if you have questions about any specific hike let me know...I have done most. I really like shelf canyon. For your backcountry backpacking I think west rim trail would be best. Especially if you are willing to cache your backpack because then you could head to angels landing without having to hike back up walters wiggles and the switchbacks another day, but you also need a shuttle. Let me know I might be able to provide one of the shuttles.

Matt, thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I'll be picking your brain along with others, as the time approaches, and thank you for the offer for a shuttle, that would be outstanding :)

Hi there. I just came back from a trip to the WP. This place is truly AWESOME! It was definitely a highlight of our trip. Do not get discouraged by the drive. Rent a Wrangler and you will be fine. We had a 2-door base Wrangler with regular tires (17" wheels) from Fox. Strangely, they encouraged us to take it off-road. This car just floats over the sand. I love this car!! We drove it in D and transfer case in 4Hi the entire time in sand / on rocks.

The key is to choose the right route to WP. Use the southern route both to WP and CBS (I will get you more info if you need to, the rangers will give you a map with the southern route, alternatively, check the maps at www.thewave.info -- a WONDERFUL source of info). The drive was a breeze. We did not have any prior off-road experience but had no problems. There are some sections with deep sand but all you need to do is to keep the speed and you will be fine. I have some videos that we shot from the front seat during our drive. I have the entire sandy part to WP, for example. I could share this one with you if you want to.

We did not deflate the tires but had a pair of sand ladders handy + shovel. I could lend you our sand ladders -- we left them at Aiken's Lodge for our future trips. Let me know.

I am not sure, however, how moisture will change the driving conditions in Novemeber. I can imagine that the sand will be less of a problem in comparison with mud ... Anyone would chip in on this one?

BTW, you can read our RT to the WP here:

http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthre...e-White-Pocket

and our driving experience to CBS via the southern route (similar level of difficulty as to WP IMHO):

http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthre...e-Buttes-South

Jessica

Awesome photos, looks like an amazing place!

I booked my flights for Oct 4-16, still no idea what we are going to do....

There are no wrong choices. Just have fun and enjoy your break from the boring part of the US -- east of Mississippi :)

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Originally Posted by JFstego

There are no wrong choices. Just have fun and enjoy your break from the boring part of the US -- east of Mississippi :)

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As in love with the southwest as I am, and as much as I can't wait to get back there, it's not THAT boring here :)
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So, flights are booked, I am flying out Oct 4 and back Oct 16. My friend is flying out the 5th-15th

We are waiting to see if/when we get Coyote Buttes North permits for a day that week before we do any serious planning. I think we're going to stick to mostly day hiking in the Zion/Bryce/Page/Escalante part of the region. I'll be looking for good day hikes to do, especially off the beaten path.



I'm also wondering how best to spend my solo day and a half when i arrive in Vegas (early afternoon Thursday, Oct 4 before picking up my friend at the airport the night of Friday Oct 5). I'm thinking about camping up at Valley of Fire and doing some more exploration (I've visited a couple of times for a few hours, but there's a lot more to see, I reckon). But if there are any other suggestions on what to do not TOO far from Vegas, I'd be open to suggestion.


Also, after dropping my friend off at the airport Monday Oct 15 around 1PM, I have about a day (should be back at the airport by 11AM Tues Oct 16 to fly home), so, again, suggestions for what to see around then would be great!

Check out Orleans Casino rates. Probably can get a room for $29.

Consider visiting Sloan Canyon or Keyhole for the petroglyphs. Either would be a half day visit, but likely hot in the afternoon. Hiking/Climbing up Turtlehead or perhaps something spicier like Mescalito over in Red Rocks in the a.m. would be a good start to your trip.

You could always head up to the Spring Mtns where it would be cooler. Even a short hike to something like MaryJane Falls might be something to consider.

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Originally Posted by erial

Check out Orleans Casino rates. Probably can get a room for $29.

Consider visiting Sloan Canyon or Keyhole for the petroglyphs. Either would be a half day visit, but likely hot in the afternoon. Hiking/Climbing up Turtlehead or perhaps something spicier like Mescalito over in Red Rocks in the a.m. would be a good start to your trip.

You could always head up to the Spring Mtns where it would be cooler. Even a short hike to something like MaryJane Falls might be something to consider.

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THanks for the suggestions, I'll take a peek!

How far is not too far? It is about 120 miles to Furnace Creek in Death Valley. There is the Gold Butte area out near Mesquite, part Valley of Fire turnoff. Sloan Canyon is a nice hike but the road is slow going. Red Rock Canyon Conservation area has a lot of good hikes, but I wouldn't be going up Turtlehead peak by yourself IMO. The weather will be in the mid 80's in October, Valley of Fire is generally a bit warmer and I only know of about 6 hikes out there. A good free source of info for Southern Nevada and areas around here (but not Valley of Fire) is http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/_Hike_index.htm. Also I am generally off on Thursday/Fridays if you want to meet up.