Canyonlands '05

“Hey all...

I'm heading to Canyonlands in May, joining a group with a predetermined plan. I've never been there and have always wanted to go. The plan is to visit "Island in the Sky" district. I've read numerous posts and articles and it seems that there's really not a tremendous amount of hiking available in this area.

Would I be better off going alone and seeing better regions of the park?

For those who have been here, what are your suggestions. I'm an avid hiker with 12-15 mile days possible.

Thanks
Rob”

“To answer your question: yes.

Lots of places to hike in the Needles section.”

“Hello Robertr

I never went into Canyonlands, but went to Arches NP. Have you been or done any hiking in the Escalante area? I know that would be south west of where you will be at. If you are going through Escalante, I would for sure do some hikes there! The canyons off of the Escalante River are so beautiful! Also Capitol Reef is very beautiful & Zion.
Michael Kelsey has a book out called hiking, biking & exploring Canyonlands NP you may want to get that..it may give you some ideas on where to hike there.
Also I would do a google search on hiking Canyonlands trip reports something like that..something may turn up. Have a wonderful time when you go in May!
here is the link to that book
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0944510086/qid=1110733145/sr=1-28/ref=sr_1_28/103-9480571-0421452?v=glance&s=books”

“I think we are doing a last minute trip there this week. It looks like the best area for hiking is The Needles. Also, it seems The Needles area has water sources while the The Maze and The Islands in the Sky areas do not. Anybody ever been there????”

“Yes”

“I have got to get out west. Looks so amazing.”

“I've done a 3 day trip in Needles in March. We found water,though not sure of availability in May. I suspect in May the water in Needles and Maze will be scant, in Island in Sky even less so. 12 miles a day in Canyonlands is ambitious. May will be somewhat hot. Kelsey's book is the bible for canyons on Colorado Plateau, both about hiking and technical slots. The Maze is a long way off hardtop.Consider Dark Canyon. Read some Edward Abbey before you go.”

“I in the Sky is a mesa/table top so its like an island in the sky-get it?You can walk or hike along the edges.Let me tell you the views blow the grand canyon away.There are no crowds,the weather is mild not scorching hot...I in the sky is more suited to a relaxed jaunt.I tell ya Island is spectacular-the overlooks are insane and mesmerizing.You can go down into the basin with all the buttes via a road from the park(shaefer trail) or from mmoab but it is very dry and i would think would make a better mtn bike adventure than hiking.The road that runs in that basinis called White Rim Road and it goes around the island(60 miles or so?).Of course water is lo in utah from June on and is not plentiful in MAy.I think for utah most overnight hiking trips need to be based close to actual rivers.I have been to the maze and i beleive there is 0 water sources there.I havent been to needles but it seems to be very exposed with little water sources.”

“i haven't been to that part of the park but i know that by may it will be getting hot. still it's raining in the area now and water shouldn't be as big a problem as the past few years. tons of stuff to see, have fun.”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/zcke419w6upwlu.php

Island in the Sky vista above



http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/bm4693w.php

Angel Arch in the Needles section


http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/4xlyn2wyw3n.php

The Needles area


http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/8ma9m78n8.php

Druid Arch in the Needles section


http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/i7z42kiw3a.php

Sunrise at Deadhorse Point, not too far from Island in the Sky
last edited: 3/14/05 10:52:09 PM”

“Thanks for the images.

We'll be there tomorrow!”

“we're there in early june !!”

“Rob, How are you??? Have you been out hiking a lot? I loved the Canyonlands! We did several days of dayhiking instead of backpacking. It was awesome! We went in late April and the desert flowers were still beautiful. The picture that USA has of Druid Arch does not do it justice! I'll dig up some pictures of it. It's much bigger than what it looks like in the picture. We threw our packs down and took naps underneath the arch... Truly amazing.... Tax season is almost over, and I'm ready for some more hiking! How about putting together a hike?”

“


That's true, the picture doesn't do it justice, but that format isn't so great either. Maybe this is better.”

“

The flip side of Druid Arch. It's about the height of a 13 story building. What looks like a boulder wedged in the arch is about the size of a house.
last edited: 3/16/05 12:02:42 AM”

“Well we are back! What an awesome place! We spent 3 days in the Island in the Sky area and 2 days in the needles area. We actually stayed at Dead Horse Point State Park when we are the Island in the Sky region. We did a 11 mile hike in The Needles which was awesome! Here's our pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/299258725VEZmYs”

“fantastic pics”

“Nice photos. Where do backpackers get water?”

“I would have to say they pack it in. Maybe even cache it.”

“The best bet is to do short trips, one nighters and then come back for more water.”

“Thanls sooo much for posting the photo's, im going to enjoy them very much with my Sunday Peets !!!!!”

“Here ya go...just look closer next time.

What would you like to know?”

“Awesome. We're blessed with such diverse geography here in the US aren't we?”

“Great pics! I downloaded just about all of them! Beautiful! Can I really wait 5-7 years to move out there? I don't think so, not after your pictures! The sunrise picture was great and I especially loved the joint trail and Chesler Park pictures with hikers in them to show just how huge the landscape features are. Thank you.

Can we have a trip report? I would really like to read about your trip.”

“OK... I'll try to put a trip report together sometime this week with my wife. She's a better writer than me.

Thanks for the words about my pictures. I appreciate it. They still don't do the place justice. Its really hard to get everthing in on one picture.

We just moved out here in November to an area north of Denver. We love it because Rocky Mtn is 40 mins from us but we still can drive to other places in reasonable times. The whole trip this past week was spur of the moment!”

“Thanks for sharing. Now I know I need to go.”

“I thought this thread was about the tent! LOL! (Which btw REI isn't carrying anymore.)

I'd love to go to Canyonlands sometime. So pretty”

“Great pictures USA and Adventurist! Looking foward to the trip report.

USA those pictures definitely showed the beauty of Druid Arch! It was such a treat to climb up that rock and be overwhelmed with it! I HAVE to go back!
last edited: 3/22/05 10:22:49 AM”

“I appreciate all the comments regarding Canyonlands and surrounding areas. After further research and your comments, I've postponed my trip til June and am going to go with a good friend - setting up our own week itenerary. Going with a group with plans to stay only in Islands in the Sky seems ridiculous. We're going to hike east of Salt Lake City for a day or so, Canyonland and Arches for about 4 days, and Moab for a day.

LakyHiker... I'm great. Good to hear from you again. You'll have to contact me with your cell number so we can get in touch and get out on the trails again. my e-mail is rob_ritchey@yahoo.com I'm reserving the month of May for hiking every weekend - wanna plan something midway between us?

Rob”

“Hi Rob! Sounds great! I'll check out what's going on in May and email you! Canyonlands might be a little hot in June? We had 100 degree weather at the end of April.”

“You wouldn't get me into Canyonlands for a hiking/backpacking trip in the month of June for all the money in Texas. I spent 3 days in Escalante/Grand Staircase area at the end of May one time, and thought I was going to die before I got back to my air conditioned truck.
last edited: 3/28/05 6:35:45 AM”

“Ugh! Eventually I will get around to our Trip Report!

Adventurist”

“Feeney? I thought Feeney fell off a cliff or got eaten by a bear? No way would the Feeney I know spend so little time here...

How'zitgoin'?”

“Its going good Nigal.

Funny thing is Feeney=Adventurist.

Just enjoying the beautiful West!”

“Thanks for the advice. Given the temp concerns in June, we've changed our plans to the first week of May. Perhaps the weather will be more accomodating and comfortable.

Ladyhiker - we're planning a trip to the Lost Coast (North Cal) the second weekend in May. Interested?

Rob”

“robertr, i did a 3 dayer in se utah in april of last year and it was almost too hot to be carrying a pack around. day hiking will be hot in may so be sure to take LOTS of water. i was at a higher alttidude than canyonlands aswell
last edited: 3/30/05 2:31:38 PM”

“Hmmm..I guess I forgot to post that trip report!”

“Well? Let's have it! And don't forget the pictures...”

“Oh, I posted the pictures 2 years ago. I just forgot all about the trip report.

Here's the trip report in a nutshell.

It was warm. It was great. I highly recommend it.

The End.”