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Post by cweston on Feb 14, 2019 13:46:55 GMT -8
As some of you are aware, my wife recently surprised me be saying she'd be interested in a short BP trip with me.
I'm looking at the Moab area in May.
It looks to me like one of the backcountry campsites in the Elephant Canyon area of Canyonlands NP (Needles District) could make a nice one- or two-night basecamp with multiple places to dayhike to, but the obvious challenge is water.
Maps show some springs in that canyon. The NPS website mentions that groundwater is sometimes available in Elephant Canyon. Anyone have any experience in the area? Can you address the likelihood of finding water? It would certainly make a huge difference, especially if one wanted to basecamp two nights--you'd have to carry a huge amount of water if no ground water is available.
If we basecamped, we probably wouldn't be more than 5-6 miles from the car, so I could always make a water run to the car if need be.
Thanks: I'm a newbie when it comes to BPing in this kind of terrain.
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Post by cweston on Feb 14, 2019 15:22:45 GMT -8
Follow up: permits were going fast, so I went ahead and grabbed two nights at EC3 in Elephant Canyon (about 2 miles from Druid Arch). Still interested in thoughts about water, though.
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Post by hikerjer on Feb 14, 2019 21:00:12 GMT -8
Druid Arch is definitely worth the walk. A walk over to Chesler Park is worth it as well. You're hiking in a fantastic area and I'm sure won't be disappointed. My son and I did it a couple of years ago and camped one night at EC3. Water was no problem. That was in October though and I don't know how spring will be. Likely you'll not have a problem. Bring a filter and some dromedary bags and you should be fine. The rangers are pretty up on where you'll find water sources so check with them when you register. But you already knew that, I reckon.
Have a great hike. Could be warm down there in May.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Feb 17, 2019 19:30:06 GMT -8
Nat Geo Trails Illustrated #311 Needles shows a spring just over halfway from EC3 to Druid Arch. I think you may have mentioned it. If it has rained recently, there will be lots of pothole water, which is the primary water source for wildlife. Have been to Druid Arch but cannot recollect water source. Common strategy, we employ in Canyonlands is to minimize water needed for meals. Meals should be planned to minimize water. Water priority is drinking. No brushing teeth, swoosh water around and gulp it down. Often we would have a no cook day. When we prepare a meal requiring water, it's just dinner and hot drinks. Boiling only, never cooking. Here are two of our low water favorites. Require no cooking and half-cup of water to prepare. - Mountain House Granola w/Milk & Blueberries - Lot of calories
- Packit Gourmet Cajun Ranch Chicken Salad - Fill a tortilla
Super hydrate pre-hike and at every natural water source if available. It's pretty easy going trail, maybe just carry an extra gallon going in.  Good Luck and best wishes for a memorable hike! |
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Post by absarokanaut on Feb 18, 2019 7:41:37 GMT -8
Last time I hiked Druid Arch was in mid April about ten years ago. There were a few deep pools a few miles in but to get water I'd have a little bucket on a rope. 25' or so on the rope, knarly getting down to those pools.
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Post by cweston on Feb 18, 2019 8:43:12 GMT -8
Last time I hiked Druid Arch was in mid April about ten years ago. There were a few deep pools a few miles in but to get water I'd have a little bucket on a rope. 25' or so on the rope, knarly getting down to those pools. Thanks, that's useful info. |
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Post by cweston on Feb 18, 2019 9:24:50 GMT -8
Nat Geo Trails Illustrated #311 Needles shows a spring just over halfway from EC3 to Druid Arch. I think you may have mentioned it. Thanks. Yes, that is one of two springs (circled in red) on the map near that area:  |
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Post by cweston on Feb 18, 2019 10:11:48 GMT -8
FWIW, the ranger I contacted said it's been a good water year so far and there's a pretty good chance those springs will be flowing in May.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Feb 19, 2019 11:40:56 GMT -8
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Post by bstark on Feb 22, 2019 20:51:24 GMT -8
Dayhiked to Druid Arch in March(I believe) of 2017. Several good pools in the area of the spring marked between EC3 and Druid Arch. I recall there being some water fairly easily accessible from the trail, but don't take that recollection to seriously. As has been said, getting to some of the pools would be a challenge.
Druid Arch is great though, and I'd love to make it to Chesler Park someday. Don't think you'll get bored there, so much opportunity for hikes in the Needles.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 19, 2019 21:14:18 GMT -8
Hey, desert folks: any suggestions in the general area around Canyonlands for people who are more spontaneous and didn’t get permits months in advance. We have a couple of nights to spend in the area, but of course can’t do the obvious hikes into Chesler Park/Druid Arch. Nor do we have 4WD or even high clearance (think overloaded Prius; we’re on our way back to CA with our newly-minted college grad). Any areas you’ve been to and like? Or places outside the park? Feel free to PM me if you don’t want to share in public  |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on May 19, 2019 21:24:41 GMT -8
Hey, desert folks: any suggestions in the general area around Canyonlands for people who are more spontaneous and didn’t get permits months in advance. If you're willing to go a bit more east, there are plenty of permit-free or drop-it-in-the-slot permit options on Cedar Mesa, Butler Wash, and neighboring canyons. |
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on May 20, 2019 3:52:22 GMT -8
How about a float trip. From Potash you can float the Colorado river down Meander Canyon and camp / hike wherever you want. Rent 2 canoes from Tex's Riverways in Moab (and a T-Cat to keep them together) and head out. They'll pick you up and bring you back at the end of your trip a few days later. I used this method to get to the Maze in Canyonlands NP years ago. Super fun.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 20, 2019 5:35:03 GMT -8
Good suggestions, both. I do wonder if we could set up the boat trip on such short notice, either, but it might be worth asking. Can the trip be done with 2 nights? After that we really do have to get back on the road (dentist appointments!). BigLoad , we aren’t stuck on the Needles (um, oops. Pun not intended, but there it is anyway). Just needed some ideas like yours to tell us where to look. ETA: When we hiked into the Needles in 1995, this just wasn’t an issue |
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Post by absarokanaut on May 20, 2019 12:28:24 GMT -8
Not a backpack but car camping at Natural Bridges National Monument is a favorite of mine. Hike the loop under all 3 bridges including the 4th largest arch in the world. Personally I really liked this area better than Arches National Park.
Big Loads suggestions are awesome. Chucks is too but if they're getting anything like the thunderstorms we've been up here I'd be leery. Major spring precipitation this year.
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