|
Post by hikinggods on May 20, 2019 19:18:38 GMT -8
Another vote for Cedar Mesa, in fact, I'll be there this weekend. If you show up at the Kane Gulch Ranger station when they open you shouldn't have any problem getting an overnight permit somewhere good. LOTS of good options. You can also reserve a permit online through Recreation.gov.
|
|
|
Post by Chuck the Mauler on May 21, 2019 3:53:01 GMT -8
The trip down Meander Canyon is 55 miles ending at the Spanish Bottom below the Doll House in the Maze. But you don't have to go that far...that's the beauty of it. You can go and stop anywhere and as often as you want. Tex's Riverways will pick you up for the return trip wherever you are on their jet boat. When I did it, it was the most effective way for us to get to and backpack in the Maze. I was pleasantly surprised how awesome the river portion of the trip was and hope to do it again! Not to mention we could take real food and a cooler with us. You could check out a few minutes of this video for a sneak peak. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTsbgi4_NhA&t=1099s
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,711
|
Post by rebeccad on May 21, 2019 7:46:56 GMT -8
Chuck the Mauler, I get it now! Jet boats were our friends in New Zealand . Do they do river kayaks? There are 3 of us, and I think a kayak is a lot easier to handle solo than a canoe is. (Okay, you don’t have to answer that. I will stop being lazy and check their web site :D).
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,711
|
Post by rebeccad on May 21, 2019 7:48:00 GMT -8
I’m liking the sound of this. I loved our one hike into the Needles, 23 years ago, but I like even better the sound of someplace where there aren’t many people. (this was supposed to be in response to hikinggods ‘s comment)
|
|
|
Post by Chuck the Mauler on May 21, 2019 11:56:26 GMT -8
They sure do. But you'll have to leave the cooler at home
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,895
|
Post by zeke on May 21, 2019 14:26:27 GMT -8
I would think since there are 3 of them, she is talking about 1 kayak and 1 tandem canoe. Still room for the cooler.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,711
|
Post by rebeccad on May 21, 2019 16:44:18 GMT -8
Looks like the Weatherman (a.k.a. my husband) is determined to get into the Needles, so we will do a long dayhike, followed by a one-night backpack elsewhere. If you have any favorites for easy-permit one-night trips with accessible trailheads (accessible for that overloaded Prius), I’m open to suggestions.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
Member is Online
|
Post by BigLoad on May 21, 2019 19:58:24 GMT -8
From Hwy 163 west of bluff, turn north onto FR 262 (through a closed gate, rental car suitable) follow Butler Wash. Hike up every side canyon to the west (into Comb Ridge) where you see a turnoff from the road. I can narrow it down a bit if you want.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,711
|
Post by rebeccad on May 22, 2019 7:35:08 GMT -8
From Hwy 163 west of bluff, turn north onto FR 262 (through a closed gate, rental car suitable) follow Butler Wash. Hike up every side canyon to the west (into Comb Ridge) where you see a turnoff from the road. I can narrow it down a bit if you want. Feel free to narrow it down! “Every canyon” might be a challenge; I’m assuming you mean “any canyon.” Does it matter which, or do they all equally lead onto the ridge?
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
Member is Online
|
Post by BigLoad on May 22, 2019 8:33:17 GMT -8
Any canyon that has a turnoff from the road on the ridge side has a ruin.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
Member is Online
|
Post by BigLoad on May 22, 2019 8:33:37 GMT -8
NM
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
Member is Online
|
Post by BigLoad on May 22, 2019 8:33:52 GMT -8
NM
|
|
|
Post by absarokanaut on May 22, 2019 9:20:33 GMT -8
Comb Ridge and Butler Wash ares AWESOME! The story of Mormons lowering loaded Wagons over the ridge 140 years ago is amazing.
If you can only do one dayhike in the Needles District I'd do Druid Arch. If you've done that I'd really try for Natural Bridges. I've hiked the bottom of that canyon at least a half dozen times and given the opportunity would go back in a heartbeat.
Edit: I've usually found the long dirt road along the base of the ridge to be pretty darn good.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jun 1, 2019 7:52:21 GMT -8
We just returned from a three-day trip in the Needles. It was fantastic, with unseasonably cool weather, which was lovely.
Thanks for all those who offered advise and info. I’ll post a TR with pics soon. Life is a little crazy here right now—we are evacuated from our house due to flood water. (Our house is fine, but we and our four neighbors are on a pumped sewer system which had to be shut down because the water reached the electrical control panel of the pumping station.)
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jun 3, 2019 5:24:36 GMT -8
|
|