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Post by cweston on Nov 1, 2020 5:14:38 GMT -8
I'd really like to do some more trips in southern UT over the next few years. I find myself in kindof an odd niche: I have very little specific experience in canyon hiking, but am a very experienced BPer otherwise, who enjoys off-trail trips with (at least some) solitude and a fairly high "adventure" factor.
I see some interesting canyoneering guide books, but these may assume some technical skills not (yet) in my arsenal.
If anyone has any guidebooks or other resources to recommend--or specific trips--that would be appreciated.
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Post by burntfoot on Nov 1, 2020 10:02:03 GMT -8
Several good ones, but avoid any by Kelsey. His time estimates are way off, and almost all trips are much more strenuous than he lets on. See Backpacker magazine's article from several years ago called "The Devil Wore Tennis Shoes."
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Nov 2, 2020 17:41:30 GMT -8
Todd Martin is a good canyoneering resource. He does a lot of technical canyoneering but also a lot of hiking and non-technical canyoneering write-ups. But, like Kelsey, I had my doubts about him being human until I saw him. Still, I reference his website often. His "Grand Canyoneering" book is fun to read. Website: www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Hikes.htmTanya Milligan and Bo Beck have a good website and a book. They used to be regular posters on a Zion hikers Yahoo group. Both their website and book cover a lot more than Zion. Book is "Favorite Hikes in and Around Zion National Park" Website: www.zionnational-park.com/hiking-zion-national-park.htmI have Kelsey's "Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau". I think his books are really difficult to navigate. You need a decent grasp of what you're looking for before you can find it... I think it's a good resource for those who have done all of the obvious/well-known canyons and want to find that obscure unknown slot.
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swiftdream
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the Great Southwest Unbound
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Post by swiftdream on Nov 4, 2020 10:42:01 GMT -8
Interesting observations on Kelsey, Burntfoot and Jazzmom. Girlfriend and I have about 500 nights in southern Utah canyon country and we fully agree with your views on his books. While I did find a bit of beginning inspiration from his books, his descriptions at times are either off or confusing and his opinions at times are wonky. We dislike following another’s boot prints anyway.
Off trail in that area is both extremely difficult in regards to navigation and danger no matter how competent one is and is extremely rewarding. It is one of the finest places filled with thrilling challenges and amazing “finds” on many levels that we have experienced in the southwest.
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Post by hikinggods on Nov 4, 2020 19:08:42 GMT -8
You can't talk Utah Canyons without mentioning Steve Allen. I have Canyoneering: The San Rafael Swell and Canyoneering 3: non-technical loop hikes in the Escalante. The second I have used MANY times. His approach is the opposite of Kelsey's. He is meticulous in his descriptions, is realistic about times, and cautious in rating difficulty. HIGHLY recommended! He is also a skilled and articulate writer.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Nov 9, 2020 15:33:42 GMT -8
Among my favorite treks in Utah were Chesler Park with a side trip to Druid Arch in Canyonlands, and Coyote Gulch in Grand Staircase.
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Post by burntfoot on Nov 9, 2020 18:57:22 GMT -8
I loved Coyote Gulch. Also the Dry Fork Coyote with those slot canyons - Peekaboo, Spooky and Brimstone.
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Post by cweston on Nov 10, 2020 5:41:03 GMT -8
Thanks for all of the suggestions, folks. driftwoody, I did Chesler Park & Druid Arch a couple years ago. Fantastic, although NP BPing is just not my thing, solitude-wise. But the scenery far exceeded my expectations.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Nov 11, 2020 10:14:55 GMT -8
I did one backpacking trip in the area. That said, you must see The Wave (Coyote Buttes, in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness).
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null
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Post by null on Nov 11, 2020 13:11:12 GMT -8
Note: You must have a reservation for the Wave and they're hard to get
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Nov 11, 2020 13:21:59 GMT -8
Note: You must have a reservation for the Wave and they're hard to get Note to your note: They aren't hard to get during a record cold snap. :D I literally had the whole Vermillion/Escalante area to myself. I didn't see another soul for an entire week.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Dec 1, 2020 9:51:02 GMT -8
Just got rejected for a Wave permit again this morning...have been applying for over 5 years.
Don't pass up the South Coyote Butte area, or White Pocket.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 1, 2020 10:59:44 GMT -8
Just got rejected for a Wave permit again this morning...have been applying for over 5 years. You also have a chance showing up in person to nab a spot that may have been cancelled, but that's a lot of driving for a small chance. I considered trying that my first trip to Utah in 2012, but every day on a weeklong vacation is too precious to waste. So many other wondrous sights and places to hike in southern Utah. I've been three times and still barely scratched the surface.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Dec 1, 2020 15:23:11 GMT -8
driftwoody I've been there in person. It was very crowded but I'll bet chances were still better than the online lottery. Like you mentioned, we were too busy to waste time with that.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 2, 2020 11:04:47 GMT -8
Thanks for all of the suggestions, folks. driftwoody , I did Chesler Park & Druid Arch a couple years ago. Fantastic, although NP BPing is just not my thing, solitude-wise. But the scenery far exceeded my expectations. I appreciated that the designated sites in Chesler Park and environs meant that we actually didn’t see other campers, except briefly from a distance. We had a fairly late start going out, so mostly didn’t encounter day-hikers the first day, though there were plenty on the way out. I chafe at the limits that make it hard to get what you want, permit-wise, but really appreciate what those limits do to preserve a decent experience. And we *were* able to get a last-minute permit by leveraging bad weather.
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