Day Hikes between Vegas and Escalante?

[jdgibney]

So, we're set on our dates for our return to the southwest. Unfortunately, I booked my trip for an extra day on either side of my friend's flights, but that's neither here nor there...
I'll be arriving Thursday afternoon October 4th, and departing Tuesday afternoon, October 16 (my friend is arriving late Friday October 5 and departing Monday afternoon, October 15).

We are hoping to get Coyote Buttes North permits so she can see the wave as she was unable to join me on my trip in 2011. Obviously specifics will wait until we find out if/when...

I'm planning on driving to St. George after picking her up Friday night and then spending the next couple of days in Zion since we missed out our last long trip out there... Any recommendations on must do day hikes in Zion? (we have absolutely no canyoneering experience)

What are some other must-see places, especially for photography?

I'd potentially like to check out Wahweap Hoodoos, Zebra Slot and Willis Creek, not sure if they're 'must-see' but they've intrigued me for quite some time now...

I also have to fill some time around Vegas before my friend arrives and after she leaves...

 

[Jammer]

Not sure if this will impact your plans at all, but just an FYI... The St. George Marathon is that Saturday (10/6) so the SG area is going to be busy that weekend!

I will be in Zion that weekend, though I don't know my exact plan yet. All the places you mention are good. I'd add Yellow Rock as personal favorite that's a fairly short hike in that general area.

- Jamal

 

[jdgibney]

Thanks Jamal, I remember seeing some awesome photos, possibly from Philip? recently from there.. Thanks for the heads up on the marathon, definitely will keep it in mind while planning. Maybe I'll save Zion for the back end of the trip....

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Must do dayhikes in Zion
-Narrows
-Angels Landing or Observation Point
-Weeping Rock
-Emerald Pools (if you beat everyone to upper emerald pools and there isnt any wind this place has the most amazing reflection!)

Unfortunately these are the same hikes I sent hundreds of people to on a daily basis So dont plan on solitude although mid october the place starts to calm down a bit!!

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

 

[Bill]

-Emerald Pools

Sorry to be such a Negative Nancy but the Emerald pools has to be the most boring, pointless, and over rated hike in Utah. Unless its flash flooding I wouldnt ever considering doing it again.

My suggestions...

Wave Area
If your going to the Wave make sure you brave the sand traps and check out White Pocket. The Rimrock Hoodos are cool and the best set is west of the main trailhead. I can post the cords to get there if you want them.

West Escalante
Are you planning on driving the cottonwood canyon road into Escalante from 89? Every time I go down there its closed but I've WANTED to hike yellow rock and the cottonwood canyon narrows.

Willis Creek is nice but with the low flow right now I'm sure it will be dry by this fall. Round valley draw has some great narrow just be prepared for the 12' downclimb. Kodachome is a nice place to camp if you like campgrounds with showers.

East Escalante
Broken Bow Arch / Williow Gulch is awesome.
Zebra Canyon is great but there's no shade at all on the long sandy approach.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

I agree emerald pools isn't too special ( I do like the upper one as mentioned) but many consider it a must see in Zion for better or worse!

 

[Yvonne]

I agree to the mentioned hikes despite Emerald Pools. Hidden Canyon is also a nice short hike, especially when heading all the way to the Arch.
Or just do something in East Zion, there are also lots of interesting hikes besides Canyon Overlook.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Ok I have thought about E.POOLS and I changed my mind I absolutely love that hike and consider it a must see!!

Let me explain #1- I have a long history with this hike, one of the first memories I have of Zion involved hiking to E. Pools with my now deceased father. So maybe I am a little mushy and sentimental for that reason #2- Being raised in the desert and not used to having water, anytime I see a desert pool, waterfall, etc I get a chill. For anyone used to more water and real waterfalls perhaps the trickle us desert dwellers call a waterfall will be a let down!
#3- Really the awesomness of this hike is largely determined by the time of the year and crowds on the trail. If I had to hike it in the 105 degree heat that will hit Zion tomorrow with crowds and crowds of people I would pass any day of the week, but in the fall when the leaves are changing there isnt a much better hike in the park for fall foliage or early morning before anyone else is at the reflecting pools I dont know a more sublime place!

For me it is a must see for others probably not!!

PS I am going to be trapped on the riverside walk for tomorrow in the 105 degrees showing a coyote pelt for anyone who wants to come see me!! I will be the ranger sweating to death trying to hide in any shade I can find!!!!

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

I agree to the mentioned hikes despite Emerald Pools. Hidden Canyon is also a nice short hike, especially when heading all the way to the Arch.
Or just do something in East Zion, there are also lots of interesting hikes besides Canyon Overlook.

Love the east side! for a slot canyon that really doesnt involve any technical skill hike into shelf canyon http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/shelfcanyon.cfm

 

[FourisTheNewOne]

I thik some of us may have missed the "something to do around vegas while I wait" - this is a recommendation I can stand behind. http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/LAME/Goldstrike/_Goldstrike.htm. Annie and I did this hike before flying out to Mexico - lost that memory card somewhere - but LOVED it. Good hike, 45 minutes or so out of vegas.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

I thik some of us may have missed the "something to do around vegas while I wait" - this is a recommendation I can stand behind. http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/LAME/Goldstrike/_Goldstrike.htm. Annie and I did this hike before flying out to Mexico - lost that memory card somewhere - but LOVED it. Good hike, 45 minutes or so out of vegas.

He also asked about must do in Zion and some other must sees especially for photography

 

[FourisTheNewOne]

He also asked about must do in Zion and some other must sees especially for photography

whoops - sorry if I came off rude - didn't mean to. I just have had this recommendation in my head for the past few days, and haven't had a change to make it till now. All the above recommendations I'd agree with - except for shelf canyon - cause I haven't been there, and would love to go.

Was going to make a final statement - that post I linked to mentions the lower canyon and robe assist down climbs. none of those spots seemed hard to get in or out of when we did it in '09.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Totally didn't come of rude!

 

[Nick]

Raaaaaawwwrrr!!!

 

[FourisTheNewOne]

damnit. someone argue with me!

 

[blueeyes]

My two cents on E. Pools. You just need to be there the right time of year for the right conditions and it is simply stunning! One of my all time favorite hikes was in the snow and the falls were frozen.

http://amiechere.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-dusted-zion.html

 

[HomerJ]

My two cents on E. Pools. You just need to be there the right time of year for the right conditions and it is simply stunning! One of my all time favorite hikes was in the snow and the falls were frozen.

http://amiechere.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-dusted-zion.html

That shot of the ram in the snow if cool!

 

[jdgibney]

Must do dayhikes in Zion
-Narrows
-Angels Landing or Observation Point
-Weeping Rock
-Emerald Pools (if you beat everyone to upper emerald pools and there isnt any wind this place has the most amazing reflection!)

Unfortunately these are the same hikes I sent hundreds of people to on a daily basis So dont plan on solitude although mid october the place starts to calm down a bit!!

I definitely want to do Angels Landing and at least the first part of the Narrows. Observation Point sounds good too. I wish we had more time to spend out there, though I know I will return, probably at some point in 2013...

Sorry to be such a Negative Nancy but the Emerald pools has to be the most boring, pointless, and over rated hike in Utah. Unless its flash flooding I wouldnt ever considering doing it again.

My suggestions...

Wave Area
If your going to the Wave make sure you brave the sand traps and check out White Pocket. The Rimrock Hoodos are cool and the best set is west of the main trailhead. I can post the cords to get there if you want them.

West Escalante
Are you planning on driving the cottonwood canyon road into Escalante from 89? Every time I go down there its closed but I've WANTED to hike yellow rock and the cottonwood canyon narrows.

Willis Creek is nice but with the low flow right now I'm sure it will be dry by this fall. Round valley draw has some great narrow just be prepared for the 12' downclimb. Kodachome is a nice place to camp if you like campgrounds with showers.

East Escalante
Broken Bow Arch / Williow Gulch is awesome.
Zebra Canyon is great but there's no shade at all on the long sandy approach.

Bill, I'd love to check out White Pocket. I don't have any experience driving in anything like that, which would be the biggest obstacle... I had forgotten about the rimrock hoodoos, we were going to check those out last year when we visited the Wave, but ran out of daylight..

I can't find anything that suggests the Cottonwood Canyon road is open, which I'm assuming would affect visiting Yellow Rock?

Thanks for all of those suggestions...

I thik some of us may have missed the "something to do around vegas while I wait" - this is a recommendation I can stand behind. http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/LAME/Goldstrike/_Goldstrike.htm. Annie and I did this hike before flying out to Mexico - lost that memory card somewhere - but LOVED it. Good hike, 45 minutes or so out of vegas.

That looks pretty interesting, I'll definitely look into that, thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks everyone for chiming in... looking forward to putting together the trip.

Has anyone here driven out to and camped out at Alstrom Point? I was thinking about doing that, but I'm not sure if the drive would be possible in a rental car (not sure what we'll end up with, usually we get a smaller SUV with AWD, but I haven't gotten anything with legit 4WD and/or higher clearance before...)

 

[jdgibney]

The calendar I am working with is:
--------
Thurs, Oct 4 - Arrive in Vegas at 1:30p
Fri, Oct 5 - Karen Arrives in Vegas at 10:40p (yuk)
Sat, Oct 6 -
Sun, Oct 7 -
Mon, Oct 8 -
Tues, Oct 9 -
Weds, Oct 10 -
Thurs, Oct 11 -
Fri, Oct 12 -
Sat, Oct 13 -
Sun, Oct 14 -
Mon, Oct 15 - Drop off Karen at McCarran by 1:00p
Tues, Oct 16 - Get to Airport to fly home by 11:00a
----------
As mentioned, more specifics can be filled in once we know if/when we get Coyote Buttes north permits.
I'd like to squeeze as much into it without overdoing it, and allowing for some rest time, as well as not driving as much as we did during our previous visit of similar length when we put about 2300 miles on the rental and did a big loop...

It'd be great to meet up with anyone who would be available during these times and up for some relaxed day hiking/photographication!