Vegan.Hiker
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2014
- Messages
- 2,099
I had been planning a backpacking trip on the Lost Coast Trail in northern CA for the past few months for this summer. However, Mrs. Vegan Hiker informed me last week that she wants to join me. She then started dropping hints that she REALLY wants to see deserts and canyons, so instead of the Lost Coast, I'll be coming back to Utah and I'm pretty damn excited about it.
The only days she can go are June 25-30 so that's when we'll be coming. I just got approval for the days off, so now the real planning can begin. There are LOTS of trip reports on here that I need to re-read.
I haven't really done my homework yet because plans just changed but from what I can gather the first order of business should be to decide which parks we are going to so I can start working on the permit process. The 25th and 30th will be travel days so we will have 4 full days to hike. Since a happy wife makes life easier, I need to take her limits and preferences into consideration. She is interested in seeing the highlights of southern Utah, all that cool stuff we can't see in the northeast. Being in a remote place where other people are unseen does nothing for her and she doesn't mind seeing other people so popular hikes like Angel's Landing would be okay. We are willing to do day hikes, backpack, or any combination, whatever will bring us the most stunning scenery.
So here are my first set of questions:
Since we only have 4 full days for hiking, does Zion and Bryce Canyon make sense? Maybe 2 days in each? What hikes will give us the best bang for the buck considering we've never been to the area and probably won't be able to come back for several years? Are there any non-national parks like San Rafael that we should be considering (although I think that's sort of out of the way to the east right?)
It seems the southern UT region is pretty much equidistant to SLC and Las Vegas airports. Would it be better to fly into SLC and take the scenic Highway 12 down? Is that driving too far out of the way? Will it add too much extra driving?
Am I correct to assume, I'm not too late to the game for the permit process? I heard from a close friend who was in Canyonlands last year that about 3 months out is when it starts to get dicey.
What's the low down on coming that time of the year (late June)?
The forum members here were so helpful when I planned my Uintas trip last summer so I'm real confident you guys will help me plan a killer trip.
The only days she can go are June 25-30 so that's when we'll be coming. I just got approval for the days off, so now the real planning can begin. There are LOTS of trip reports on here that I need to re-read.
I haven't really done my homework yet because plans just changed but from what I can gather the first order of business should be to decide which parks we are going to so I can start working on the permit process. The 25th and 30th will be travel days so we will have 4 full days to hike. Since a happy wife makes life easier, I need to take her limits and preferences into consideration. She is interested in seeing the highlights of southern Utah, all that cool stuff we can't see in the northeast. Being in a remote place where other people are unseen does nothing for her and she doesn't mind seeing other people so popular hikes like Angel's Landing would be okay. We are willing to do day hikes, backpack, or any combination, whatever will bring us the most stunning scenery.
So here are my first set of questions:
Since we only have 4 full days for hiking, does Zion and Bryce Canyon make sense? Maybe 2 days in each? What hikes will give us the best bang for the buck considering we've never been to the area and probably won't be able to come back for several years? Are there any non-national parks like San Rafael that we should be considering (although I think that's sort of out of the way to the east right?)
It seems the southern UT region is pretty much equidistant to SLC and Las Vegas airports. Would it be better to fly into SLC and take the scenic Highway 12 down? Is that driving too far out of the way? Will it add too much extra driving?
Am I correct to assume, I'm not too late to the game for the permit process? I heard from a close friend who was in Canyonlands last year that about 3 months out is when it starts to get dicey.
What's the low down on coming that time of the year (late June)?
The forum members here were so helpful when I planned my Uintas trip last summer so I'm real confident you guys will help me plan a killer trip.
Last edited: