Hello, I'm coming from Oregon the first week in October, planning to visit the GSENM area for dayhikes and one overnight backpacking trip. I've put together a tentative itinerary, but I'm hoping to get feedback from folks on this site, specifically about trail conditions and likelihood of needing to route-find. I'm not new to hiking or backpacking, but have minimal experience with desert and canyon trips, so want to keep the majority of my hiking time on easy-to-find trails.
Here's what I'm thinking:
Day 1: Day hike Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, & Brimstone
Day 2: Day hike Zebra & Tunnel slots
Day 3-4: Overnight in Coyote Gulch (either starting at the Jacob Hamblin Arch, heading east along the canyon, and exiting near The Crack OR going in via Fortymile Ridge TH entering near the Crack, heading west along the canyon, then out at JHA)
Day 5: Day hike Antelope Canyon
Day 6: Day hike The Wave (if I can get a permit)
The one that worries me is the overnight in Coyote Gulch. What are the trails like to and from the canyon? Easy to follow? Or a fair amount of navigation skill needed? Any alternate overnight suggestions in the area that require little navigation?
Thanks in advance!
Here's what I'm thinking:
Day 1: Day hike Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, & Brimstone
Day 2: Day hike Zebra & Tunnel slots
Day 3-4: Overnight in Coyote Gulch (either starting at the Jacob Hamblin Arch, heading east along the canyon, and exiting near The Crack OR going in via Fortymile Ridge TH entering near the Crack, heading west along the canyon, then out at JHA)
Day 5: Day hike Antelope Canyon
Day 6: Day hike The Wave (if I can get a permit)
The one that worries me is the overnight in Coyote Gulch. What are the trails like to and from the canyon? Easy to follow? Or a fair amount of navigation skill needed? Any alternate overnight suggestions in the area that require little navigation?
Thanks in advance!