Backpacking suggestions for May 2019

[Eugene]

A group of us from Texas are looking for some May backpacking suggestions for a 3-4 day hike. We have done numerous hikes in the SW including Coyote Gulch, Under the Rim Bryce, Thunder River/Deer Creek GC, Hermit Boucher, Escalante River town to bridge... Kind of running out of new ideas. We do want to avoid the pack mule issue of carrying multiple days of water which of course limits life in the dessert considerably. We are not rock climbers so anything longer than very short rope climbs are out. On our list at this point are:
1. Salt Creek from Cathedral Butte to Needles Canyonlands
2. Dominguez Canyon in western CO
3. The Gulch SE of Boulder UT

Questions:
1. Any insights to any of these hikes?
2. Any other suggestions?

Any help/insights/suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I've done all three of those....and would easily choose Salt Creek over the others. No contest.

 

[Nick]

I would say The Gulch was one of my worst backpacking trips ever. Salt Creek is excellent.

 

[Bob]

North rim of Grand canyon roads still can be snow covered so would need elswhere.

Death Hollow top to bottom.... Grand Gulch proper.

 

[Eugene]

I would say The Gulch was one of my worst backpacking trips ever. Salt Creek is excellent.

thanks for the info... looks like The Gulch is out

 

[gnwatts]

Dominguez Canyon is a gem. Not very long, but much to see. The key is to stay away from the trail and follow the cliffs above the creek.

 

[Carcass]

A group of us from Texas are looking for some May backpacking suggestions for a 3-4 day hike. We have done numerous hikes in the SW including Coyote Gulch, Under the Rim Bryce, Thunder River/Deer Creek GC, Hermit Boucher, Escalante River town to bridge... Kind of running out of new ideas. We do want to avoid the pack mule issue of carrying multiple days of water which of course limits life in the dessert considerably. We are not rock climbers so anything longer than very short rope climbs are out. On our list at this point are:
1. Salt Creek from Cathedral Butte to Needles Canyonlands
2. Dominguez Canyon in western CO
3. The Gulch SE of Boulder UT

Questions:
1. Any insights to any of these hikes?
2. Any other suggestions?

Any help/insights/suggestions would be much appreciated!

What about Paria River: Start at Buckskin Gulch or White House TH to Lee's Ferry

 

[Eugene]

What about Paria River: Start at Buckskin Gulch or White House TH to Lee's Ferry

Did Paria last spring

 

[Eugene]

thanks for the info... looks like The Gulch is out

Does it really require a 4wd shuttle or would relatively high clearance SUV work tip get to Cathedral Butte? We will have 2 vehicles so I’ve SUVs would work we could save the shuttle expense.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Does it really require a 4wd shuttle or would relatively high clearance SUV work tip get to Cathedral Butte? We will have 2 vehicles so I’ve SUVs would work we could save the shuttle expense.

As long as the road is in good shape, you could probably get a Subaru to the trailhead.

 

[SKLund]

A group of us from Texas are looking for some May backpacking suggestions for a 3-4 day hike. We have done numerous hikes in the SW including Coyote Gulch, Under the Rim Bryce, Thunder River/Deer Creek GC, Hermit Boucher, Escalante River town to bridge... Kind of running out of new ideas. We do want to avoid the pack mule issue of carrying multiple days of water which of course limits life in the dessert considerably. We are not rock climbers so anything longer than very short rope climbs are out. On our list at this point are:
1. Salt Creek from Cathedral Butte to Needles Canyonlands
2. Dominguez Canyon in western CO
3. The Gulch SE of Boulder UT

Questions:
1. Any insights to any of these hikes?
2. Any other suggestions?

Any help/insights/suggestions would be much appreciated!

I have Salt Creek pretty much in the can for early May. Of course, until the government opens, permit reservations are not in place until feds are working again. You get a reservation number though. You get your permit on a day-by-day basis for each backcountry campsite (SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4) exactly 4 months before you want to go. January 6th is go for May 6th, etc.

https://canypermits.nps.gov/

 

[SKLund]

I have Salt Creek pretty much in the can for early May. Of course, until the government opens, permit reservations are not in place until feds are working again. You get a reservation number though. You get your permit on a day-by-day basis for each backcountry campsite (SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4) exactly 4 months before you want to go. January 6th is go for May 6th, etc.

https://canypermits.nps.gov/

Oh yeah, and you need to be on it to get a permit. They go fast!

 

[Eugene]

Oh yeah, and you need to be on it to get a permit. They go fast!

what time does the day open? Midnight MST?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

what time does the day open? Midnight MST?

Yes

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Of course, until the government opens, permit reservations are not in place until feds are working again. You get a reservation number though.

That's going to be a big backlog for them when the government opens back up again!

 

[SKLund]

Yes

I got one for LC1 (Lost Canyon) today. The permits are in a 4 month range so currently Jan. 1 through May 8, 2019. So the next days permits are opened at midnight. It is always best to be at your phone/computer then to get what you want.

And yes, it will be a massive backlog that I hope be they honor.





Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I got one for LC1 (Lost Canyon) today.

Nice, I'll be staying in Lost Canyon on a trip in March...assuming the park is open by then...

 

[Eugene]

Oh yeah, and you need to be on it to get a permit. They go fast!

Do you happen to know if one can camp at the Cathedral Butte TH? Looks like it is on BLM land not the park.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Do you happen to know if one can camp at the Cathedral Butte TH? Looks like it is on BLM land not the park.

Yes, there are a few nice campsites nearby.