Favorite 2-3 day backpacking trip.

Strawsome

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2018
Messages
12
Im looking for a great backpacking trip for this spring and I need something new. I've done: Coyote gulch, death hollow, zion narrows, parunuweap (the barracks). I also want to stay in the southern part of Utah or surrounding areas. What are your recommendations/favorites? I have about 8-10 people going, experienced and we'd prefer something in the desert, red rock, and water is always nice if possible but not required.
 
If you go back out to the Escalante area, you could check out the Neon Canyon area. When I did it we backpacked to a base camp area then spent the next 2 days checking different places out. I am sure there are options in that area for a good 2-3 day trip.
 
Im looking for a great backpacking trip for this spring and I need something new. I've done: Coyote gulch, death hollow, zion narrows, parunuweap (the barracks). I also want to stay in the southern part of Utah or surrounding areas. What are your recommendations/favorites? I have about 8-10 people going, experienced and we'd prefer something in the desert, red rock, and water is always nice if possible but not required.

Maybe South Canyon to Vaseys Paradise in Marble Canyon? Round Valley Draw down into Hackberry Canyon?
 
Here's some ideas:

Cap Reef:
Spring Canyon: 1/2 or all. Can be looped.
Halls Narrows

Escalante:
LDH/Wolverine: can extend up onto the V on west side of river.
Cottonwood/Llewellyn/Reflection Canyons (near Hole in the Rock descent)
The Neon mention is a good idea: Fence/Escalante/Harris wash/Egypt Bench (I have yet to do)
Grand Staircase:
Sheep Cr/Willis/Bull Valley Gorge (tricky entry)
Paria/Hogeye/Sam Pollock/Hackberry/YellowRock


Canyonlands Needles:
Any designated site loop in the heart of the Needles and Chesler Park
Upper Salt Cr hike through, or and part of, with side canyon explorations
Canyonlands Is in the Sky:
Syncline/Taylor Canyon loop

Cedar Mesa:
Fish/Owl Loop
Kane to Bullet in Grand Gulch
Slickhorn 1 to 4 loop (I have yet to do)
 
Escalante is a very cool area to go hiking. I have been to the Golden Cathedral and Neon Canyon, Spooky and Peel-a-boo slot canyons. There are campgrounds out there (e.g. half a mile down Egypt Road coming from Hole in the Rock road). I have also seen lots of people camping along the Escalante River on my way to Neon Canyon.
I also liked the Coyote Buttes North AND South a lot but it will be near impossible to get permits for such a big group of hikers.
 
Here's some ideas:

Cap Reef:
Spring Canyon: 1/2 or all. Can be looped.
Halls Narrows

Escalante:
LDH/Wolverine: can extend up onto the V on west side of river.
Cottonwood/Llewellyn/Reflection Canyons (near Hole in the Rock descent)
The Neon mention is a good idea: Fence/Escalante/Harris wash/Egypt Bench (I have yet to do)
Grand Staircase:
Sheep Cr/Willis/Bull Valley Gorge (tricky entry)
Paria/Hogeye/Sam Pollock/Hackberry/YellowRock


Canyonlands Needles:
Any designated site loop in the heart of the Needles and Chesler Park
Upper Salt Cr hike through, or and part of, with side canyon explorations
Canyonlands Is in the Sky:
Syncline/Taylor Canyon loop

Cedar Mesa:
Fish/Owl Loop
Kane to Bullet in Grand Gulch
Slickhorn 1 to 4 loop (I have yet to do)


Thank you, I've been considering the fish/owl loop or the wolverine hike as well as neon. Llewellyn looked good as well.
 
Nice to see this discussion! My GF and I are headed to Zion/Bryce/EGS May 8-22. Zion and Bryce for 2 full days each. Was looking into short backpacking trips just to explore the region without the crowds. New to desert backpacking and neither of us wants to be wading hip deep in canyon streams or carry 2+ gallons of water. Coyote Gulch looks good for at least an overnight, especially if I can find the springs anywhere near a campsite. Carrying wag bags is also a new experience!

Was trying to find something scenic within our limits for 2 nights out in Escalante Grand Staircase. Looking through the lists here will be a great help. If not, may just have to squeeze in the remaining few days to visit the North Rim. Certainly different than my annual Wind River event!
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
montanaclimber Americans: where was your favorite international backpacking trip? Trip Planning 25
forest dweller Favorite backpacking foods...convenient, easy, delicious, nutritious? General Discussion 20
fossana Favorite map resources General Discussion 17
Ellen What are your favorite spots to hike and camp in December? Trip Planning 10
Mikjik86 Favorite location with no cell phone service General Discussion 56
U Favorite sites in Glacier in North Fork, Lake McDonald or Cole/Nyack? Looking at mid july Trip Planning 2
U Favorite Yellowstone Gallatin Mtn Area Campsite? Looking at WD5, WE7 and that area Trip Planning 5
J Three of my Favorite Things: Hiko Springs, NV. Narrows, peaks, petroglyph hike Hiking & Camping 0
Parma Favorite Maze Campsites General Discussion 1
D Greetings from Missouri! What are your favorite Hikes in the Sawtooths? Noobs: Introduce yourself! 4
Strawsome What is your favorite hike in the Escalante/Hole in the rock road area? General Discussion 6
RussRDH Returning to my favorite past-time Noobs: Introduce yourself! 1
Nick Album Your favorite shots from 2015 Photography 126
DrNed Your Most Important or Favorite Wilderness Skill General Discussion 42
L Favorite food in the woods General Discussion 6
Nick Album Your favorite shots of 2014 Photography 49
Parma New Favorite Toy General Discussion 2
DrNed Favorite Places To Explore While Floating Labyrinth Trip Planning 38
steve Where are your favorite primitive camping spots near Capitol Reef/Torrey? General Discussion 6
IntrepidXJ My Ten Favorite Photos of 2013 Photography 0
Nick Album Your favorite shots of 2013 Photography 47
Nick Favorite Trips of 2012 General Discussion 9
Dan What's your favorite recipe for cooking backcountry fish? General Discussion 15
Seldom Seen Anderson Favorite Books General Discussion 21
Deadeye008 What's your favorite backcountry lens? Photography 16
B 3P Backpacking Tent Recommendation and Nemo Aurora feedback Gear 3
TrailScot Capitol Reef NP - 5 Day Backpacking Adventure from Chimney Rock to Burro Wash - October 2023 Backpacking 10
Mikjik86 Backpacking Indian Peaks Wilderness - King Lake - August, 2023 Backpacking 0
J Backpacking in the UK Backpacking 1
2eez4life Suggestions: Uintas Backpacking with some rock climbing routes Trip Planning 0
M Backpacking 50 miles in the Uinta Mountains for 5 days with ~50 pound pack Backpacking 4
forest dweller What do you think are the most essential nutrients while backpacking? General Discussion 17
B 2P Backpacking Tent Recommendation Gear 13
forest dweller You guys keep a backpacking gear checklist in Microsoft Word you don't mind sharing? General Discussion 13
forest dweller I have tons of backpacking food past it's expired by date... General Discussion 10
maisweh Backpacking Maze - Please Critique Trip Planning 11
DrNed Backpacking Light Memberships Resource Discussions 6
ANelson Backpacking with a 600MM Lens General Discussion 13
E Weeklong+ backpacking recs in Yellowstone NP? Trip Planning 11
mikejones3 New Backpacking / Hiking Weight Calculator App Gear 0
R Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest Trip Planning 7
NorthwestWanderer Backpacking Grand Teton National Park : Fossil Pass,Fox Creek Pass,Indian Lake,Alaska Basin,Hurricane Pass,Ice Floe Lake,& Snowdrift Lake Backpacking 19
Mikjik86 Backpacking The Wind River Range - Wyoming, September 2022 Trip Reports 3
norwegianxplorer 6 days Backpacking Norway in the Fall (Part 2) Backpacking 4
V four day backpacking trip in southern Utah starting this weekend Trip Planning 4
norwegianxplorer 6 days backpacking Jotunheimen in the fall Trip Reports 4
Desertratgal Backpacking/Packrafting Needles and Maze Districts of Canyonlands Trip Planning 3
BJett Amazing Appalachians - Backpacking/Packrafting the AT and Nantahala River Backpacking 5
kwc Backpacking on the Northville Placid Trail (NPT) Backpacking 13
norwegianxplorer 7 days backpacking Breheimen/Glacier Home National Park in Norway Backpacking 2

Similar threads

Back
Top