Help Planning Utah Backpacking Trip

[MurrMan81]

Hi everybody. Long time lurker first time membership/post. Im backpacking The Needles in Canyonlands at the end of June and I have multiple days to backpack more. My question is where to go. Im looking for something about 2-3 nights. First I thought about doing Island in the Sky in Canyonlands, but I have time and a car, I should explore. I fly out of Vegas so thats my car return point. Suggestions! Thanks so much.

 

[Dave]

Welcome to BCP! End of June will be hot. I would prioritize hikes around water. That would rule out Island in the Sky. One car logistics make point-to-point canyons (Parunuweap, Buckskin Gulch, etc) a bit challenging, too. Escalante region, maybe?

 

[MurrMan81]

Welcome to BCP! End of June will be hot. I would prioritize hikes around water. That would rule out Island in the Sky. One car logistics make point-to-point canyons (Parunuweap, Buckskin Gulch, etc) a bit challenging, too. Escalante region, maybe?

Thanks for the reply! Escalante sounds amazing. The car logistics does make it likely that Im doing a loop and not point-to-point. Escalante and the surrounding area are so large its a little overwhelming trying to figure out a loop while also wanting to see everything all around. Any and all ideas are welcome. Thanks

 

[Kullaberg63]

Coyote Gulch in the Escalante. You won't be alone but logistics are easy.

 

[gnwatts]

Water. It will be tough this year. Try to find a spot with reliable pools. Nothing like swimming in 100 degree heat.

 

[MurrMan81]

Coyote Gulch in the Escalante. You won't be alone but logistics are easy.

I keep coming back to this hike, Coyote Gulch, but it's to much driving with the amount I'm already doing. Definitely thinking of something along the river. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[MurrMan81]

Water. It will be tough this year. Try to find a spot with reliable pools. Nothing like swimming in 100 degree heat.

Good idea, swimming! Ive got the storage to carry all water needed if necessary but id love to avoid that. Any backpacking suggestions? I'm thinking of doing a loop somewhere along a river/water source.

 

[Brendan S]

I'm gonna say that something along a watercourse is pretty mandatory that year. I'm all about summer in canyon country but I also work outside during the summer and get pretty accustomed to the heat. At least for backpacking, Canyonlands is a pretty rough summer destination. Escalante (Death Hollow is pretty good summer hike as long as you get the BMT section out of the way in the morning, lower end of Boulder Creek with area where it meets the Escalante), maybe lower Dark Canyon (though you'd have a dry/strenous hike out) are better summer areas.

Take it seriously though...I've run into people in trouble from heat even on easy loops like Coyote in cooler temps than you'll probably have.

 

[gnwatts]

Good idea, swimming! Ive got the storage to carry all water needed if necessary but id love to avoid that. Any backpacking suggestions? I'm thinking of doing a loop somewhere along a river/water source.

I have no recent experience in the Escalante area. If you wanted to head east I could help in Cedar Mesa, a few nice big pools around
there. I second lower Dark Canyon, you could plan your hike out Sundance early in the morning, not so hot.

 

[LizardAZ]

Parunuweap is a pretty easy hitchhike. That first day is rough though, until the canyon starts to close in. Even with water.

Have you looked at hiking in the La Sals? There's some pretty good hiking and peakbagging up there. Not a traditional Utah desert destination, but will definitely be more pleasant in the summer. Wouldn't be nearly as far from the Needles as the other suggestions people are throwing out, either