Southern Utah Backpacking Suggestions

[cjhaines]

Alright guys, I've been lurking on this site for a long time and finally decided to participate. Thanks for the help in planning past trips!

So here's the deal: my wife and I are avid backpackers. We have a 3 day weekend coming up the weekend of March 17-19 and we are really itching to get out and do some more desert backpacking in Southern Utah. We really want to go somewhere new, but I'm having trouble deciding on a location and was wondering if anyone had suggestions. My thought would be that we'd drive down Thursday night after work and return Sunday evening. For reference, we have plenty of experience in the Needles District/Chesler Park area and have already done Coyote Gulch. We had thought about doing Paria/Buckskin but I'm not thrilled about the prospect of swimming in cold water that time of year. I've also thought about some other canyons in GSENM and Glen Canyon. Thoughts?

 

[Nick]

I like to get as low as I can in the Glen Canyon region in March. The cottonwoods should be budding, if not already to leaves by then. All of the canyons in the lower Escalante are excellent choices.

 

[LarryBoy]

How about Grand Gulch? Lower Grand Gulch in particular is really starting to come alive at that time of year. Call it a Bears Ears celebration (at least for now...) trip!

 

[cjhaines]

I was thinking something like Davis or Fiftymile. Grand Gulch has been on my list for awhile too. Any idea on what Dark Canyon is like that time of year? I've never been down there but it's been on my list for awhile.

 

[Nick]

I was thinking something like Davis or Fiftymile. Grand Gulch has been on my list for awhile too. Any idea on what Dark Canyon is like that time of year? I've never been down there but it's been on my list for awhile.

All great choices. I did Dark Canyon in April last year and it was amazing. I imagine mid-late March would be excellent.