Zion West Rim Backpacking

:eek: Damn dude................ Damn!
How big of a drop off was it?

DOSS said:
crawl back to the trail, sit there for 45 minutes freaking out....
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I've had some close calls before, nothing this scary fortunately. Mostly near wrecks on the motorbike and every time I have to stop and let the adrenaline subside as my legs and are go all wobbly.
 
HomerJ said:
:eek: Damn dude................ Damn!
How big of a drop off was it?
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about 300 feet eek

I really need to go back and hike that trail (without the near death experience)
 
DOSS said:
about 300 feet eek

I really need to go back and hike that trail (without the near death experience)
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WOW!............ Do you still have nightmares about it? I would....
 
HomerJ said:
WOW!............ Do you still have nightmares about it? I would....
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Oddly I don't, I have unfortunately had closer calls with the hooded gentleman with the sharp grain cutting instrument that keep that incident at bay...

DOSS happens to stand for Doer of Stupid S*** (my wife often wonders how I am still alive actually.)
 
DOSS said:
Oddly I don't, I have unfortunately had closer calls with the hooded gentleman with the sharp grain cutting instrument that keep that incident at bay...

DOSS happens to stand for Doer of Stupid S*** (my wife often wonders how I am still alive actually.)
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Remind me to not hike with you! LOL! ;)
 
HomerJ said:
Remind me to not hike with you! LOL! ;)
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I have always been able to self rescue and no-one has died, and almost all of my stupid adventures have been when I have been Solo :oops:
 
ibenick said:
Any suggestions on campsites or places to fill up on water along the way?

And how early is too early for this one, assuming we don't get some insane amount of snow this spring?
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Heya Nick --

West Rim is amazing -- you will love it.

I went through there on my trip across the state in the very beginning of May 2009. Rangers warned me there would likely be thigh-deep snow up near Wildcat Canyon. There was nowhere near that much snow -- just a few patches which one could easily skirt. Should be no problem unless there is a HUGE storm late in the spring.

Water is not a problem in the Spring. Wildcat Creek will be flowing and then there is a spring below Lava Point, good water in the middle of the trail at Imlay and then at the bottom at Cabin Spring.

Get Camp #5! Actually... people debate which is the best, but that's my favorite -- very close to great views. The pic below is from rim about 50M from the camp.

Shuttle is the best bet and if you do do this -- definitely hike top to bottom. It's much easier -- and more fun as the views get better and better and you can see how the canyon system takes shape as you walk. It's not terrible to hike up from the bottom if the shuttle is a pain or there is too much snow at the top. In this case I'd opt for two nights so you can take your time walking in and then do a day-hike up as far as you want on day 2. This would give you plenty of time for taking pics -- you like to do that, right?!

sunrise-on-the-west-rim.jpg


- Jamal
 
Jammer said:
Heya Nick --

West Rim is amazing -- you will love it.

I went through there on my trip across the state in the very beginning of May 2009. Rangers warned me there would likely be thigh-deep snow up near Wildcat Canyon. There was nowhere near that much snow -- just a few patches which one could easily skirt. Should be no problem unless there is a HUGE storm late in the spring.

Water is not a problem in the Spring. Wildcat Creek will be flowing and then there is a spring below Lava Point, good water in the middle of the trail at Imlay and then at the bottom at Cabin Spring.

Get Camp #5! Actually... people debate which is the best, but that's my favorite -- very close to great views. The pic below is from rim about 50M from the camp.

Shuttle is the best bet and if you do do this -- definitely hike top to bottom. It's much easier -- and more fun as the views get better and better and you can see how the canyon system takes shape as you walk. It's not terrible to hike up from the bottom if the shuttle is a pain or there is too much snow at the top. In this case I'd opt for two nights so you can take your time walking in and then do a day-hike up as far as you want on day 2. This would give you plenty of time for taking pics -- you like to do that, right?!

sunrise-on-the-west-rim.jpg


- Jamal
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Are you the "Across Utah" guy? If so, loved your video and web site.
 
Alene and I did the West Rim in September a few years ago, Tyler dropped us off at Lava point and we got a late start so we camped at #8 potato hollow, which is a beautiful spot. I loved that trail, so beautiful. The next day we did Angel's landing on our way down, the last few miles it was very hot outside so we followed with a swimming hole. It really opened my eyes as to what else Zion had to offer.
 
ibenick said:
Awesome! I'm looking at doing it somewhere between there and mid-May. Just waiting to see what happens with some permits. Unless winter decides to happen late this spring, I would think it should be pretty good by then. :)
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I know the day is almost here that you can get permits for May, so I just wanted to let you know I'm still very interested in doing this. I have Wave permits for the first weekend in May, and I'll be doing Capitol Reef and Coyote Gulch at the end of May, but if you can snag permits for the 12th or the 19th, I'd love to go.:D
 
Check on permits online quick as they go fast for May! We managed to land six for memorial day weekend the day they opened up. So stoked. But East Rim is always an awesome back up if West is booked up, (which we had to settle for last year).
I don't think water is ever an issue early in the season and the rangers always have up to date info on the springs from regular day hikers and rangers on the trail.
Not sure why one would need 50 pounds on an overnight hike like that, sounds pretty brutal!
 
This is a great overnighter. I did this 5 years or so ago with my brother and I believe we stayed at site 6, which was actually not a great site because it had burned sometime in the last few years and there was no cover. Though it was close enough to the spring at site 5 to make up for it a bit. It's amazing the change in scenery from beginning to end - from forested hills to classic Zion vistas. It travels through some truly amazing areas. Good luck getting your permits and have fun.
 
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