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MojaveGeek · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:22 am Post subject:

Steve, for the Roaring Springs hike, you should check with the NPS (either backcountry res office or maybe on their site) for conditions on the North Kaibab trail. I was closed a few weeks ago due to a rockslide. I heard it opened sooner than they had predicted though there was still some trail work going on and maybe intermittent closures. I'm sure they would work hard to open the main trail from the North Rim in prime visitor season.

Of course you want to be starting that walk before sunrise as it's all uphill on the way back. But if you get a later start, my understanding is that much of the route gets shaded by early afternoon, given the lay of the canyon the path of the sun at this time of year. There are mule trips to Roaring Springs but not a lot of mule traffic.

Have fun and think of me once or twice 'cause I'm not making my trip there this year.
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Candace_66 · Grubstaker Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 366 Location: Utah

SteveH · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:28 am Post subject:

I did find some info about the Roaring Springs hike that it was reopened a few days ago, so we should be fine. I guess most people start the hike early, but we might not be able to get there before 10am.

Candace, we are just doing a vehicle 1/2 day tour of each park. Kind of an intro to the area. Just short hikes like Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch. With all the other major hikes, that day we will take it easy.
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Candace_66 · Grubstaker Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 366 Location: Utah

SteveH · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:41 pm Post subject:

Okay I will research that one for sure. One area I wanted to hit in Arches was the Fiery Furnace. But organized tours were sold out and I wasn't sure how hard it would be to self navigate it.
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netllama · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:13 pm Post subject:

SteveH · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:07 pm Post subject:

According to online info you can get a permit for hiking on your own--

SteveH · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

Good news. I was able to get a private guide reserved to take us through the Fiery Furnace for a few hours. I feel like if I had skipped this hike, I would have really missed out on one of the highlights of Arches NP. I think this is the way to go (even though it costs a fair bit) because the ranger-led hikes seem to be a bit crowded and it would probably be harder to get great pictures.
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MojaveGeek · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject:

Fiery Furnace is cool. Definitely worth a good look!

You're covering a lot of ground, hope you don't get burned out!
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Candace_66 · Grubstaker Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 366 Location: Utah

SteveH · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:37 am Post subject:

Yeah, I would have been on the ranger tour if it hadn't been completely sold out. So it's either wander the Furnace aimlessly on my own or hire a private guide. Since time is limited, the guide was the way to go. Plus I should get some better pics anyway. I will definitely let you know how it goes... I will make blog posts during most of the trip on here on a new thread.

You are right, Mojave. I am way overbooked with hikes. Not sure how I'm going to pull all of these off, but I hope I can do it. At least the hikes won't be as grueling as DV hikes. But heat will definitely be a problem.
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Morrie · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:15 am Post subject:

Man, Canyonlands in 1/2 day?? I guess if you're sticking to your car, almost all the choices involve the overlooks.

If trying to do Arches the same day, I suggest Dead Horse Point which is relatively close and will give you the biggest bang for your time. You could also head to the other overlooks accessible by car, like Needles, Anticiline, Grand View or Confluence, but it's a lot of extra driving to get to these others, starting form Arches.

I went to Dead Horse Point in 1969 driving across the country in a VW van. I fell so in love with Canyonlands from that one view, I vowed to go back some day with a jeep. But I didn't have the means to do that till 1983. Almost every year since then I've been back to the desert, half the time Canyonlands and half the time Death Valley.

SteveH · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tips, Morrie. We will definitely hit Dead Horse Point. I think we may have 3-4 hours tops in Canyonlands, which I realize is quite sad, but we can only fit so much in, and the purpose of the trip is slot canyon hiking. I noticed as well that Kauri hit Dead Horse Point. Interesting to hear that you split your time between DV and Canyonlands. In researching hikes, it seems like a lot of the amazing hikes in Canyonlands are done as backpacking trips. Some day....
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SteveH · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:43 pm Post subject:

Well we are about to head out. Our plan is to hike Buckskin Gulch next Tues. The forecast is showing "a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.". I talked to a Paria ranger today and he said that shouldn't affect our hike or cause potential flash floods. He also said Buckskin is bone dry right now which means no Cesspools. Cool

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Kauri · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject:

Have a great trip!!

Looking forward to seeing your TRs!