Spring Break 2015 - March 21 - 26 - Canyonlands

[CO_Hunter]

Just sent you a pm, call if you need help answering any of the questions. Going in Hans Flat out Poison Spring. Thanks!!

 

[Pops]

Ambitious Travis,

Here is a starting point for plans.

day 1 -Springs to Maze overlook
day 2- Maze to Doll house
day 3- Doll House chill day (or skip extra Doll House day and bump remaining days up one)
day 4- out Poison Spring/Dirty Devil to Beef Basin general area (gas in Hite)
day 5 - Devils Kitchen (or Bobby Joe depending on availability and day 3 option)
day 6 - back to Springs

I found out on Rising Sun that day 4-6 may be too ambitious, more details coming soon.

Also, I will need someone to reserve the second camp sites since we have 6 rigs. Need to get the reservations soon as we are loosing options.

Is it too late for me to join considering the camp site issue? I pretty sure I can make it all days and my Brother david is likely to join in his Taco.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Just got off the phone with my dad and he's thinking he's going to ride along with me and the girls, so that opens up one spot.

 

[CO_Hunter]

I really can't plan for more than 6 rigs and that is what we are up to with you Doug and Travis' Dad not driving. I am having trouble making the last day work as is. The first day there would be no room at the maze overlook but second day Doll House I think has one site open. Two of our camps will be outside the Park so no restrictions.

Here is the latest plan:

day 1 -Springs to Maze overlook (camp)
day 2- Maze to Doll house (camp)
day 3- out Poison Spring/Dirty Devil camp somewhere along route
day 4- (gas in Hite) Beef Basin general area and camp
day 5 - explore joint trail, and other hikes and camp at New Bates
day 6 - back to Springs

The problem here is New Bates and Horeshoof are one site each and probably an hour apart. I may just reserve those and figure out the last night later, we may just have to be in two groups the last night.

 

[Fitzgerald]

I really can't plan for more than 6 rigs and that is what we are up to with you Doug and Travis' not driving. I am having trouble making the last day work as it is. The first day there would be no room at the maze overlook but second day Doll House I think has one site open. Two of our camps will be outside the Park so no restrictions.

Here is the latest plan:

day 1 -Springs to Maze overlook (camp)
day 2- Maze to Doll house (camp)
day 3- out Poison Spring/Dirty Devil camp somewhere along route
day 4- (gas in Hite) Beef Basin general area and camp
day 5 - explore joint trail, and other hikes and camp at New Bates
day 6 - back to Springs

The problem here is New Bates and Horeshoof are one site each and probably an hour apart. I may just reserve those and figure out the last night later, we may just have to be in two groups the last night.

Sounds like a plan. Really getting excited! I'm sure we can make something work that last night. Thanks for setting this up man! I'll get ya a 6 pack of Grolsch for the trip.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Sounds like a plan. Really getting excited! I'm sure we can make something work that last night. Thanks for setting this up man! I'll get ya a 6 pack of Grolsch for the trip.

but no need.

I think I waited a bit too long to reserve things . Horsehoof filled. Some may have to camp at Squaw Flat (split top site), developed camp near our exit but pictures are really cool. I just reserved that site as well as New Bates, bought me a day or so to think it over. Bummer we may have to be split on the last night.

Next time, yes next time, I will get reservations a bit earlier. Getting pretty excited about this as well.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Just a thought but we might leave on Friday to try and get a few miles behind us. We can hook up via radios.

Please make sure you know how to use repeaters on your radios. I will post up repeater information and update in the first post.

 

[black95]

So first day, from springs to maze overlook camp, we're still looking at a 12 hour day behind the wheel? My wife says she can do that riding along, but probably not driving- so she might not bring the wrangler and just ride with me.

I have a ham radio, and know how to use it... because I took the class.

 

[CO_Hunter]

yes, 12 hour day unless you get some miles on Friday but then the return we're looking at about 8 hours or so. That is my best guestimate.

 

[Fitzgerald]

yes, 12 hour day unless you get some miles on Friday but then the return we're looking at 12 as well. That is my best guestimate.

So, it was only 6+ish hours to the Swell. I'm guessing there's a lot of dirt road stuff for the second half of the trip?

I'm out of work at 3 o'clock on that Friday.....would still have to head home and pick up the family.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Hard to believe that there's a 6 hour difference here. ???

 

[CO_Hunter]

It is 6.5 hours to Green River, the Swell was farther. 2 hours to Hans Flat, then 3 hours to camp at Maze overlook. The distance between the Maze and Needles is not far as the crow flies but takes a day to get around due to the Colorado and Green Rivers. I corrected my return time estimate as it will be more like 8 hours or so.

I would be careful with Google maps estimates here. I am basing some on Google maps, to major areas such as Moab or Green River. From those areas I am basing estimates on other trip reports, posted park information, and talking to rangers. Here is some trip planning information from a Rising Sun trip a few years ago:

http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=16315&page=3

 

[black95]

We might be in three groups, I'm going to do as little major highway driving as I can. Don't have the horsepower to keep up with Travis in the I70 rat race, nor do I want to. We'll either be going via hwy 9 or hwy 24.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Luke, that is the way we have gone out in the past.

 

[CO_Hunter]

So here is the deal on the last day.

The backcountry site (New Bates) I reserved can take 3 rigs and I think 10 people max, it is the only one left, well aside from the one that the ranger advised me NOT taking due to concerns over quick sand, not a good mix with an 80

So, I also reserved the group spot that is in a developed campground back off the main road, still looks very nice. The problem is that spot has a minimum, yes minimum of 11 and a max of 15 that is enforced. We have 17 people in our group. Group spots are the only ones that can be reserved at Squaw flat all the single spots are first come/first serve and we are rolling in late and most likely will be filled.

Since I reserved two spots I got a friendly call from the NPS We are out of options, other than heading out onto BLM and camping. No dispersed camping near the park and there is a campground that is available, but again, I am concerned it will fill.

I think I our best bet is to go with what I have reserved but we need at least 11 in the Squaw Flat and 3 rigs max, yes goofy, but those are the rules. So that means 2 to 6 people will have to camp in the back country spot. I cannot have both reservations in my name. Single passengers rigs will have to take the backcountry site, Doug and brother.

Just based on the count of passengers, it will need to be Eric, Travis, and me or Luke in the group site to make 12 and not split families. So looks like Luke you will have to be the other trip leader, do you have a strong preference for one over the other?

Sorry this last night got so screwed up.

 

[black95]

Strong preference for Travis and Eric camp vs Doug and brother camp? No, no preference. So I need to reserve another spot on the NPS webpage?

 

[CO_Hunter]

Strong preference for Travis and Eric camp vs Doug and brother camp? No, no preference. So I need to reserve another spot on the NPS webpage?

More a question of the location rather than the people I need to call NPS and let them know you will be other leader, I'll get with you later.

 

[EricG]

Looks like i'll be diving the clown car - 5 people.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Got some questions about the water crossings. Here are some links to other reports. I will be keeping track of water levels and we will have a plan "B".

Look at post 5 and part of 6
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/48929-Utah-Cruiser-Expedition-2010?p=704739#post704739

 

[Fitzgerald]

Should it worry me that every one of those guys in the river crossing photos had a snorkel?