Trip Planning: Utah & Colorado Backpacking, Hiking and Snowshoeing – March 2016

posted in: Trip & Hike Planning

Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need, for half the distance they planned to go, in twice the time it should take.” Unknown author

As part of my cross country drive in March, I will be backpacking, hiking and snowshoeing between California and Colorado. After discovering  that mid-late March is a very busy time for Utah and Arizona trails (read: no permits), I learned about Coyote Gulch in Utah. Since I visited Zion twice last year, was unable to secure backcountry permits for several other areas (Havasupai, Parai Canyon, Canyonlands, etc) and much of Bryce Canyon is still covered in snow and ice (we’re not equipped for winter backpacking on this trip), Coyote Gulch will make up the backpacking portion of our trip.

Itinerary

(modified 03.12.2016)

I have just started the planning process. If you have any suggestions, please comment below. I am currently looking for suggestions regarding where we should snowshoe or hike in the Denver area.

Driving Route – Google Maps


Gear

I’ll be supplying gear for myself and for 1 other hiker on this trip. It’s great to be in a position to be able to do this and I am very thankful for the companies that have provided HikingGeek.com with the gear that will be used/tested on this trip. Here’s a quick look at what we’ll be using. A more comprehensive list will be posted with my trip report. Where appropriate, I’ve either linked to a HikingGeek.com review or links where you can read reviews and/or buy the items:


Resources

Here is some of the info that I am using to plan my trip.

Coyote Gulch

Arches National Park


 Previous Itineraries

Driving Route – Google Maps

  • Day 1 (Thu)
    • Drive to St. George UT(leave CA late afternoon or early evening, 5 hrs driving)
  • Day 2 (Fri)
    • Drive to Escalante Ranger Station (3 hours, arrive when they open at 8 AM)
    • Finish drive to Red Well Trailhead (1.5 hrs)
    • Start Coyote Gulch Backpack
  • Day 3 (Sat)
    • Continue Coyote Gulch Backpack
  • Day 4 (Sun)
    • Finish Coyote Gulch Backpack
    • Drive to Moab for Arches National Park (5 hrs) access
      • If we arrive in Moab early, we could complete one of the short Arches NP hikes below
  • Day 5 (Mon)
  • Days 6 & 7 (Tue & Wed)
    • Day Hike/Snowshoe Denver area