Backpacking southern Utah northern Arizona in November

<p>Hi everyone. What would be a good 3 - 4 - 5 night hike in the UT/AZ southwest? I'm looking at the middle of November, including the Veterans' Day long weekend, which unfortunately makes things a bit more crowded.<br>

<br />Background is<br>

*I'm about 60% photography and 40% backpacking, so good scenics is a plus, and off the beaten path is even better. <br>

*Water along the way is a good thing.<br>

*Anything from 20 - 50 miles, but for longer distances reliable water is a must. A loop trail starting and finishing near a decent road would be good. (Think rental car.)</p>

<p>Ideas, please.</p>

<p>Paria Canyon would be awesome...but you may need reservations and that might be difficult with Veteran's Day weekend involved. Try <a href="http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain.html">http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain.html</a> and see what happens.</p>

<p>I have no idea, but it will be awesome...</p>

<p>Have you seen the Grand Canyon? Your willingness to do 20-50 miles tells me you expect to camp along the trail, so I suggest you do some serious Google/Bing research on the canyon. There's literally no other place like it.</p>

 

<p>Think about Escalante/Grand Staircase and Capitol Reef. Laurent Martres Book on Photographing the Southwest, Vol 1-Southern Utah is a great resource. These places are likely to be significantly less crowded than some of the better known areas such as Arches, Bryce, etc. </p>

<p>You mentioned hiking, On foot you will not see much of what is there to see, in the alloted time.</p>

<p>Think harder about renting a vehicle.</p>

<p>Hi all. Just to clarify, I've been to the desert southwest a number of times, so I'm not trying to do the grand tour-- just a trail to hike for a few days, with my pal Mr Rollei.</p>

<p>Bob's suggestion of the Grand Canyon is a good one, but it's a no-go. I already applied for a backpacking permit last week, and was turned down. Seems they're full in November, at least in the obvious places, and the north side will be closed.</p>

<p>Thinking about Canyonlands, Ed Abbey country. Hayduke lives! Would be cool in mid-November, but OK with the down bag. Water would probably limit the duration of the trip.</p>

<p>Maybe Capitol Reef like Phil says-- some scary good photography was done there by a guy named White. I'll look into Escalante too. Maybe I could squeeze in two short two-day trips, with a motel and a shower in-between.</p>

<p>Keep the suggestions coming-- this is useful. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>GSENM:<br>

Egypt Bench - Escalante River, visit the lower reaches of Neon, Ringtail, and Choprock canyons before returning via 25 mile wash. Roughly 20 miles of slot canyons, red rock and green trees. Plenty-O-Water in the Escalante river.</p>

<p>A VERY rough path. You'll want to study the best places to exit the Escalante River canyon. <br>

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/60092457/EscalanteHike.kmz (Google Earth)</p>

<p>http://www.landscapeimagery.com/escalante.html</p>

<p>Or any one of a zillion similar hikes in the general area.</p>

 

<p>I'm with Phil. The Escalante and Capitol Reef area. Off the beaten path and absolutely spectacular.</p>

 

<p>Thanks all. This is very useful. I've got it down to three, I think. In no particular order:</p>

<p>(a) Escalante River, downcanyon from either the townsite or from UT 12, with side canyons as available. Upside: lots of ambient water means 5 day trip with a light pack, could cover a lot of ground. Downside: wet feet in November. Have to think about this one.</p>

<p>(b) Canyonlands-- Needles District. A 3 day (2 night) trip, maybe to Chesler, a night in the tourist campground with a shower, and an overnighter, maybe Lost Canyon. Downside: no water, or scarce anyway.</p>

<p>© Death Valley-- 3 overnights, punctuated by nights in the tourist campground at Stovepipe Wells. Upside: showers and real food/beer every second night. Downside: no water, and done it before.</p>

<p>Thinking about Paria too. I'll figure that one out over the next week or so before I make plans. I'll post a photo or two in December when I've got my film back (probably all C41 this trip). Thanks to everybody and best wishes.</p>

<p>Same area, but around Mexican Hat and the San Juan River through Goosenecks State park</p>

<p>That is a lovely area as well. Get there before sunrise and greet the sun.</p>

<p>Right on the money. Dawn and dusk is where the action is.</p>

<p>One good thing about November is that the sun's at a lower angle, which is usually to your advantage as a landscaper. You pay for it with the short daylight hours, but that means you don't have to get up too early to catch sunrise.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice about the San Juan region-- I'll look into that as well. </p>

 

<p>There is a lovely B&B about ten miles outside of Mexican Hat. I've stayed the a couple of times. It is one of my favorite places on the planet. At least ten miles from the nearest electric light and it has some of the finest night skies I have ever seen.</p>