Scott Brady
Founder
Bummer, I will be in CA that week 
Have fun guys!!!
Have fun guys!!!
trek to Rainbow Bridge, March 2006 (revised to Sycamore Canyon)
- Thread starter articulate
- Start date
articulate
Expedition Leader
I have paperwork "in the mail" for backcountry permits coming to me. Also, I've spoken to a few other friends and folks about the trek with the typical response of, "yeah, sure I'll go." We'll see.
Otherwise, we're basically waiting for the weekend to come and anyone to join in. :victory:
I'll work up a little map action and a better itinerary shortly. :box:
Cheers,
Mark
Otherwise, we're basically waiting for the weekend to come and anyone to join in. :victory:
I'll work up a little map action and a better itinerary shortly. :box:
Cheers,
Mark
Wanderlusty
Explorer
Ursidae69 said:
If this drought keeps up, you may still get that chance....
Well, probably not, but I know that it was really low in March when we went thru there, and it certainly hasn't gotten any wetter out that way.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Update
Ok, I've now got several other folks lined up for the fun (see first post).
While it's still weeks away, here is my schedule:
Friday 10th: Leave phoenix by 5:00 pm and drive to Tuba City. I've made a hotel reservation at Quality Inn Navajo Nation, Phone: (928) 283-4545.
Saturday 11th: Up early-ish and drive to the trailhead (approximately 1.5 hours). Hike 7-8 miles in to Cliff Canyon after a steep descent of 1700 feet in 1.3 miles. Pick up water and continue on to select a camp site before Redbud Pass. If we're feeling good and have plenty of hours left, we can continue into Redbud Creek after climbing up a gnarly slot canyon (about another mile) and camp there.
Sunday 12th: Day hike 4 miles (one way) to Rainbow Bridge, at personal leisure. Back to camp.
Monday 13th: Hike out, drive home. I'm considering going to bed extra early on Sunday and waking around 2:00 am to make the hike out since the drive back will be pretty long. I've done this on other backpack trips and I like the method.
I've attached a map of the trail for kicks and giggles - it's not a detailed topo. Also, the other picture is of Redbud Pass, the "gnarly" slot canyon between the 2 good areas to camp.
Since the above is so heavy on tech facts, let's not underestimate the important stuff. This trail traverses through some of the most gorgeous sandstone canyons in the Navajo Nation. The hiking will be extraordinarily rewarding.
Cheers,
Mark
Ok, I've now got several other folks lined up for the fun (see first post).
While it's still weeks away, here is my schedule:
Friday 10th: Leave phoenix by 5:00 pm and drive to Tuba City. I've made a hotel reservation at Quality Inn Navajo Nation, Phone: (928) 283-4545.
Saturday 11th: Up early-ish and drive to the trailhead (approximately 1.5 hours). Hike 7-8 miles in to Cliff Canyon after a steep descent of 1700 feet in 1.3 miles. Pick up water and continue on to select a camp site before Redbud Pass. If we're feeling good and have plenty of hours left, we can continue into Redbud Creek after climbing up a gnarly slot canyon (about another mile) and camp there.
Sunday 12th: Day hike 4 miles (one way) to Rainbow Bridge, at personal leisure. Back to camp.
Monday 13th: Hike out, drive home. I'm considering going to bed extra early on Sunday and waking around 2:00 am to make the hike out since the drive back will be pretty long. I've done this on other backpack trips and I like the method.
I've attached a map of the trail for kicks and giggles - it's not a detailed topo. Also, the other picture is of Redbud Pass, the "gnarly" slot canyon between the 2 good areas to camp.
Since the above is so heavy on tech facts, let's not underestimate the important stuff. This trail traverses through some of the most gorgeous sandstone canyons in the Navajo Nation. The hiking will be extraordinarily rewarding.
Cheers,
Mark
Attachments
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
I gave my boss notice that I will be out of town that weekend, returning on Monday. My class schedule has changed a bit (for the better!). I only have one class on Fridays now, I am out by 10:00am. I do have a test that day (which is 30% of my final grade), so I can't skip out totally....BUT! I will be able to make it to PHX in time for lunch.
With regards to the early exit idea on Monday morning.....any idea about the luminosity we are expecting? I rather enjoy moonlight hikes (had a AWESOME moonlight backpack trip down Marble Canyon in Death Valley a couple years ago)....but if the terrain is exceptionally rough and it is too dark to see well....I avoid moving much at night with a load on my back. It might be a good option though....I am usually in bed early on backpacking trips anyway.
This is gonna be a cool trip! I do have a couple questions though (responses will not affect my attendance, just need to make sure I cover all the bases).
We discussed finding a psuedo-secure parking site, and car-pooling in a rental vehicle or two to the trail head, as vehicle security is a concern in the area. Is this still the plan? Do we have alternate plans? Or are we all just going to risk leaving our vehicles at the trail head?
Second, do you know of any restrictions on animals? Some areas (such as Aravaipa canyon, for example) they are not allowed. As most people know, I travel with my dog...She is overly friendly and a true pleasure to have on the trails (just watch out for the tail from HELL! :smilies27 ).
With regards to the early exit idea on Monday morning.....any idea about the luminosity we are expecting? I rather enjoy moonlight hikes (had a AWESOME moonlight backpack trip down Marble Canyon in Death Valley a couple years ago)....but if the terrain is exceptionally rough and it is too dark to see well....I avoid moving much at night with a load on my back. It might be a good option though....I am usually in bed early on backpacking trips anyway.
This is gonna be a cool trip! I do have a couple questions though (responses will not affect my attendance, just need to make sure I cover all the bases).
We discussed finding a psuedo-secure parking site, and car-pooling in a rental vehicle or two to the trail head, as vehicle security is a concern in the area. Is this still the plan? Do we have alternate plans? Or are we all just going to risk leaving our vehicles at the trail head?
Second, do you know of any restrictions on animals? Some areas (such as Aravaipa canyon, for example) they are not allowed. As most people know, I travel with my dog...She is overly friendly and a true pleasure to have on the trails (just watch out for the tail from HELL! :smilies27 ).
articulate
Expedition Leader
Excellent!!!goodtimes said:
Hmm, I have no idea about moonlight. Good point though. We will make the final decision when we are there - to get a good idea of how everybody feels about it and what the trail is actually like. Fair?GT said:
Vehicle: I've started to waiver on the rental. I can be persuaded, but I'm just presuming that all I'm leaving in the car is water and comfy shoes, and a change of clothing. If we could rent a Suburban or something with some size, that would be ideal. Maybe I can make a phone call or two today.GT said:
As for the dog: The permit I got from the Navajo Nation says pets are allowed so long as they are on a leash. I think it'd be awesome to have your pooch along; that would be fun. So have at it. :sunny:
One caveat about that, though, is that we'd definately have to separate into two vehicles. My problem is that I'm alergic to dog and cat dander (asthma). Being on the hike and at camp will be just fine for me - and I love dogs; we hiked for seven days this past summer with a dog and I had no problems, plus I enjoyed it. Don't confuse my alergic reaction with a disdain for dogs - that's not the case. If I go to someone's house or ride in their car (with dogs/cats), my asthma works up and hangs around for hours. SO....piling into one vehicle with your dog in it will be detrimental to my health/performance for the first leg of the hike.
I hope that's cool with you....? Don't let that determine whether or not you'll bring the pooch.
Later,
Mark
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
Ok, I'll plan on bringing the mongeral....I don't think we will all fit into one vehicle anyway...not with all of our gear anyway. As time draws near, we'll figure it out. An option would be to transport people in a large rental (suburban, passenger van, etc), and gear in a truck.....unless someone knows somewhere to rent a 15 passenger van (do you need a special endorsement in AZ to drive that large of a van? some states you do.....)
Final decision on the dog will be much closer to the trip....I'm still evaluating her knee injury from last year. She has not been on any long hikes since then, but it is improving as time goes on...still not sure if she is up to that long of a trek though.
As for the early hike out, I'm good with waiting until the trip and seeing how everyone feels at that point.
Final decision on the dog will be much closer to the trip....I'm still evaluating her knee injury from last year. She has not been on any long hikes since then, but it is improving as time goes on...still not sure if she is up to that long of a trek though.
As for the early hike out, I'm good with waiting until the trip and seeing how everyone feels at that point.
articulate
Expedition Leader
I don't think you have to have a special license for a 15 passenger. I'll see about rental costs. Work is crazy today, so I won't get to it until Monday. Time is on our side right now.
For fun, I did get this image from Josh, one of the other hikers. It shows about the last 3 miles of the hike, which is in that winding canyon:
Hiking in this red rock wonderland should be way cool.
Later,
Mark
For fun, I did get this image from Josh, one of the other hikers. It shows about the last 3 miles of the hike, which is in that winding canyon:
Hiking in this red rock wonderland should be way cool.
Later,
Mark
articulate
Expedition Leader
Hey looky there....Aaron has the skinny on the 15 passenger vans.
Thanks, Aaron.
Mark
Thanks, Aaron.
Mark
Ursidae69
Traveller
I'm still going back and forth. I'm not sure of two things, my cardiovascular shape for doing this hike and my vacation time I am trying to save right now. I would have to take Friday and Monday off. I might just wait for the trip report. If Brian ends up making it, I know I'll be able to make it when I plan a trip there.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Understood. It'd be cool to have you (or anyone else) along for the fun. Especially that you're the Navigation Winner, 2005 Expedition Trophy. We want to see how good you really are. :beer:Ursidae69 said:I'm still going back and forth. I'm not sure of two things, my cardiovascular shape for doing this hike and my vacation time I am trying to save right now. I would have to take Friday and Monday off. I might just wait for the trip report. If Brian ends up making it, I know I'll be able to make it when I plan a trip there.
We gonna have lots o' photos.
Mark