Southern-UT/Northern-AZ in Early-May

Planning a trip to southern and eastern Utah and far-northern Arizona in late April into early May. Stew has said he's interested in crossing paths with me in that area. Anyone else interested?

I don't know where or when exactly...but in my soon-to-be-retired state, I can be flexible.

Maybe a little (or not-so-little?) WTW rendezvous...

I've been to this area several times over the years: Escalante, Lake Powell, Valley o' Gods, Monument Valley, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Toroweep, Zion, San Rafael Reef/Swell, etc...but the last time was 6 years ago, and I don't really consider myself an expert.

So... Who might be and/or want to be in the area at the same time?

I'll probably be due for a vacation around then... I'll caution you that my wife and I have a 2 year old though!

Just came back a week or so ago and am interested in another trip but I have to be in Illinois around April 20, haven't quite decided on how to travel to that, truck, bike, fly. Anyway I might suggest the South Cathedral Wash area about 9 mile NE of Goblin Valley. It is an OHV camp area, there was no one there when I visited. From there lots of roads to explore, some 2 wd, some rougher, plus single track for bikes/cycles. Lower elevations can start getting warm then but it is usually pretty easy to get a bit higher and stay comfortable. Capital Reef

As always, I recommend highly the one day river trip with Wild River Expeditions. You start in Bluff Utah, ending in Mexican Hat, Az. Great trip, good food, excellent guide. http://www.riversandruins.com/

4 miles to the west of Bluff there is an excellent "secret" campsite the locals call Gold Camp. You cross the airstrip out of town, veer left and work your way down to the San Juan River. Just don't tell anyone else about it! (Wild Rivers Exp. will even pick you up from this camp for your river trip).

I'm headed that way over Easter weekend, so that gets my vote for a date.

The first week of April works best for me as I'll still be in Tucson the week after Easter.

The first week of April works best for me as I'll still be in Tucson the week after Easter.

Stew -- Do you mean the first week of May?...since Easter is at the end of April...?

Stew -- Do you mean the first week of May?...since Easter is at the end of April...?

Ya, first week of May. Sorry about that!

As always, I recommend highly the one day river trip with Wild River Expeditions. You start in Bluff Utah, ending in Mexican Hat, Az. Great trip, good food, excellent guide. http://www.riversandruins.com/

4 miles to the west of Bluff there is an excellent "secret" campsite the locals call Gold Camp. You cross the airstrip out of town, veer left and work your way down to the San Juan River. Just don't tell anyone else about it! (Wild Rivers Exp. will even pick you up from this camp for your river trip).

I agree with Gene take the river trip and camp at Gold Mine but Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's a secret.

Some secret... Had to wait for another FWCer to clear out the last time I went down there -




But when I got my turn there, I got a nice sunset to remember it by -





I'll be headed down to that corner SoUT in a couple of weeks... No idea exactly where yet but it doesn't matter. It's all good!