Hiking in The Maze of Island in the Sky, Canyonlands, Utah
May 25th, 2009, 10:14 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hiking in The Maze of Island in the Sky, Canyonlands, Utah
We just returned from 4 days in Moab, hiking Arches, Dead Horse and Canyonlands, not having enough time to do the Maze in Island in the Sky, but hope to include it in next trip, as eager to see the pictographs of the Great Gallery. Can anyone share their experience with that hike, length, difficulty, time needed, etc? I've also tried to find overnight 4X4 guided tours in the Maze that might be combined with a Cataract Raft tour, but only find half day jeep trips in other sections of Canyonlands. Is the Maze only accessible on foot? What Moab, back country outfitters have others here used with happy results?
We live in Cedar City, UT and each time I visit a park (even for the 4,5,6th time) I can't wait to begin planning the return. Am now researching canyon campsites & hikes for our annual Aug. & Oct. house boat weeks on Powell, but hope to get back to Canyonlands in Sept. So much to experience....so little time.
Thanks,
Randi
We live in Cedar City, UT and each time I visit a park (even for the 4,5,6th time) I can't wait to begin planning the return. Am now researching canyon campsites & hikes for our annual Aug. & Oct. house boat weeks on Powell, but hope to get back to Canyonlands in Sept. So much to experience....so little time.
Thanks,
Randi
May 26th, 2009, 05:07 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't help you with the Canyonlands part of your question but, we have hiked into the Great Gallery. Our account of that hike starts on this page of our trip report:
Look for the image titled tueday 9/4
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr&page=9
There's also good information about the hike here:
http://www.utahoutdoors.com/pages/horseshoecanyon.htm
and there's even a video of the hike on youtube:
http://www.utahoutdoors.com/pages/horseshoecanyon.htm
Look for the image titled tueday 9/4
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr&page=9
There's also good information about the hike here:
http://www.utahoutdoors.com/pages/horseshoecanyon.htm
and there's even a video of the hike on youtube:
http://www.utahoutdoors.com/pages/horseshoecanyon.htm
May 26th, 2009, 07:00 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Randi,
I was going to refer you to Peterboy's excellent trip report. The Great Gallery is actually in the Maze District of Canyonlands, but you get there off the hwy that runs between Hanksville and Goblin Valley. It's 30 mi in on a graded dirt road that does become washboarded and completely impassible during and after rain, so I'm told.
I tried to go on my trip this year (mid-May), but it had already become too hot for me! I'll try again this fall or next April.
Be careful and have fun
I was going to refer you to Peterboy's excellent trip report. The Great Gallery is actually in the Maze District of Canyonlands, but you get there off the hwy that runs between Hanksville and Goblin Valley. It's 30 mi in on a graded dirt road that does become washboarded and completely impassible during and after rain, so I'm told.
I tried to go on my trip this year (mid-May), but it had already become too hot for me! I'll try again this fall or next April.
Be careful and have fun
Jun 5th, 2009, 05:09 AM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did a trip report about some hiking we did in the area. My report is on this forum, if you click my name it will come up. There are petroglyphs and pictographs in needles district also and if you're into the Basketmaker type pictographs, do visit Buckhorn Wash and Thompson Wash (Sego Canyon).
Jun 5th, 2009, 10:55 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Horseshoe Canyon can be accessed at the end of a 36 mile dirt road, passable by passenger car in dry weather if driven with care. There is primitive camping allowed at the trailhead which has a vault toilet. (bring your own toilet paper as there may be none) No camping is allowed in Horseshoe Canyon itself. There is no water at the trailhead nor usually along the trail. In addition to the Great Gallery there are several other pictograph sites you will pass along the way.
Unless accompanied by ranger or NPS volunteer you are not allowed on the wall below the Great Gallery itself. These tours are usually available on weekends from mid-Sept to late-Oct. Check out http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisi...shoecanyon.htm.
Hike itself is not difficult but walking in the sand and the 750' climb out can be so after a long day out in the sun.
Unless accompanied by ranger or NPS volunteer you are not allowed on the wall below the Great Gallery itself. These tours are usually available on weekends from mid-Sept to late-Oct. Check out http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisi...shoecanyon.htm.
Hike itself is not difficult but walking in the sand and the 750' climb out can be so after a long day out in the sun.
Jun 12th, 2009, 08:58 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks all for the great info.
Peterboy....your wonderful trip report into the Great Gallery is probably as close as I'll get so appreciate your effort & photos.
I can do a 7.5 mile hike, but hauling my middle aged, less than slim profile, up & down the elevations, sand & rock of The Maze might require a helicopter bail out on the return, or a night spent with the rattly critters.
We're having s wonderfully wet Spring in UT, which is always welcome, but doesn't make for safe afternoon trail returns through washes. That's when all day hikes in the back country, get iffy, as you indicated by keeping your eyes on the sky and footsteps quick on the hike out.
My husband and I just returned from an impromtu drive to Torrey ("Hey, where do you want to go today?...2 1/2 hrs. from home) stopping at Fish Lake to make Fall camping reservations and down Hwy 12 to Boulder (the Singletree campground, site # 16, on Hwy 12 is particularly beautiful) for a fabulous dinner at Hells Backbone Grill (equally good breakfast the next morning) room at Pole's Place (Mtn. View Lodge was "no vacancy" ) basic, but very clean, firm mattress that suited my middle aged back, good service & pretty flower pots. We didn't have enough time to do the Burr Trail this visit, as we did last time, but would always recommend it....exciting drive that requires a bit of nerve, but not 4x4.
For anyone stopping in, or going through, Boulder, I would recommend buying Blake & Jen's: "A Measure of Grace" recipe and life adventure book that's sold at the Grill. It made me want to donate my worldly stuff, hook up the tent trailer, drop anchor in Boulder and apply for; dish washing, veggie chopping, mint picking, napkin folding, water pouring, toilet cleaning....anything useful....for "Helles" & her elevated community that is Boulder, UT.
That area of UT is the path less traveled, but another amazing gift from Nature that I always look forward to returning to.
Randi
Peterboy....your wonderful trip report into the Great Gallery is probably as close as I'll get so appreciate your effort & photos.
I can do a 7.5 mile hike, but hauling my middle aged, less than slim profile, up & down the elevations, sand & rock of The Maze might require a helicopter bail out on the return, or a night spent with the rattly critters.
We're having s wonderfully wet Spring in UT, which is always welcome, but doesn't make for safe afternoon trail returns through washes. That's when all day hikes in the back country, get iffy, as you indicated by keeping your eyes on the sky and footsteps quick on the hike out.
My husband and I just returned from an impromtu drive to Torrey ("Hey, where do you want to go today?...2 1/2 hrs. from home) stopping at Fish Lake to make Fall camping reservations and down Hwy 12 to Boulder (the Singletree campground, site # 16, on Hwy 12 is particularly beautiful) for a fabulous dinner at Hells Backbone Grill (equally good breakfast the next morning) room at Pole's Place (Mtn. View Lodge was "no vacancy" ) basic, but very clean, firm mattress that suited my middle aged back, good service & pretty flower pots. We didn't have enough time to do the Burr Trail this visit, as we did last time, but would always recommend it....exciting drive that requires a bit of nerve, but not 4x4.
For anyone stopping in, or going through, Boulder, I would recommend buying Blake & Jen's: "A Measure of Grace" recipe and life adventure book that's sold at the Grill. It made me want to donate my worldly stuff, hook up the tent trailer, drop anchor in Boulder and apply for; dish washing, veggie chopping, mint picking, napkin folding, water pouring, toilet cleaning....anything useful....for "Helles" & her elevated community that is Boulder, UT.
That area of UT is the path less traveled, but another amazing gift from Nature that I always look forward to returning to.
Randi
Jun 14th, 2009, 03:46 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RandiRA -
I envy your dinner and breakfast at Hell's Backbone Grill, always a highlight of one of our Utah trips. Last trip, we had a wonderful room at Boulder Mtn Inn and experienced a phenomenal dinner with really good wine followed by a nighttime dip in the hottub. Thanks for the memories!
By the way, we bought the cookbook a few trips back and have made the Spicy Cowgirl Meatloaf and Backbone sauce many times. It's so good!
I envy your dinner and breakfast at Hell's Backbone Grill, always a highlight of one of our Utah trips. Last trip, we had a wonderful room at Boulder Mtn Inn and experienced a phenomenal dinner with really good wine followed by a nighttime dip in the hottub. Thanks for the memories!
By the way, we bought the cookbook a few trips back and have made the Spicy Cowgirl Meatloaf and Backbone sauce many times. It's so good!
Jun 25th, 2009, 02:15 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Sharondi
I'm currently working my way through the recipes of "With a Measure of Grace", the chile-honey dressing being almost a nightly favorite.
I felt a bit dumb when a San Francisco friend called to read an enthusiastic review of Hell's Backbone Grill, in a bay area newspaper and I knew nothing about it. We only go through Boulder on our way to Hanksville, via the Burr Trail (for the thrill of it) or up Hwy 12 to Torrey and Capitol Reef. Helle's did not disappoint and look forward to returning.
Your trip reports are fabulous. I envied your desire, enery and resolve to experience the Great Gallery. Thanks for the photos.
I'll soon be getting out my Lake Powell house boating check list. We do two weeks a year...Aug. & Oct. We've rented out of Wahweap in the past, which is closer to home, but now have shared ownership out of Hall's Crossing at the northern end of the lake, which gives us another excuse to stop in Boulder.
I would recommend Lake Powell for anyone visiting UT and looking for a beautiful, unique experience. If you think that the landscape and star filled nights are amazing from land, you can imagine what it's like on the water.....and what water it is.
Think of the blue skies and tall red cliffs of Canyonlands as seen from floating on your back in warm, blue water!
I'm currently working my way through the recipes of "With a Measure of Grace", the chile-honey dressing being almost a nightly favorite.
I felt a bit dumb when a San Francisco friend called to read an enthusiastic review of Hell's Backbone Grill, in a bay area newspaper and I knew nothing about it. We only go through Boulder on our way to Hanksville, via the Burr Trail (for the thrill of it) or up Hwy 12 to Torrey and Capitol Reef. Helle's did not disappoint and look forward to returning.
Your trip reports are fabulous. I envied your desire, enery and resolve to experience the Great Gallery. Thanks for the photos.
I'll soon be getting out my Lake Powell house boating check list. We do two weeks a year...Aug. & Oct. We've rented out of Wahweap in the past, which is closer to home, but now have shared ownership out of Hall's Crossing at the northern end of the lake, which gives us another excuse to stop in Boulder.
I would recommend Lake Powell for anyone visiting UT and looking for a beautiful, unique experience. If you think that the landscape and star filled nights are amazing from land, you can imagine what it's like on the water.....and what water it is.
Think of the blue skies and tall red cliffs of Canyonlands as seen from floating on your back in warm, blue water!
