Spring Break 2017 Utah Needles District - Trip Number Two!

Want to go backpacking in Canyonlands National Park? (yes, you do) If so, keep reading!

Where: Canyonlands National Park: Needles District

When: Saturday 3/18 through Saturday 3/25

Weather: Days in the 70-80F range, overnight lows around 30F.

How: We will be driving two Fleet sedans, or two personal vehicles.

Cost:

Option 1: 7 participants (including 2 leaders) and 2 person vehicles. ~$300

Option 2: 7 participants (including 2 leaders) and 2 fleet vehicles. ~$400

This will cover backcountry food, gas, and maybe a night or two at a hotel. The more people who sign up, the cheaper it will be. Left over money at the end of the trip will be divided among the trip participants at the end of the trip equally. To claim a spot on this trip, a deposit of $400 is required. This does not cover meals off trail! Pay via Venmo to Mark Strayer @Mark-Strayer-2. (Venmo is easy and free, and much easier to keep track of than cash or check).

Who: Participants MUST BE UW fleet certified! (instructions here: http://www.hooferleaders.org/fleet-vehicle-training-usage . You can also get certified in the Outdoor UW office). The C2 Land Rating is ALSO REAQUIRED. 

Mileage: About 18 miles total, not including afternoon exploration. (!)

Itinerary:

Saturday 18: Depart from Madison at 7am. Spend the night in North Platte, NE at a hotel.

Sunday 19: Drive from North Platte to Canyonlands National Park. Sleep in a front country campsite at Squaw Flats.

Monday 20: Hike from Squaw Flats to Chelser Park 5 (6 miles)

Tuesday 21: Hike from Chelser Park 5 to Elephant Canyon 3, hike around and explore! Potentially hike back to Druid Arch without heavy packs. (2 miles)

Wednesday 22: Hike from Elephant Canyon 3 to Lost Canyon 2 (5 miles)

Thursday 23: Hike from Lost Canyon 2 to Lost Canyon 1, set up camp, hike around! (1 mile)

Friday 24: Hike out. Drive to North Platte. (3 miles)

Saturday 25: Drive back to Madison

Map: https://caltopo.com/m/EJER

How much experience do I need to do this trip?

This is a C3 level trip (intermediate backpacking), so a C2 rating is required for this trip. This means you must have gone on a C2 level trip AND recieved your C2 rating*. If you haven’t gone on a C2 trip, but you have previous backpacking experience, talk to our Land Safety Chair, Ryan Stowe.

Critical personal gear you need to have:

• 3-season sleeping bag (20°F rating minimum)

• Sleeping pad

• Hiking boots (broken in)

If you have ANY questions about gear, contact me (Mark Strayer) in person at a weekly meeting, or via email by using the trip page.

* If you have participated in a C2 trip and HAVE NOT received your rating, do not fret. We’ve had some trouble with website updates, but will be assigning said ratings soon! (We’re sorry!)

How do I sign up?

1. Fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/W4B8iWqyKKe3DNzn1

2. If you are fleet certified and have your C2 rating, we will add you to the waitlist. 

3. Pay the trip deposit of $400 via Venmo to Mark Strayer (@Mark-Strayer-2) 

4. We will add you to the participant list.

The trip is full, can I go on the waitlist?

Yes! The wait list is first come first serve and does not require a trip deposit. However, if a spot opens up, to move off the waitlist, a trip deposit is required.

Again, if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me (Mark Strayer) via the trip page, or talk to me at one of the weekly meetings at 7pm in the Mendota Lodge.