Solo Hiker--First time at BIBE

[russco]

Thanks, Roy. I have spent so much time at the NPS website recently, I might as well work for their IT department. I still did not get a lot of clarity as to wether not I could just pull up, park my car, fill out a permit and hike to the shore. Or park at a marina, rent a kayak, and paddle out from there to a site on the shore. Perhaps, I missed something...but i was just hoping to hear from someone who had been there...

Smack,
 I would go to the Grand_Canyon_Hikers yahoo e group and ask around there. Those guys are all about that area and ery nice to boot! Good luck!

[elhombre]

The marinas around Page are the best places for what you want to do.  They have the rental places for all kinds of boats and with your car, you are kinda stuck there.  I stayed on the shore of the southern fork of Warm Creek bay but what I remember about the road is you need higher clearance than your Honda.  The road is actually a creek bed down to the lake. 
     I am heading out there in a month for vacation and have been looking at the Vermillian Cliffs national monument.  It is about 30 miles south of Page.  There are good roads to the trailheads and there are some slot canyons (cathedral wash) that my 4 yr old can do.  What I am looking at is the area called the "Wave".  A picture of the place is on the front cover of the Rand Mcnally 06 road atlas.  Free camping (BLM land) everywhere.

[mule ears]

  What I am looking at is the area called the "Wave".  A picture of the place is on the front cover of the Rand Mcnally 06 road atlas.  Free camping (BLM land) everywhere.

The Wave/Coyote Buttes requires a permit and is only for day use, right now the website for it does not seem to come up but just so you know.  It's neighbor Paria Canyon also is by permit for overnight use.  May is a busy time there too.

Have fun

[Boot Canyon 1 Cougar]

Smack,

So glad you'll be checking out Big Bend.  You'll love it.

When you are in Silver City, N.M., you will be in the midst of the very first Wilderness Area in the United States--which was in great part due to the work of the father of wildlife management and  modern ecology, Aldo Leopold.

The Gila Wilderness is, I'm told, a great place to spend some time.

The Aldo Leopold Wilderness is absolutely a great place to spend some time--I had a 3 day, 2 night solo trek in Fall 2005. (McKnight Cabin/Water Canyon/Murphree Place/Holden Prong/Crest Trail) It is very challenging--not for the faint of heart--but the reward outweighs all other factors.

These are rugged, unspoiled areas.  You may see no one for several days.  I saw no one my entire trek (but did see lots of bear scat, and a lynx, and mountain lion paw prints)

Since it is not as "well publicized" as other National Forests/National Parks, information is more difficult to obtain.  If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me.

[Boojum1]

On your Utah swing, don't forget Capitol Reef. Many people just drive through it as it's between Arches and Bryce. Once off the main road, it's big and empty and beautiful, like Big Bend, only redder.

Yup.  Fewer visitors than Arches or Zion, but really nice, really scenic.

[Smack]

Howdy and a hearty thank you to all those who helped me plan this visit.
 I went and stayed for 3 nights. I arrived at the Chisos Basin late in the afternoon the first day so I warmed up with the Basin Loop. The next day I took my time and relxed and only did the Lost Mine Trail which was beautiful. The following day I set off for the S. Rim via the Pinnacles trail. I took the time to do the extra 2 miles to hike up to Emory Peak and back, totally worth it. I was lucky and had cloud cover all afternoon until I got to the top. I spent the night on the SW Rim trail(the SE was closed for the Peregrines) and hiked back down the Laguna Meadows. Great hike, astounding views and great weather. It couldn't have gone better. I can't wait to be back.

Oh and by the way, in regards to what Boot Canyon Cougar said; I just got back from 2 days in the Gila wilderness...that place is awesome! Forget the cilff dwellings at the visitor center. There are dwellings everywhere in the wilderness! Ancient artwork on the walls, spearheads and pottery all over the place, crazy rock formations and not a human soul within miles. If you get the chance to go, do it, it's sick out there!

Thanks again and happy hiking!

[presidio]

Gila wilderness... Forget the cilff dwellings at the visitor center. There are dwellings everywhere in the wilderness! Ancient artwork on the walls, spearheads and pottery all over the place, crazy rock formations and not a human soul within miles.

But, if you do that you have to miss stamping your park passport, attending the nightly campfire program, hiking with a numbered and illustrated trail guide in hand, camping in a safe, controlled campground, stopping by the visitor center for hints and tips on what to do, passing up the opportunity to buy books and tourist stuff......AND....b eing on your own with no one to look after you!!!! 

Yep, bypassing the monument there gives you wholly different and better experience. It's wild vs. packaged.

[Roy]

Glad you had a good time, Smack.  Hope I can get pout there myself at least once this year.

Gila Wilderness is unique in that it is (or was) administered by the Forestry Service.  I found this out when I visited during the government shutdown during Elder Bush's administration.  All the other parks/wilderness areas were closed, but the forestry service had the funds to keep Gila open.  They seemed to have a different attititude towards visitors, more like "have a good time, do whatever you want, just don't steal anything or burn the place down".