Backpacking - Needles District, Canyonlands NP (Extreme)

*This is a lottery event. You will be notified on March 8th if you got in. If you are on the waiting list, you will be notified as spots open up.

** MUST have previously backpacked covering at least 10 miles in 2 days in the past year; hike at least 5 miles in one go with a pack of 35+ lbs

Itinerary:

Thursday -

6:30 am Lehi

7:00 am Springville

12:00 Elephant Hill Trailhead

12:30 pm - Hike in

Friday - 

Saturday - 

Back at Trailhead by 11:00 AM

Noon - lunch in Moab

Activity: Backpacking Needles District - 20 miles total (1/2 with a full pack) - Chester Loop Trail 10.2 mile loop with Druid Arch side trip. Be aware that it will feel longer because the trail consists of scrambling up and down steep fins and slickrock. Climbing and descending ladders or assisting and spotting each other may be required. Plan for your backpack to be heavy due to bringing a minimum of 6 Liters of water per person. It is not expected to encounter any sources of filterable water once we leave the trailhead. All Trails Trip Report - Chester Loop; All Trails Trip Report - Druid Arch 

Day 1 -

Day 2 - 

Day 3 - 

Note: It's recommended for you to start wearing your weighted pack and the shoes you plan to wear several times a week to get used to it, especially since may be your first backpacking trip of the season

Gear: 45+ liter backpack with waistbelt, 6 L water, water filter, stove and fuel (if cooking food), spoon or fork, camping knife or multitool, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees (down preferred), synthetic T-shirt, thin long-sleeve synthetic shirt, fleece, thin puffy coat, rain jacket, shorts or thin hiking pants, thin synthetic pant for sleeping, running shoes, neoprene socks (optional), sandals with a back strap, 2 pairs of socks, 8-10 snacks, dinner, breakfast, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit, headlamp, toiletries, WAG bag (2 gallon ziplock bags with kitty litter for pooping),  Gaia map app - download area Fri morning

Rentals (for 2 days):

1. Tents (2 man - $13, 4 man - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 2 man - $14, 4 man - $18 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

2. Sleeping bags (0 degree - $22, 30 degree - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 0 degree - $14, 30 degree - $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

3. Sleeping pads (thermarest - $9 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; thermarest - $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

4. Backpacks (85 liter - $12 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 65 liter - $14 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

5. Stove with fuel ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

6. Mess kit ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

7. Water Filter ($6 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

Guide: Elisa Opt Hof 801-836-0585

Base Commander: Emily Hacken 801-860-4591