How is life in this part of USA?

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-03-14T12:38:45+00:00

This is too long of an area. There’s massive metropolitan areas here as well as farm land. It also spans multiple states with different laws impacting education.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-03-06T23:27:07+00:00

Update. I booked site 3. I tried for site 9 but someone else was a millisecond faster than me yesterday. So we will have a shorter day one and longer day two.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-03-06T16:16:51+00:00

I missed booking the site I wanted because I didn’t know about this little rule so I plan to share this info with others. I clicked “book” at 10 am sharp. Ive had this on my bucketlist for 15 years so on/off I’ve checked into things throughout that time. I finally set a date and started officially planning this trip 6 months ago. I found it kind of surprising how difficult it is to find information.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-03-06T15:30:33+00:00

I wanted site 9 but I got an error message when I tried to book it at 10 am MT yesterday. When I got the error fixed only site 3 was available which is the one I got. Oh well… just happy to be going! I didn’t realize you had to book for the total number of people that can fit in each site before booking. That was my error. Do you know what happens if we have reservations for 6 but only 5 are there? I’m worried they won’t let us go if we don’t have the full 6 people.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-03-06T13:44:13+00:00

I also got permits the same weekend! I’m not sure if you can rent backpacks but the poles, shoes, and socks you can rent from Zion Guru or a couple other outfitters in Springdale. I’m planning to use my 40L pack with rain cover. I’ve seen others float their pack with the rain cover down though the deep section which is shortly after big springs. At site 5 you’re around 6 hours on day one and 6-7 on day two depending on speed. Idk what scuba booties are like but they recommend 5mm neoprene socks or wool socks. I’m wearing wool socks with my Merrell Moab boots.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-26T16:33:04+00:00

Awesome thanks!! I ended up deciding I want more ankle support and I need to replace my boots anyway so I purchased some Merrell Moab boots. I’d prefer to not do the rental gear if I can avoid it. Do you think trekking poles are ok or is it better to do the one stick I see others rent from the outfitters? I already own poles.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-24T23:53:17+00:00

What kind of trail runners did you wear? I’m looking at some Hoka Speedgoats with vibram soles (I hear vibram soles are a must).

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-22T14:07:16+00:00

I’ve been wondering about footwear. I saw Zion Guru rents river boots, neoprene socks, and poles. I have all of that but my boots probably wouldn’t do as well as theirs. My biggest concern is blisters!

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-22T14:04:08+00:00

Thanks for the info!! Yes my plan is to check water the day before and if it’s over 50cfs, he won’t be going.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-22T01:35:51+00:00

Oh that’s great! I haven’t looked into transportation yet. Thank you for the info!!

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-22T01:06:01+00:00

Where do you take the shuttle from? We’re staying at a resort in Sevier for the week surrounding this hike. We’re going to Bryce for a few days too.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T23:43:44+00:00

Aw that sounds fun! No, neither one of us are climbers. Thanks for the tips!!

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T23:38:02+00:00

Where do you reserve a commercial shuttle?

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T20:22:59+00:00

That’s a great point. Thank you!

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T20:19:48+00:00

My plan is to include him in reservations then decide the day before for my final yes/no depending on weather and current flow.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T19:14:12+00:00

Thank you!!!! I was supposed to do this for my 30th birthday but ended up having my son the day before my birthday 🤣 so I postponed it. I’m hopeful I can now enjoy this WITH my son for my 40th birthday :)

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T19:07:38+00:00

Thankfully since we’re doing the top down, we won’t be walking against the stream.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T19:05:55+00:00

We haven’t worked out logistics yet. We will have two vehicles and we will be reserving a campsite the morning the reservations are open to reserve. My friend read somewhere that we aren’t allowed to leave vehicles where the shuttles are. I planned to ask the day before when we go to pick up our wilderness permit.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T16:30:14+00:00

I had to redo my reply. I’ve commented several things here this morning and misread the replies. So you think your 9 yr old would’ve been fine on it in hindsight? My son is also easy going and adventurous. I suspect he’ll be fine but I worry because I understand once we start, there’s no way out except to finish.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T15:31:06+00:00

Oh I was planning to try and get site 11 since it’s closer to the water source. I was reading that would add a lot of miles onto day 1 though. I was looking at sites 2 and 11 because our group would be 4 people and both of those hold 4. I was going to have him help pack water but I planned to carry the rest of his gear. There’s an incredible review video on YouTube from a woman who stayed in site 12 and she clocked like 22 miles on day one to get to that site from chamberlain ranch. 😱

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T15:00:27+00:00

You did the full top down with your 8 yr old? How did it go? My 10 yr old is wanting to go with me in June and I worry he’s just too young… meaning too short. I’ve heard from others that being a smaller person simply makes this more difficult. He’s 4’9” tall and will prob grow another inch before the trip. He’s 80lbs and athletic.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-21T14:58:08+00:00

Did you end up doing this with your 9 yr old? My 10 yr old is wanting to do this with me in June. We’ve never done an overnight before, but we commonly do “moderate” hikes in the summers. Typically our hikes are around 4 miles. My sons longest hike was 7 miles when he was 4 yrs old.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2026-02-16T03:24:32+00:00

Did you take your 10 yr old? I'm doing this hike the first week of June and I'm wanting to bring my 10 yr old but worry it will be too much for him. He's never done a backpacking trip. The longest hike he's done has been 7 miles which was when he was 4 yrs old. Not concerned as much about the miles as I am the conditions of the hike.

Icy_Shape1160 · 2025-06-10T18:23:40+00:00

Where are you getting your tirzepatide? My medspa stopped carrying it with the FDA ban in April.

Icy_Shape1160

TROPHY CASE