Grand Gulch 2010

[PaleoRob]

Alright, we've got a place and we've got a date. March 13th-15th, we'll be hiking about 20-ish miles from the Government Trail to Collins Canyon, seeing lots of awesome rock art and Anasazi ruins along the way. Group size will be limited to 12 (10 slots plus me and my wife, though she might back out), due to BLM permit restrictions. Dogs are welcome on-leash, but not in ruins or at rock art sites, so be aware of that. If other participants don't want dogs on the trip, we may reconsider that.
Weather is variable - can be warm or we could get snow. Roads to the trailheads are dirt. Collins Canyon is decent, but Government requires 4x4, but carpooling is preferable anyway, since parking is limited. 3 days in one of the most beautiful and rich canyons in the southwest; what's not to like?

[rushthezeppelin]

Yeah, I work that Friday too. I'll be driving up after classes on Friday and car-camping probably out at Muley Point again.

Maybe well be able to find you up there this year ^_^

[PaleoRob]

You know where to find me - the first turn out, not the end of the road. ;)

[oliverr99]

Ok I am interested now, due to a guilt trip from a friend who wants me to visit her. I will let you know for sure! Thanks!

[big_load]

I'm keeping the dates clear. I'll probably be out earlier in the week getting my boots dirty if all goes well.

I don't know how confident to be of weather data reported for Grand Gulch Plateau Rec Management Area. It looks like record lows for that week and beyond are low 20s. Is there any chance of it getting below the mid-teens?

[PaleoRob]

I suppose it is possible to be below the mid teens, but it'll hopefully be warmer than that. Even when we got snowed on it wasn't in the teens, only (IIRC) high 20s.
Right now, I'm sure it is at least that cold though. Brrr!

[PaleoRob]

I'll be picking up 4 permits tomorrow. More can be added later. Randal, any chance of Mike joining us too?

[PaleoRob]

Picked up permits via phone today. Got 5, so if one other person adds, I won't need to change the permit. It'll be $8/person. Limit is 12 per group, so we can still take a few more if folks are interested.

[PaleoRob]

Its getting closer! I'm starting to get pretty excited!

[rushthezeppelin]

I suppose it is possible to be below the mid teens, but it'll hopefully be warmer than that. Even when we got snowed on it wasn't in the teens, only (IIRC) high 20s.
Right now, I'm sure it is at least that cold though. Brrr!

Actually if I remember correctly when we got snowed on the low that night was like 17.....been a while though so perhaps my memory isn't all that good on it but I remember it getting colder than we thought it would.

[PaleoRob]

You were the guy with the thermometer - I'll go with you then on this one! I was snug as a bug in a rug with my hot water Nalgene and warm bag!

[tibber]

I have to tell you Rob, I REALLY want to come but I'm not likin' the cold thing at all. I thot I would wait til the last minute and if the temps are reasonable , I would like to come if there's room.

[rushthezeppelin]

I have to tell you Rob, I REALLY want to come but I'm not likin' the cold thing at all. I thot I would wait til the last minute and if the temps are reasonable , I would like to come if there's room.

Do you not have the gear to handle it or do you just not like the cold

[tibber]

I think I have almost the appropriate gear but trying to function when it's 30 degrees just brings back all those bad memories of ALL the times I was cold beyond cold; even tho I was raised in Montana, 40 miles from the Canadian border where it REALLY was COLD; especially back in the 60s.

Ambika says I need to work on this issue so I am finding little ways to deal with it when I'm camping. My goal is to get comfortable in the 40s and work my way down .

[rushthezeppelin]

Well there are plenty of 40s nights out in the supes this time of year.....perfect time to start the acclimatization

Edit: It appears my memory was faulty on that. I just went and looked at the triplog for last year and it was 22 that night. Still rather cold and was the coldest I've done yet. I was definitely toasty warm though with my setup, the only problem I had was that 4 inches of snow that built up on my rain tarp for my hammock making it really fun to get out of my hammock.

[tibber]

Edit: It appears my memory was faulty on that. I just went and looked at the triplog for last year and it was 22 that night. Still rather cold and was the coldest I've done yet. I was definitely toasty warm though with my setup, the only problem I had was that 4 inches of snow that built up on my rain tarp for my hammock making it really fun to get out of my hammock.

PRECISELY. 40s is a long way from 22 in my book

AND snow! Burrrrrrrrrrrr!

[PaleoRob]

Hey, there is no promise of snow! It could be warm and cloudless the entire time (though that doesn't make for a fun trek across Government to get to GG).

[big_load]

My most important meetings are clear of the dates. I'll book flights early next week. I'll have a standard rental. Will that get me to the TH? If not I might need to catch a ride for part of the way.

[PaleoRob]

Standard rental won't get you to the Government TH. Not sure about Collins.

[big_load]

Yeah, I was pretty doubtful.

[oliverr99]

Chris, I do recall it was in the low 20's. I also remember how hard it was to pack up our tents, and your hammock, because our feet kept getting wet from the snow, and then our toes would be numb! It was not fun, but the snow was pretty!!
I might be able to come along, but I am with Angela, I like to wait until it gets closer to the dates and see the temps. ;)