HikeArizona.COM

Hi All,

I leave on April 4th and will be backpacking from Whitehouse to Lee's Ferry. Our itineary is:

Day 1 : Hike to Big Spring (12.5 mi) setup camp
Day 2 : Hike to last spring at mile 25.3 (12.8 mi)
Day 3 : Hike to Lee's Ferry (13.1 mi)

I've read several blogs that describe hypothermic conditions, quick sand and trekking in chest high pools. I did purchase 3 mm 18" neoprene socks which I plan to wear with my Keen watershoes. My hope is that they will help keep my feet warm given the current water levels. I would love any advice, tips, gear advice, etc for anyone having done this trip in April.

Happy trails!

Dan

I've never been. But if you haven't already ... check out the triplogs posted here.
4 from March, 13 from April should give you a good picture

Previous discussions are worth a read as well:
viewtopic.php?t=5479
viewtopic.php?t=5016
viewtopic.php?t=3992
viewtopic.php?t=3831
viewtopic.php?t=3824
viewtopic.php?t=2800

I have been through at least 10 times. The pools come and go depending on the last rains. I would say that the best source of info on the pools would be the Paria Ranger Station - You may need to phone the station in Kanab to get through, though.
I would say that, barring a hyper-cold front coming in that hypothermia is not much of a threat, although neoprene socks sound like a good idea. Remember some warm, soft slippers/moccasins for camp. The pools CAN be cold, but they are really short. If it is really muddy, getting to Big Spring could be a full day and then some, as it is tough to make any time while sliding through the muck. I would suggest an additional day if possible to allow yourself time to visit Wrather Arch and soak in the wonderment of the area. It is a wonderful hike - you are wise to do the through-hike, as so many dip out at White House missing some incredible scenery. If you have not yet visited, try and make time to wander around the Lonely Dell Ranch near Lees Ferry - it is pretty interesting. Visiting the little cemetery will alert you to the dangers of living at an outpost when all sorts of folks with various diseases passed through.

The water is cold but will not be hypothermia inducing in April. Your feet do get numb with regular socks. There are a few places you could get chest deep in the river, but these parts are easily avoided and in nearly every spot it will be at most knee deep for a 6ft tall person.

You will want to wear socks with those keens each and every day. Neoprene socks should work fine, and you will get to enjoy the experience of well-used neoprene sock smell for days 2 and 3.

Last spring is easy to miss, any spring you find in the last few miles prior to that should be taken advantage of in case you miss it.

The quick sand is fun to play in once, and you will learn to avoid it after you make the mistake of stepping into it the first time. It will be mostly confined to day 1, with some isolated spots in day 2.

Your mileage is fairly aggressive, I would suggest you try to set aside some time for taking photos and exploring what you find along the way, but you won't have that much time to spare in the first two days, based on my experience with larger groups. The last 10 miles go by about twice as fast as anything before then, so you don't need to break out the miles so evenly each day.

Thank you for the great advice!

Thanks for the tips! Paria Canyon was more than I could've imagined. We did 38 miles from Whitehouse to Lee's Ferry and can't wait to return. I wrote about the experience on my blog and added a few useful nuggets!