Fall 2022 - CanyonLands - Maze (Routes Set)

Sept 16/17-25 2022
The Maze District; Canyonlands

Date and People LOCKED

This is based on the Labor Day Holiday (which occurs on the fifth of September, so we miss that potential additional busy-ness). It also puts us into the 'Fall' category for permits, allowing us extra time to get commitments and plan our route. It also puts us a bit later in the year, our 2021 adventure to this area of the world in early September teaching us that day time temps still exceed 90 degrees, while nights are plenty comfortable.

'Commit fully' is defined as:
- Have, or will have, a vehicle with all of the requirements listed in the first post of this thread.
- Approved time off from wherever you work.
- Being able to meet at the start point on day one. Departing the trip early is much easier to coordinate. We will not prioritize those who cannot start the trip on day one. Too many previous trips tried to incorporate various people meeting various days/times, and it just creates too many problems.
- The willingness to put yourself and your truck in uncomfortable/tricky situations. Getting cold feet deep into The Maze and wanting to turn around to leave won't be a good time for anyone. Must trust your machine, your own skills, and the others in the group.
- The desire to travel at a 'slow' pace. Limited driving some days, with hikes, relaxation, sightseeing, etc. being a much larger percentage of the trip rather than simply crushing miles day after day.

Currently looking at the map and planning the route/s.
Yes, routes. Because this trip will be different than the last. Because of limitations. We will be running 2 groups of 3 trucks. Each having their own style of route planning and exploration. With rotation to some of the Epic spots.

Link to the trip I just ran this past Sept: The Longest Mile https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-longest-mile.738348/

Vehicle Requirments:

• 4x4 only.
• 33"+ tires
  
• Skids, sliders.
  
• Full self sustainability. Water, Food, Gas, etc. Plan to be self sufficient for up to 4days or more.
• Full size matching spare.
• Recovery Gear.
• Tools for your specific truck, plus spares.
  
• Comms: GMRS
• Minimum 1 tank worth of fuel spare Min 10gals

This post will be edited as needed as, its still awhile out and fluid in planning.

Who:

1. @Sixthelement - Yes
   
2. @MR E30 - Yes
3. @PcBuilder14 - Yes
4. @TailHook - Yes
   
5. @Phessor - Yes

Note: Keep updated with my posts as we plan ahead. I will edit this post as needed.

 

Beyond excited to do this!

Based off of @Squeaky Penguin input, this is doable with mildly modified Tacomas, but Will and I will put together a list of vehicle requirements.

Pretty remote, but not at the end of the world, so to speak. Plan to be self sufficient, as this will be a true test of your setup, but we'll be okay for the most part.

Limited to 3 trucks maximum. Can only camp in designated sites and there are no pairs of campsites anywhere like there are elsewhere in Canyonlands. Will and I are claiming two of the three spots.

I'll buy all of the permits online.

We will probably need at least 5 full days for the trip. Not sure yet, but when planning it won't be a weekend thing. I agree that next fall is a good time to do it.

Must be 100% self sufficient. I'll have ~30 gallons of water and ~20 gallons of extra fuel. This is not a place to mess around.

I'll start doing more detailed research and post what I find.

 

I've been to Panorama Point and Cleopatras Chair, just to the east of Hans Flat VC. The roads just to get to the VC can be challenging, depending on the route you take. Never been to the Maze District, though...

That's like 400# all by itself!

 

Good thing those +1300 lb Alcan Springs are shipping in three days

 

Baller!

 

Definitely interested, just don't know that the 4runner will be ready for this. I'm in desperate need of gearing and lockers before even thinking about doing this area. And I can't say for sure right now, that will get done before the trip.

 

I'm definitely still interested. Should be fully armored by then as well. Will have plenty of room to bring extra fuel/water if I'm the lucky third truck.

 

What about two expeditionary units?

I'd like to explore the northern areas...Horse and Horseshoe Canyons, and the surrounding areas in particular.

 

Totally could.
Its not a small area by any means.

 

That could work. The permits are just about always available due to the remoteness of the location, so we could stagger by a day.

 

Right on...I'll most likely bow out of the Land of the Standing Rocks area. Might be easiest to vidcon one of these days to coordinate the permit purchases when we're ready...I'll get one, one of you gets the other? Figure the units can be dynamic based on where folks want to go...

ETA: Guess the groups need to be static based on the below post...nice to see those tight controls to keep the riffraff out.

 

I realize I'm in the AZ section, but clicked on this cause of the title.

The Maze is not as remote/difficult as it's made out to be. I made it down the entire dollhouse road in 3 hours this spring in my not super modded 2nd gen, and that's past like 5 campsites. There are a couple that are further out of the way, but still not that far. Was also able to make it from Hanksville out to Green River in 1 tank with fuel to spare, but that obviously depends on your route.

Regardless - Have fun gents, the Maze is pretty incredible. Be on top of that permit. Any of the Doll House sites are a must, along with Panorama point. Plan some time for hiking too if you're into that. The trail down from the Maze overlook down to the Harvest scene was awesome if you're game for some mild scrambling. And hiking down to the river from the dollhouse was tons of fun too.

Also - if you try to buy 2 permits with similar itineraries at close campsites you'll get a nasty gram from the feds. AMHIK. Not sure if they'd give you any further of a hard time when you show up, but I don't think they want to see more than 3 trucks driving in one group, or eating dinner together at camp, etc. And you will get your permit checked... Edit: and they want license plate numbers of all vehicles on each permit and give you a matching tag to put on the dash.

 

Appreciate the info...

 

Sub'd

Lots of pics, we need yo see why we need to jump through the hoops and get our asses outdoors.

 

Thats the plan, to take 4-5 days to explore back there taking in the hikes and views. Not a plan to rush it by any means.

 

This is the last trip we just did: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-longest-mile.738348/

 

If next fall I’m super interested!

 

Watching this thread for any info -- we're discussing a trip to the Maze this coming spring when it warms up a bit. Already doing the PP Dance.

 

I'd be interested. May have to get a trailer for gas. Lol

 

Squeaky,

Thank you for this info. I haven't found any first-hand accounts thus far, but I'll update my initial description to match your input.

I guess the lore of the place is not congruent with its actual state.

Still excited to go though!