Photo: Barry Morenz Dark Canyon Mysteries, Dark Canyon Wilderness, Utah. Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08059A Price: $795 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 12 Rating: M Leaders:
The Trip  Photo: Barry Morenz This week-long backpack explores Dark Canyon, a narrow, deep, and colorful canyon with a special mystery about it that invites exploration. By the time Lake Powell finished filling in 1980, it had flooded many of the most spectacular canyons in southern Utah. Only a few of the region's most dramatic canyons -- that is, canyons with 1,500-2,000-foot walls -- were left. Of these few, Dark Canyon may be the wildest in southern Utah. The upper half of Dark Canyon is already designated wilderness and the lower half has been proposed for inclusion. Dark and its side canyons are the epitome of classic canyon-country hiking. Canyons don’t get any better than this. Dark Canyon is carved out of the 300 million-year-old Honaker Trail Formation, one of the oldest rock layers exposed in southern Utah. Consisting of mixed limestone, shale, and sandstones, the Honaker Trail Formation produces spectacular cliffs and talus slopes. Home for many years to the Anasazi and protected by its remote location, the canyon is abundant in archaeological treasures. The riparian ecology is rich with lichen, cacti, and several sensitive plant species. We should see numerous wildflowers. It is also home to the Mexican spotted owl and the desert bighorn sheep.
 Photo: Barry Morenz We begin our trip high in the Aspen and Douglas fir of Elks Ridge at about 8,500 feet. We will descend down Woodenshoe Canyon through Ponderosa Pine into the sagebrush, juniper, and pinyon pine life zones. Water may be scarce the first couple days, but gradually it will become more abundant as we proceed down canyon. After a couple of days we will meet the junction with Dark Canyon. As we hike down Dark Canyon we will take day-hikes up some side canyons like Young’s Canyon and Lost Canyon and possibly have a layover day as time allows. Initially the canyon is broad but it gradually narrows and closes in around us as we lose elevation. The days should be warm and the nights and mornings chilly at the higher elevations. Lower in the canyon the days will become warmer. We'll be at 3,500 feet in the lowest reaches, perfect for jumping in some cool pools. On our last day we will climb the Sundance Trail and hike about 5 miles gaining 1,500 feet to meet the bus that will return us to Recapture Lodge. We should be to the lodge about 1 p.m., but please consider the potential for delays when making travel plans.Getting There The starting point for this trip is Bluff, Utah. Travel to the starting point is the responsibility of trip participants and is not covered in the trip price. The closest location for commercial air service is Grand Junction, Colorado, which is about 200 miles from Bluff. The closest large airports are in Albuquerque, New Mexico (315 miles), Salt Lake City, Utah (350 miles), and Phoenix, Arizona (370 miles). The leader will assist in coordinating rides for those who are interested. Participants often choose to share rides with each other.
The first meal provided will be lunch on day one. The last meal will be breakfast on the final day. Meals will be from a central commissary. Meals include hearty, healthy, and varying breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The leaders will work hard to make the food as light as possible to lessen the loads in our packs. Participants should bring their favorite snacks to supplement between meals. We can easily accommodate vegetarians. Caffeinated coffee, various teas (caffeinated, green, herbal), hot chocolate, and Gatorade will be provided.  Photo: Barry Morenz Responsibility for cooking and cleanup will be shared by trip participants. We will rotate cooking and cleaning responsibilities daily so everyone will get a chance at cooking for the group. The leaders will be close at hand at every meal should help or advice be needed. Chlorine-based chemicals for treating drinking water will be provided. All of our nights will be spent in the backcountry, thus the accommodations are your own tent and sleeping bag.
The route is generally level or downhill except when we climb the last day about 1,500 feet. Thus the trip is rated moderate (M). There are, however, some strenuous portions. This is not a beginner's trip. There is no official, maintained trail in the canyon. Our hiking will include narrow footpaths among the forests, talus slopes, slickrock ledges, rocky streambeds, mud, and sand. A few spots may require handholds and footholds. Early in the trip, there will be two nine-mile days, as necessitated by water supplies. However, the remaining days will be shorter, allowing time to experience Dark Canyon's majesty. The total backpacking distance, excluding optional side trips, is about 35 miles.
 Photo: Barry Morenz The leaders will provide an extensive list of gear to each of the participants. The list will include those items that are essential such as backpack, shelter, sleeping pad, sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees or lower, boots, rain gear, your personal medications, and enough water bottles or water bladders to carry a gallon of water. The list will also include optional items such as camera, camp chair, and reading material. The weather is likely to be warm, even hot during the day and cool at night. Rain is possible but not likely. The first couple of nights in Woodenshoe may be a little chilly with lows possibly near 50.
Maps: For the greatest detail, consider USGS 7.5-minute topographical maps. These maps may be ordered online at http://store.usgs.gov. Our route is on the quadrangles Black Steer Canyon, Bowdie Canyon West, Indian Head Pass, Warren Canyon, and Woodenshoe Buttes, all of which are in Utah. For a view of the entire Dark Canyon area, consider National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map number 703 entitled “Manti-LaSal National Forest.” This is a good general hiking map but lacks the fine detail of the 7.5-minute topos. Books: Adkison, Ron, Hiking Grand Staircase – Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region. Conservation
 Photo: Barry Morenz When hiking in the Southwest, you will develop a heightened awareness of the role water plays in your life. We will talk about the changing attitude towards high dams and water impoundment. What have we gained with these dams and what has been lost? And what will happen as the population centers of the west continue to grow and the demand for water for urban areas increases? Currently, agriculture gets first priority for water and population centers come second. If anything is left over, nature gets a share. We will discuss the implications of this policy.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Rick Russman is a recently retired trial attorney and former New Hampshire state senator. Rick is passionate about environmental policy issues. While serving in the State Senate, he chaired the Senate Environment Committee for eight years. He has also testified before U.S. Congressional committees a half-dozen times, and is co-founder of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. Currently he is treasurer for the National Environment Trust in Washington and chairs the Granite State Conservation Voters Alliance as well. In his free time, Rick can be found in the White Mountains, backpacking, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. He has backpacked, skied, or kayaked in every area in the United States. He is certified in wilderness first aid.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Shelly Eberly has loved hiking and backpacking since she was old enough to walk, and she has finally balanced work and play enough to have time to share that passion with others. She has led backpacking trips in the ecologically rich Appalachians of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and in the deserts of Utah and Arizona. Regardless of where she is backpacking, Shelly looks forward to sharing the rejuvenating power of the natural world with you. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder.