Help narrow focus for Southern Utah trip?

From what you describe, hiking a section of the Hayduke trail is a perfect fit for you in almost every way.

I have started researching this 800 mile trail to do a thru hike either next year or in 2017. I'm in the process of gathering information about the trail and don't really know much about it and, just today ordered this guide book from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874808138/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There is a "bundle" you can buy with route planning, maps, resupplies and trail descriptions from Andrew Surka's web site for $35.00 which seems like a good deal to save time and energy on trip planning. I have been reading over the http://www.hayduketrail.org/ website and found a lot of good information there that got me started in my research. I have also found several trail journals from previous thru-hikers of which I've started reading and have already gained much insight about the trail from them.

Being you plan to hike in May, you could possibly hike the eastern section which is a higher elevation to beat the heat.

Good luck on your hike and if you decide to section hike the Hayduke, please send me a pre trip and post trip report, I'd be very interested in talking with you.

Terry

My first thought would be to find something as different as possible to provide a nice contrast. The Dark Canyon complex comes to mind, as does Kanab Creek in the Grand Canyon. Permits in the Grand are a pain, but if you stay away from the river and established trails it's a very lonely place. Steve Allen's Muddy Creek loop in the Swell also comes to mind, but it's different in a totally different way. Less vegetation and water than the Escalante, and lots of harsh dirt and twisted rock.

Surprised no one has mentioned Grand Gulch on Cedar Mesa.

Terry,
In case you haven’t found her yet, Wired is currently thru hiking the Hayduke and she gives lots of helpful advice on her blog.

Michael,
Thank you for the heads up and the link, I hadn't known about her blog and I'm sure this will be another gold mine of information about the Hayduke Trail.

I am excited to start reading about her hike and, thank you for sharing the information!

Terry

No problem. I've followed her since about mid way thru her PCT hike, then the CDT and AT and now Hayduke this year. She's a wealth of info (look at her pre-hike posts) and she will likely do some followup ones as well.

Michael,
I heard Wired's name come up a few times last year while thru-hiking the PCT, now I can put it all in context as I begin reading her blog. Another great thing about this is, I mentioned this to my wife this evening and already have her blessings to hike the Heyduke next spring.

Being retired is great!

I'm planning to hit the Dark Canyon area later in May, so I have recently researched this area.

There are at least two loops available in Dark Canyon: Woodenshoe/Peavine or Youngs/Lean-To. The latter is slightly technical in that I have heard that routefinding in and out can be challenging. The former can be dry. A lot of people just go in and out Sundance, and make various trips on the canyon floor.

Grand Gulch is apparently THE place to go to see Anasazi Ruins, but hard to make a loop.

The Escalante River (east of Escalante, UT) has a number of side-canyons to the north to explore. Also hard to make a loop.

Paria Canyon, of course. Very popular, though- can have "crowds."

I highly recommend Kelsey's book for many, many options that fit your stated criteria:

Thanks for weighing in folks. Definitely taking a long look at Dark Canyon, and looking for some Cedar Mesa options sans "crowds." Any thoughts on Robber's Roost area of Dirty Devil? Can't quite figure out if it's appealing or just really harsh. Not doing technical canyoneering, so something like Bluejohn probably out for our group…

I really like the Roost, I'd say it is both beautiful and harsh. The technical canyons are fantastic, but plenty of options without them. It is more similar to the Escalante than most other places, which is why I didn't mention it at first.

The southern DD canyons are much less similar to Escalante than RR forks. Fiddler Cove, Hatch, Happy area might be a good option and are pretty unique. Maybe get up on the Block. Great area.

It's gonna take me a minute to get a trip report together, so let me just say thanks to the folks who suggested Dark Canyon here (and posted info in Dean's thread), and don't hesitate, go. Incredible place.

Look forward to checking out some of you all's other suggestions too.