N. AZ near Zion

Presuming snow doesn't close the road, mid-November is a fab time to visit the N Rim of the Grand Canyon. BC permits for the main corridor are always tough, but a dayhike down to Cottonwood and back is excellent.

Thanks, Dave. I'd be happy to even see the Grand Canyon, but it's further than I'd like to drive this time around, plus has been a no-go on my past trips.
Should probably mention that my trip planning is the harbinger of winter storms at Zion, whether spring or fall, and they tend to coincide with my arrival, bringing temperature drops and high winds. I'm not superstitious or anything, but am 4 for 4.
I love that kind of "bad" weather, though, so it's all good. Adds to how different everything is from home-which is probably part of my fascination with the area.

You could drive through AZ to Buckskin and those places but they are are all mostly in Utah or at least the trailheads are. If you do Bull valley Gorge/Willis Creek it would be faster to come in from the north past Bryce.

If you don't go to the GC then there is nothing very easy to do in the AZ strip.

Bull Valley/Willis is a great loop and I would recommend doing it going down Bull Valley as there is one chockstone drop near it's head that is not a very high drop and would be easy to get down but is a bear to get up. There is nothing in Willis creek to deal with.

Here is a trip report of mine where we did it on the second day, good camping down Sheep creek near the confluence with the Paria if you want to make it an overnight.

http://40yearsofwalking.wordpress.com/2010/11/25/upper-paria-riverhackberry-canyons-loop-1110/

Thanks, Alex, enjoyed the TR! Your pics make it pretty clear what's involved at the chockstone. I'd be going down, so a piece of webbing for a handline and lowering the pack should do it.

Maybe the Tuckup trail out of Toroweap. Toroweap is due south of Zion on the GC at the end of a long rough drive.

Thanks, Dean. Don't know about how long or rough I want to get into with a rental car(probably a Ford Focus), but I'll check it out!

Springdale to N Rim is perhaps 20-30 minutes longer than Springdale to Buckskin.

I hadn't realized. Never actually looked at the route, just asked rangers about the current conditions, and it's always been a "you can't get there from here right now" kind of thing.

Thanks, folks. Looks like this trip probably isn't going to happen. Between some minor storm damage to my house, discovering rot in a basement door frame, problems with both my truck and car(that baby needs new shoes, too) things that demand immediate attention and $$$ are stacking up :(