Dark Canyon-Peavine-Wooden Shoe (Utah)

[Thomas G]

Anyone done the Anyone done the Dark Canyon-Peavine-Wooden Shoe loop  this spring? I am hoping to do it soon. Looking for beta about water. I called the USFS today and they said that they have not had a crew do the loop, but that Cherry Canyon “running lower than usual.” this spring. I am hoping to do it soon. Looking for beta about water. I called the USFS today and they said that they have not had a crew do the loop, but that Cherry Canyon “running lower than usual.” I can see from the USFS site and guidebooks where the usual water sources are but I am a little concerned about getting halfway through the loop and not being able to find water. Thanks.

[George H]

This is a notoriously difficult hike regarding water availability. That part of Utah is also way below normal  precipitation levels for the year.

I considered it some time ago but got scared away. Instead I did the Youngs – Lean To loop in the lower canyon with merely typical water challenges for the region.

[DirtNap]

Check the Kelsey beta. His water beta is generally good, Canyon Collective is a good resource as well. I’m planning on this route at some point. Spring will be better for water, but as mentioned earlier, this is a catastrophic water year in the SW. Earlier the better when snowmelt is going. I’ve generally had very good luck in side canyons in the Abajos Canyons at high elevation. Might not hurt to watch for storms and time for “bad” weather. We entered through Trail Canyon a few years back and had plenty of water because it was raining and snowing. But Elk Ridge Rd can be downright dangerous in rain and mud. Especially The Notch section. One of the worst drives of my life. Cost me a transfer case rebuild and marooned us for 48 hours up high while we waited for it to dry out a bit.

[Thomas G]

Thanks for the info everybody. We just did the trip, but we changed itineraries to the Escalante River. In Fence canyon / out 25 mile wash. Good water in those two canyons and in the Escalante river of course and also in choprock Canyon.  That being said, we bailed out of 25 mile wash because of how difficult the travel was, and we backtracked to Steve Allen‘s shortcut route, which was very enjoyable.

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