Well, 7 months and my new titanium shoulder have passed in review since Cal's tome was unveiled. So...Bro John and Krys, plus Jeanie and I are going to try a similar spring route through Canyonlands between April 8 and 18. We 'think' we have a route that an 86 inch wide camper will fit through (with bed tie downs sans camper jacks). The trick is to make it south to north through the Needles district as the trail splits toward Elephant Hill and the 'out' trail doesn't have the hangover or the squeeze that the 'in' trail has (Devil's Pocket). I'm not worried about rocks on the trail or washouts, but rock overhangs at narrow spots can stop the train cold. Some highlights (God willing) will include Beef Basin, Bobby's Hole, Devils Kitchen, Horse Hoof camp; plus a run through the Needles themselves and various overlooks.
With the partial Gov't shutdown, and after visiting the Canyonlands N.P website, it looks like the trails are open but no one is collecting money or dumping the trash. Maybe it will be over by then. We came down Elephant Hill in 1971. The 3-yr. old kid in the center is turning 50 next month. He may even go along on this trip in his own Jeep/RTT.
