Hayduke Trail – 2019

Why the Hayduke Trail (HDT)?

In truth, the Hayduke Trail (HDT), really more a route, has been high on my list for a long time. It has most of the elements I Iook for on long-distance hikes such as expansive and majestic views, colorful landscapes, remoteness, solitude, and a darn good challenge, physically and mentally. Without a doubt, it’s a bit intimidating for a thru-hike! For example, route finding, long waterless stretches, ankle busting tread, the confines of slot canyons, maybe some canyoneering, long ways between trail towns, the arcane liquor laws of Utah. Is it worth it against the backdrop of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona? Very much so – more on that later.

My thanks and kudos to the “founders” of the Hayduke Trail, Mike Coronella and Joe Mitchell. who extensively hiked, researched, and pieced this route together and published a guide to their brainchild in 2005.

Importantly, I must mention the origin of the Hayduke moniker according to Mike and Joe and for those that don’t know, named after Geroge Washington Hayduke, created by Edward Abbey in his 1975 novel, the Monkey Wrench Gang. At the very least, recommended reading for the trail.

HDT – What & Where?

The Hayduke Trail (HDT) is an 800 to 900-mile route, depending on alternatives, across the rugged, desolate Colorado Plateau, passing through and connecting Arches NP, Canyon Rims Recreational Area, Canyonlands NP, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Henry Mountains, Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon NP, and, in my case, a detour through Paria Canyon Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, then back to the Hayduke Trail for 140 miles through the Grand Canyon NP, and finishing at Zion NP. Wow, what a mouthful! More information can be found at http://www.hayduketrail.org.

Hayduke Trail

On the whole, the total elevation gain of the HDT is 112,000 to 116,000 feet. The low point is 2,000 ft elevation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the high point is Mount Ellen in the Henry Mountains at 11,400 ft.

I resupplied at such metropolises as Moab, Hanksville, Escalante, Tropic, Kanab and the Grand Canyon Rims. In addition, I also cached food and water at a few backcountry locations mostly accessible by a high-clearance vehicle. Caching is not something that must be done, but it did cut down on food/water carries and offered some piece of mind. On the other hand, the downside was the time and travel to cache and the return trip to pick up the water bottles and paint buckets. Oh well, another opportunity to visit the backcountry!

HDT Daily Posts

My daily blogs and other posts related to the HDT are found below: