HDT: Planning

Planning for the Hayduke Trail (HDT) is different and more challenging than for popular National Scenic Trails. The bible remains The Hayduke Trail – A Guide to the Backcountry Hiking Trail on the Colorado Plateau written by Mike and Joe in 2005. I got it for Christmas five years ago – Mrs. Haze doesn’t like to be reminded of that fact!

I recently bought and downloaded the Hayduke Trail Hiking Resources Bundle put together by Andrew Skurka (andrewskurka.com). This handy planning tool consists of a handbook, data book, water chart and mapsets. This bundle also has some information about a few more popular alternatives. Just had the mapsets printed at a print shop and will be adding notes as I continue the planning process. These will be supplemented by pic of relevant atlas maps and National Geographic topo maps to give a broader picture.

I have found very useful information searching through journals and blogs from other hikers. Most notably Buck-30 (www.postholer.com/user/buck30/1623), Little Package/Puppy (www.little-package.com), and some great info on interesting alternatives from Nic Barth. You will not yet find the HDT on the Guthook app but have dug deep to find some GPS tracks. I will be updating the water chart from some more recent hiker postings.

All the National Parks have different rules for backcountry permits so read carefully. I was surprised that bear-resistant containers are now required in most of Canyonlands NP. Most of the popular areas in the NP’s also require WAG bags which I can certainly see the reasons for. The backcountry permit that really does require advanced planning is for the Grand Canyon. You can apply four months ahead so I will be sending my application next week. Hard to nail down exact dates but I will give my best estimate and call ahead as I get closer.

One alternative that I really want to include in my hike is the Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon area. Daily permits can be purchased through BLM but the backcountry permit application seems to be quite complicated and difficult. I have found some hikers have found exits out of the canyon and wilderness area for camping purposes so will be investigating this more thoroughly.