Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: bellimages on September 25, 2013, 10:01:01 am

Title: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: bellimages on September 25, 2013, 10:01:01 am
It's been a long time since I've been to the Wahweap Hoodoos; and I was with a guide. I'd like to drive there myself (in a small SUV ... like a Ford Escape). I see that one of the ways to get there is a short drive, but requires a LONG hike (see attached link). My guide went a round-about way, and we only had to hike about a mile or so.

Can anyone lend any advice?


http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/maps/staircase-map-hoodoos.jpg
Title: Re: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: NashvilleMike on September 25, 2013, 11:56:04 am
I was at Wahweap a few years ago and per the information from others who had been there recently and the BLM station in Big Water that year, the roads that you used to be able to drive to get to the short hike are now off-limits and the only way in is via the long hike. And on the day I went, it was a long 5 mile slog only to arrive when the light wasn't any good. Not my most productive trip.

Don't know if the rules have changed, but I get the feeling it's still the same now - one option, the long hiking one.

-m
Title: Re: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: The Ute on September 26, 2013, 01:48:42 pm
The rules have not changed. I was there not too long ago.
 
The long route is the only approved route.
Title: Re: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: bellimages on September 28, 2013, 09:58:02 am
Sooo, what happens if one takes the route that's not approved?
Title: Re: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: biedron1 on September 28, 2013, 02:26:54 pm
Sooo, what happens if one takes the route that's not approved?

Nothing, apparently. About one year ago I took the longer ride / shorter hike route - I had no idea that was "not approved" - and I lived to tell the tale. There are closures of Cottonwood Canyon Road from time to time (in fact, they closed it one day after my non-approved trip last year). Maybe that is what makes it non-approved?

BTW, I did the drive in something in the Ford Escape class of vehicle, and there were some slightly dicey spots, but nothing you couldn't negotiate with a little care.

Bob
Title: Re: Wahweap Hoodoos
Post by: cmburns on September 28, 2013, 11:34:47 pm
Same, I did the unapproved route with a local about 2 years ago. He said it was bs that the road was closed, was done by the guys with cattle rights to the land. I mean the BLM did it for them. There's still a parking lot and entry gate to go through if you go the illegal way. Even then we had to hop across the small stream two times because recent rain had made it change course but it was a pretty short walk.

We were in a 4wd truck. Not a bad road, just needed the high clearance a couple of times where you went steeply into a gully and back up the other side.