Planning the Right Trip for YOU

As my loved ones sometimes reminds me, there is a fine line between carefully planning the right trip and obsessing over the potential of unknowns.  Well - she's right!  There is a fine line - very fine.

To me it seems simple, if you are the type of person willing to take the risk - travel 85 miles of life changing terrain to get a glimpse of the best scenery anywhere to be found - well, then you are also the person willing to put up the boot work to make it happen.

The above Itinerary is from my 2010 Solo trip of May/June.  I used the layout of the previous year trip because it seemed to work well for me and provide the type of details I wanted to keep a hands reach.  It's lacking some information that you may want to add for you trip.

Most noticeably one could point out it does not have Escape routes or known water sources.  I will supplement these in their own postings later.

Considerations for building your trip

1. Consider your limits and those in your party.   Don't plan your failure, keep within what you know you have done before.  
2. Write down your plan.  Give your loved ones a break, worse case they know where to start looking.
3. Make room for changes.  You don't know what's around that next turn.  If you don't have the time to give yourself then you will be really late after the rescue!
4. Add useful information.  Site seeing is probably why you are there, note the places you want to stop.
5. Include distances.  It helps estimate travel time and tracks adherence to the schedule.
6. Keep it handy.  It's reassurance when moving that you are on-track and on time.  The take-out on Lake Powell is at least $350 and will charge you if you miss.
7. Add notes.  Time forgets all things - and you will too.  It will add to next years plan or make a great souvenir.