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Desolation & Gray Canyons permit

Desolation Gear Checklist

What to carry on Desolation, and why. 2 items are written into the permit rules and 8 more are worth the pack space.

10Total Items
2Required
8To bring

What to bring on Desolation

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list. 2 of these are written into the permit rules, and every one of those carries the rule it comes from.

  • Required

    A washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet system, or an engineered bag system inside a hard-sided animalproof container

    Permit rule: โ€œA washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet system is required; engineered bag systems are acceptable if carried in a leakproof, crushproof, animalproof hard-sided container with a screw-on or ratchet-locking lidโ€

  • Required

    A metal fire pan at least 12 inches wide with a 1.5-inch lip, carried even if you only use stoves

    Permit rule: โ€œA durable metal fire pan at least 12 inches wide with a 1.5-inch lip must be carried on all trips, even if stoves are used, and remains required during a fire banโ€

  • Bring

    Type I, III or V PFDs, worn by everyone from Jack Creek Rapid down

  • Bring

    First aid kit, repair kits, air pumps, spare oar/paddle/motor per vessel, and a bail bucket or bilge pump

  • Bring

    For boats 16 feet and over

    a Type IV throwable or a 40-foot rescue rope, plus a whistle or horn

  • Bring

    Completion of the Utah Mussel Aware Course

  • Bring

    A dishwater strainer

    recommended here rather than required, but you will want one on a nine-day trip

  • Bring

    A fire blanket under the pan

  • Bring

    Shade structures for the long open beaches

  • Bring

    Extra water capacity; the Green is silty and needs settling before filtering

25 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Plan a trip here

General backcountry gear

General backcountry kit. Colorado Plateau Rivers's own rules for this permit are above.

๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Desolation

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tips

  • โ€ขWeigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • โ€ขRent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • โ€ขTest all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • โ€ขSome items are required seasonally. Check current regulations.

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