Palo Duro Canyon.. Who's been?

[Melany]

Looks like Wed and Thur will be partly cloudy with a small chance of rain and temps in the 70s. (THE 70s!!!!!!!) I may head up there again (hoping for some great skies!) and shoot from the rim or the CCC trail.
I'll have to see what this week brings though.

[jeeper]

After reading this thread, I want to go now. LOL.

(Never been...)

What's a good time of year to go there, or does it really matter? I was thinking mid-November just because it's close and my schedule is clear, but would it be better to wait for spring? Hell, maybe I'll just go next month and in the spring.

[Melany]

Originally Posted by jeeper

What's a good time of year to go there, or does it really matter?

DO NOT even think about going in the summer. The first time I went was in Aug, and I damn near DIED LOL
It's freakin' HOT, and many of the best trails don't have any shade.

Now is a good time. Flash floods are a problem, so keep an eye on the weather whenever you go.
It's starting to cool down in this part of the country.

Be sure you bring lots of water -- there's none on the trails.

Oh yeah, be sure and check the event calendar too. They have a bike race sometimes, not a good time to be a hiker. In Oct, there is a balloon fest there. I expect crowds, but I bet the photos will be awesome.

[Mosephus]

Ditto, like I said earlier, we camped very primitively in mid June and I wanted to Die, we ended up going into town and buying a cooler and forking over $4.00 a day for Ice the last three days.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by Mosephus

Ditto, like I said earlier, we camped very primitively in mid June and I wanted to Die, we ended up going into town and buying a cooler and forking over $4.00 a day for Ice the last three days.

I just got back last night and had a primitive campsite. It was amazing waking up to 44 degree temps! Only thing better would be if the burn ban wasn't in effect!

[Mosephus]

Yea, luckily we had a fire although we didn't need one, my brother in law was in a "lets do everything as primitively as possible kick". Flint to start fires etc. I secretly snuck in a torch and a few other niceties.

Here are some campsite pictures





Our Camp site


Dinner

[jeeper]

I'll have two small kids with me (2 & 4 years old), so I'm still not sure if we'll camp out or just get a hotel room in Amarillo...

If it was just me & the wife, we'd camp - but I'm not sure if the kids will be up for that. Just worried that the nights might be too cold for them...

[Mosephus]

Also watch out for the turkeys, they will get into your trash if you don't string it up really high.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by Mosephus

my brother in law was in a "lets do everything as primitively as possible kick".

Primitive? Picture 1 has a reading light/radio??

Picture 2 This one is nice... and primitive!

Picture 3 Primitive with water and electric hookups? And I see an RV, although that appears to be at the site next to you?

Picture 4 Ravioli's is primitive?? lol Just giving you a hard time!

When I go with a group there always has to be water and electric. Last time I went I cooked everything over the fire. Cooked brisket, corn, bacon, sausage. I let everyone else use my coleman stove. That's the way to go! There is absolutely nothing better than waking up at 6am, starting a fire while the coffee is getting ready and sitting around the fire in the nice, quiet outdoors.

[jeeper]

Any recommendations on campsites in the area?

(Running water is a plus, anything else I can do without if I have to.)

[SCone]

Hackberry has electricity & water

Sites 9-13 are pretty nice, plenty of space for tents

Around site 18 or so, they get a little close together, not bad for camping trailers but less room for tent setup

[Orogeny]

Originally Posted by Melany

DO NOT even think about going in the summer. The first time I went was in Aug, and I damn near DIED LOL
It's freakin' HOT, and many of the best trails don't have any shade.

Be sure you bring lots of water -- there's none on the trails.

All good advice. The heat in the summer is no joke. At least one person died from the heat there this summer and I know that park personnel have to rescue several people each summer who have not prepared for the heat. PDC is an oven in the summer.

Canyon death: Family recalls woman who died | Amarillo Globe-News

[Melany]

Originally Posted by jeeper

Any recommendations on campsites in the area?

(Running water is a plus, anything else I can do without if I have to.)

YOu DO know that there are a few cabins avialable there, right?

Look on the Palo Duro site for more info -- some are "normal" cabins with linens, bathrooms, etc, and there are "cow camp" rustic cabins -- you gotta bring your own sheets, and have no pottys.

[jeeper]

Originally Posted by Melany

YOu DO know that there are a few cabins avialable there, right?

Look on the Palo Duro site for more info -- some are "normal" cabins with linens, bathrooms, etc, and there are "cow camp" rustic cabins -- you gotta bring your own sheets, and have no pottys.

I did not know. I do now though - that's for the links. Bookmarked - and that may be just about perfect for us.

Thanks!

[Melany]

I went back yesterday. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!
Temps in the upper 60s, partly cloudy with no rain, no wind(!), and NO FREAKIN' CROWDS!
I hiked a new trail and found a new "favorite spot". I only saw 2 other hikers all afternoon, despite being very accessable and a pretty easy hike. I guess this is the best kept secret in Palo Duro!
I got lots of great photos, I'm still going thru them. I see one that I already know I'm going to print and hang on my wall.