Larger than day hikes in a day southern Utah adjacent?

I’ve got a mid April trip where I’ll mostly be climbing around the St. George/Mesquite area.

However, a really big day could be worked into the trip. Not a trail run per se, basically a brisk hike pace and jogging down hills or easy sections.

Idea 1, Rim to rim to rim of the Grand Canyon. Probably best done in 2 days, rim to rim to river, followed by river to rim the next day. It’s almost 6 hours drive from where I’ll be staying though, eating up lots of climbing time.

Idea 2. Hike Kolob to the main entrance of Zion. 37 miles. Logistically, as far as transportation drop offs and pick ups, this would be the easiest. This would be at or above the maximum I feel like I could do, depending on terrain. But I’ll be staying in Hurricane, so at least the drive home (possibly at midnight) isn’t too bad.

Idea 3. Something in Bryce. I literally have no idea what. Never been. More research needed.

Idea 4. Your idea, something 21-35 miles somewhere beautiful within a few hours of St. George. 

I like your 1st idea. The Grand Canyon is magic every time!

It would require a shuttle, but I’d personally pick Paria canyon. It’s a run/shuffle/hike that’s been on my to-do list. 

Agreed on paria, wire pass, buckskin gulch, out white house trailhead, figure out a shuttle. 

If you haven’t already, take a look at Courtney Purcell’s Zion National Park Summit Routes guide. There are tons of neat semi and non-technical routes in there that could be strung together for a truly epic day traversing a backcountry that few encounter. If you’re comfortable navigating slickrock and stuck to less technical routes you could still get some bigger miles, if that’s the goal.

A more technical example of what’s possible.

R3 in the canyon would be incredible of course, but I’m not sure if the north rim will be open in time for your trip. Usually they plow the road in May but if it’s a light snow year it could be possible that it opens earlier?

You might be able to hike just about every trail in the main part of Bryce. It’s not backcountry but it’s spectacular if you’ve never been there before. 

R2R2R very doable in a day by mortals.  There is well advertised and available water, plus a shop in the middle if you're there during buisness hours. 

North rim likely closed, may still have snow (I did it without traction in Mar 2022, fair amount of snow still there).  Longest stretch between water was last stop before going up to the north rim, gaining north rim, and returning. 

My time was about 14 hrs, and it was my first long run where i didnt bonk or otherwise blow up - plenty of water and nutrition was key, plus salt pills. I started at a target time to return to south rim by sunset, but was too slow (so i never saw in good daylight the first 3-5 miles or so).  You could start at sunrise so you get good views for at least the whole route, then at some point it'll get dark as you go back up to south rim.

The trail is in remarkable shape/condition, especially considering how big it is - the whole thing is unforgettable and beyond mega.

You also wont be alone.

It also may/will be hot during the day down low (it was in March)

Thanks everyone for the other ideas, they're now on my list!

I'd also strongly suggest R2R2R in a day. It's an absolutely amazing hike/run and the availability of water faucets makes it so you never have to carry more than a few liters. Another great option is the Zion Grand Traverse, although I think I heard that part of this got closed due to something.  

ClimbingOn wrote:

I'd also strongly suggest R2R2R in a day. It's an absolutely amazing hike/run and the availability of water faucets makes it so you never have to carry more than a few liters. Another great option is the Zion Grand Traverse, although I think I heard that part of this got closed due to something.  

I think I’m currently looking at the Zion traverse. It used to be 50 miles and now, due to rockfall is 37. Not sure of the previous path. It’s basically starting at the grotto and finishing at Kolob.

The Paria linkup mentioned earlier is around 21 miles and has a ton of slot canyons. Looks amazing but would be very dependent on rain or flash flooding potential.

My dad thinks I should do something called Left fork/subway. Pictures look cool but I’ll need to look closer at what that is.

Zironman sounds wild. I don’t think I’m willing to deal with the logistics.

Grand Canyon R2R2R is what? 42 miles? Maybe it’s possible for me in a very long day.

Flights to St George are booked, I’ve got some time to choose an adventure.

R2R2R is ~48 miles. But it's 48 of the easiest-terrain miles you'll ever do. The trails are amazing. Sure, there's fairly radical elevation gain and loss but you couldn't ask to do it on nicer trails.

When I did the Zion Grand Traverse it was right around the same, 48-50 miles or something. R2R2R and the Zion Grand Traverse took me roughly the same amount of time. A friend went last year and did the "new" 37mi version and loved it. Go do that if you don't want the distance of R2R2R. Either option though, recovery is likely to take you a fair bit before you climb again. When I did the Grand Traverse I climbed in Zion a few days prior. Climbing immediately following it would not have worked. I wasn't too torn up afterward but it does take a bit of a toll on you.

ClimbingOn wrote:

R2R2R is ~48 miles. But it's 48 of the easiest-terrain miles you'll ever do. The trails are amazing. Sure, there's fairly radical elevation gain and loss but you couldn't ask to do it on nicer trails.

When I did the Zion Grand Traverse it was right around the same, 48-50 miles or something. R2R2R and the Zion Grand Traverse took me roughly the same amount of time. A friend went last year and did the "new" 37mi version and loved it. Go do that if you don't want the distance of R2R2R. Either option though, recovery is likely to take you a fair bit before you climb again. When I did the Grand Traverse I climbed in Zion a few days prior. Climbing immediately following it would not have worked. I wasn't too torn up afterward but it does take a bit of a toll on you.

I’ve got 5 days there, I figure I’ll sport climb a day or two, maybe even 3 if all works out well, then do the big hike and come home with swollen feet.

That's a perfect plan.