One of the logistical challenges for anyone planning a long-distance hike is the necessity to obtain the appropriate backcountry permits, especially when traversing the National Parks. For example, for the Hayduke Trail, it is necessary to plan for hiking through Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, and Grand Canyon National Parks. Most pertinently, a permit is required when camping in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Details are available here.

 

Since the Mabeline Trail crosses Needles via Salt Creek, then this needs to be taken into account when planning the hike. In addition, any overnight hike in this part of Needles requires a hard-sided bear-canister to be carried. Details are available here:

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"Campers at Salt Creek 1, 2, 3, and 4 campsites and the Salt/Horse Zone in The Needles must store all food, beverages, and associated containers, garbage, and all scented items in a hard-sided, park-approved animal-resistant food container, capable of preventing access by wildlife, at least 100 feet from camp."

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When researching the Mabeline Trail, I realized that there was the possibility of hiking through the Needles area without the requirement of a backcountry permit or a bear-canister. This would, however, require crossing the National Park as a day-hike, rather than as part of an overnight hike. The problem is that there is no established trail through the park that could realistically be hiked in a single day. However, there is a little-used route that traverses several small side canyons and exits the park via a steep rubble slope and high saddle. The hike is over 15 miles, but does offer the possibility of crossing this section of the National Park, without requiring a permit (in the trail guide, I haven't provided specific details of this route, but I can supply details for anyone, on request). Warning: this trail is in a remote area, where it is unlikely that help in an emergency situation would be readily available. In addition, between entering the National Park, and the reliable water at Stanley Spring in Beef Basin, there is no guarantee of water availability for over 25 miles. Finally, the rubble slope described is steep and difficult, where a slip could lead to serious injury. This route should be taken at your own risk.

Whatever route is taken across the Needles District, starting from Lockhart Basin, and ending in Beef Basin, water availability is a key concern. The original route of the Hayduke Trail crossed the area via an almost entirely dry trail, traversing The Grabens and then following Butler Wash, before finally arriving at Homewater Spring in Beef Basin. There is therefore almost 30 miles between water sources. Most Hayduke hikers now opt to follow a route from Lockhart Basin via Salt Creek. The advantage of this option is that there is reliable water available at Needles Outpost, Upper/Lower Jump, Kirk Spring, and most likely Peekaboo Spring. From Kirk Spring, there is then only 15 miles until water is obtained at Stanley Spring in Beef Basin.

 

For the Mabeline Trail, although the National Park can be traversed in a single day, there is 22 miles between likely water at Peekaboo Spring in Salt Creek, and Stanley Spring in Beef Basin (27 miles from guaranteed water at Needles Outpost). It may therefore be preferable for many people hiking the Mabeline Trail to consider taking the southern Salt Creek alternate when crossing the Needles District. The disadvantage is that a backcountry permit will be required for the nights spent inside the National Park, and also that a bear-canister must be carried. The advantage is the improved availability of water, and the chance to spend additional time exploring an incredibly beautiful canyon. It should also be noted that permits for the very popular Salt Creek area usually need to be obtained several months in advance.