Escalante Subdistrict Details
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Escalante is a small town, typical of rural southern Utah, however most major tourist services are available, including: 6 motels, 1 Bed & Breakfast, 2 RV Parks, 3 gas stations (including towing service and auto mechanic), 6 restaurants, 2 grocery stores, a farm supply center, art galleries and gift shops. There is a medical clinic that is open Monday through Friday. The nearest hospital is in Panguitch, about 70 miles west of Escalante.
The Escalante Interagency Office is located on the west side of town. This houses a visitor information center, as well as the combined offices for the Dixie National Forest, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Escalante Subdistrict of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM from mid-March through the end of October. The remainder of the year it is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. There are also numerous Forest Service, BLM, and State Park campgrounds in the area.
The Escalante Canyons include some of the most remote, wild and beautiful country in the Southwest. The Escalante, last river in the continental U.S. to be named, meanders slowly between towering canyon walls. Its tributaries, also deeply entrenched in sandstone, contain such features as arches, natural bridges and waterfalls. The area is reminiscent of Glen Canyon before Lake Powell and offers some of the finest opportunities for desert hiking on the Colorado Plateau.
Escalante Subdistrict Details
Administration and Information
Public lands in the area are administered by the National Park Service within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the Bureau of Land Management within the Escalante Resource Area, and the U.S. Forest Service within the Dixie National Forest. Each agency maintains an office in the Escalante Interagency Office Building and Visitor Information Center on the west side of town along Highway 12. The Information Center is open daily from mid-March through October and Monday-Friday the rest of the year. The Information Center telephone number is (801) 826-5499.
Information about the Escalante area may be obtained from the following agencies:
Escalante Interagency Visitor Information Center
PO Box 511
Escalante, UT 84726
(801) 826-5499
National Park Service, Glen Canyon NRA
PO Box 511
Escalante, UT 84726
(801) 826-4315
Bureau of Land Management, Escalante Resource Area
PO Box 225
Escalante, UT
(801) 826-4291
U.S. Forest Service, Dixie National Forest
PO Box 246
Escalante, UT
84726 (801) 826-5400
Emergencies:
In addition to the above numbers, you may call these numbers in case of emergency:
National Park Service 24 Hour Dispatch: 1-800-582-4351
Garfield Country Sheriff: (801) 676-2411
From Within Garfield County: 911
Permits:
Persons planning to hike overnight within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are required to obtain a free Backcountry Use Permit before commencing; overnight hikers visiting Bureau of Land Management administered lands need to obtain the same permit. These permits help provide statistical information which assists resource monitoring and management. Route itinerary information can help personnel locate hikers should an emergency occur or a search effort for overdue hikers be necessary.
Permits for commercial trips are also required by the NPS, BLM and USFS; a fee is charged. Organized groups such as hiking clubs, Boy Scouts and schools also need permits; contact the appropriate agency for a determination as to the type of permit required.
Water:
Water availability varies from hike to hike. An abundance of springs may be available on some hikes; other hikes may have no water at all. ALWAYS FILTER OR BOIL WATER SINCE Giardia OR OTHER PATHOGENS MAY BE PRESENT.
Weather:
The best months for hiking the canyons are March thru mid-June and September and October. Springtime weather may vary from warm days and cool nights to rainy and even snowy conditions. Summer months bring very hot temperatures while autumn usually promises pleasant hiking weather. Winter temperatures may dip well below zero.
Thunderstorm season is from mid-July thru September and is the period when flash flood danger is greatest. Flash floods may occur anytime, however, so keep an eye on the sky--especially before entering a narrow canyon. Camp above the flood plain each night to avoid an unpleasant "midnight surprise." Remember that storms several miles away may cause flash floods where you are, even though you are enjoying clear skies.
Available Services
Escalante (pop. 800): 4 motels; 4 restaurants (two seasonal); 3 gas stations, one with tow truck and mechanic service; auto parts store; 2 grocery stores; 2 commercial campgrounds; Escalante Petrified Forest State Park and campground; sporting goods store, bank, telephone office and post office.
Boulder (pop. 125): 1 motel; 2 gas station/convenience stores; 2 seasonal restaurants; post office; Boulder Anasazi State Park; 1 commercial campground.
Minimum Impact Camping:
The increasing popularity of wildland recreation has led to unprecedented demands on our backcountry resulting in greater impact on the resources we all love and enjoy. In some cases, areas have been "loved to death." The desert is not indestructible rock and sand; it is a fragile ecosystem and scars take years to heal. Proper low impact hiking and camping is required to preserve this pristine desert country. By being courteous and thoughtful, we can leave the area as we would like it left for us. Additionally, there are also certain requirements for areas within Glen Canyon NRA. Please review and practice the following minimum impact regulations and guidelines.
Group Size:
Large groups cause more impact to trails and campsites and concentrate human waste. They are also more obtrusive and diminish the wilderness experience for others. For these reasons, the recommended group size limit is eight persons. The maximum number of people allowed in the backcountry of the Escalante is twelve. Pack and saddle stock are also limited to twelve animals.
Backcountry Travel:
When hiking, walk on slickrock or sand whenever possible. Stay on established trails to prevent creating new ones. Likewise, never cut switchbacks. Cryptobiotic soils, the dark crust of lichens, fungi, algae and moss which binds desert soils, is easily damaged when walked upon and may take years to regenerate. In canyons, walk in or along streams so that high water will erase your footprints. Following these practices will prevent erosion and soil damage.
Campsite Collection:
When possible, choose an existing campsite with no vegetation or organic soil. Sandy or slickrock benches make the best sites. All campsites should be at least 100 feet, preferably 200 feet, from water sources to prevent contamination. Do not make "improvements" such as trenches or rock structures and avoid trampling vegetation around the perimeter which prevents the campsite from becoming enlarged and barren. When leaving your camp, rehabilitate the area by scattering dead leaves or twigs around. Make sure nothing has been left behind.
Campfires:
Fire rings, charcoal, soot stains on rocks and garbage in fire pits all leave unsightly scars. Charcoal from modern fires may also contaminate archaeological evidence making it impossible to date ancient campfire remains. For these and other reasons, fires are not allowed within Glen Canyon NRA, and are discouraged on BLM administered lands. Besides, the stars or the play of moonlight on canyon walls are experiences you won't want to miss.
Sanitation:
The dry desert climate often preserves waste before decomposition is complete, so extra attention is required. For human waste, dig a "cat hole" six to eight inches deep and at least 100 feet from water sources. Carry out the toilet paper in a plastic bag.
All washing should also be done at least 100 feet from water sources. Use only biodegradable soaps and pour wash water on the ground away from springs and streams.
For some reason, many people find that carrying an empty container out of the backcountry is more work than carrying a full one in. Please think of those who will visit after you and carry out all trash.
Pets and Livestock:
Dogs threaten wildlife and may prevent hikers from seeing any animals. They also foul campsites, trails and streams, so their excrement must be disposed of in the same manner as human waste. Additionally, they may get into trouble in this rugged country. For their own safety, to prevent intrusions on others and for your convenience, pets are best left at home. If you do bring a pet, they must be kept on a leash within Glen Canyon NRA.
Saddle and pack stock are welcome, however processed feed must be carried to prevent spread of noxious weeds. Picket stock away from campsites and water sources and in a manner to prevent pawing of roots or stripping bark.
Camping Gear:
Brightly colored packs and tents shrink the wilderness by being so noticeable. Use drab colored gear and camp where your tent will not be easily seen.
Noise:
Loud noises, yelling and radio music disturb others who may be enjoying the quiet solitude of the canyons. Please observe quiet hours after dark.
Hikes in the Escalante
The canyons of the Escalante River offer many fascinating trips. The Escalante is rugged country with no formal trail system. Hikers should be experienced in the use of map and compass and thoroughly familiar with the techniques of canyon and slickrock hiking. Maps and other information are available at the Interagency Visitor Information Center in the town of Escalante. Always consult with a ranger at the Information Center for route information, trail and weather conditions, and other necessary information needed for a safe trip.
The following are just a few of the many hikes available in the Escalante wilderness. Happy trails!
Moody Creek
From your vehicle, follow the road one mile to the wash, enter the wash, and proceed downstream. Middle Moody Canyon is quite broad and open and has many colorful Chinle formations topped by cliffs of Wingate sandstone. Walking is easy, as it is throughout most of this hike. The canyon gradually narrows; the Chinle formation diminishes, and the Wingate cliffs become dominant by the time you reach Main Moody Canyon.
Follow Main Moody Canyon downstream to the Escalante River. You can retrace your steps, or you can make a loop hike by walking down the Escalante River 1.5 miles to East Moody Canyon. Ascend the canyon and take the north branch. Continue up the north branch to the next fork. Take the right fork, but instead of following the bottom of the canyon, climb the ridge between the two canyons and follow the remains of an old uranium exploration road. This is a continuation of the road from the Purple Hills to Middle Moody Canyon. It leads out of the north branch of East Moody Canyon through a saddle and down into Middle Moody Canyon.
Views from the saddle include extensive, richly-colored exposures of the Chinle formation and an expansive view to the north of the upper reaches of Middle Moody Canyon, the Circle Cliffs, and Deer Point. Below the saddle on the north is the remains of an old uranium exploration camp. Follow the road down past the cabin and west along the south side of upper Middle Moody Canyon. The road follows the south side of this inner canyon until the canyon ends and can be crossed. You can walk back up the road to your vehicle.
Davis Gulch:
When hiking from the Fiftymile Point area, stay close to Fiftymile Creek for the first .5 mile, then stay somewhat to the west of Davis Gulch and hike parallel to it until you reach the stock trail area. Getting too close to the rim of Davis Gulch results in much more up and down walking over rolling slickrock, especially near the upper end of the gulch. A small slot canyon tributary, difficult to cross, will also be encountered about a mile north of the road - if you are too close to the rim.
About 3.5 - 4 miles from the road, observe the small plateau on the opposite side of Davis Gulch. A notch in the plateau's side near the top is a landmark for finding the stock trail. (A much larger notch can also be seen downstream in Davis Gulch. This larger notch is about .25 mile downstream of the stock trail.) When you are directly opposite the first notch, head toward the canyon rim to find a bowl-shaped depression. The stock trail may not be readily apparent, but you can find it if you explore around a bit.
From the bottom of the stock trail, the hike downstream to Lake Powell or upstream to the pouroff is straightforward. Please follow established trails where possible, and avoid starting new ones, especially near the lower end of the gulch.
An alternate entrance into Davis Gulch is a challenging scramble down through the narrows at the upper end. This involves chimneying down past several chockstones and pouroffs. Much of the route is very difficult. One long slickrock chute ends in a dropoff into a pool and cannot be climbed back up unless a rope is left in place. Other pools may be deep enough to require swimming, or they may be dry, depending on recent weather. If this route is taken, it is best to continue on down the canyon and return by way of the stock trail and across the bench.
Fiftymile Creek:
Hikers starting from the Cave Point trailhead will encounter a pouroff about .3 mile down the channel from the road. This obstacle is easily circumvented by
backtracking a short distance and exiting the stream channel on the north side. Parallel the channel and drop back down to the streambed once you are past the pouroff. Other than this one pouroff, there are no other obstacles on either route.
About .3 mile beyond the confluence of the two major tributaries, the small stream of water appears. A short distance farther is an alcove-type arch on the north rim high above the streambed.
Entering from the north about 2.25 miles from the confluence of the two tributaries is a side canyon well worth exploring. This short tributary progressively narrows to a point where some interesting chimneying (a rock climbing technique) possibilities are available to those who are so inclined. If you have a Davis Gulch quadrangle, notice how this side canyon lies along a northwest-southeast joint which has created similar side canyons in Willow Gulch to the north and Davis Gulch and Clear Creek to the south
Downstream from this tributary is the short narrows section where wading will be required. You can continue down the canyon for some distance beyond the narrows, depending on the current level of Lake Powell.
Harris Wash:
Harris Wash offers an excellent opportunity to see a streamcourse develop from a broad, sandy wash to a deeply-entrenched canyon. A minimum of two days should be spent exploring Harris Wash. Begin the hike from the trailhead by walking downstream in the wash bottom. Do not cross the wash and continue on the road, for it leads only to an abandoned drill pad.
About 3.5 miles downstream, the creek passes through a narrow notch. To the north of the notch is an abandoned stream meander, known as a rincon, which was created when the stream cut through and straightened its course. To the south is a brushy side canyon which comes to a pouroff about one-third of a mile up.
Harris Wash continues its winding course 7 miles to the Escalante River. Two more side canyons enter the wash from the south, and, though brushy, can provide interesting exploring opportunities. As the canyon nears the Escalante River, high cliff walls soar, streaked with magnificent patterns of desert varnish. The lower three miles of Harris Wash exhibit the scale and grandeur typical of the canyons of the Escalante.
Once you reach the Escalante River, you can continue upstream about one-third mile to the stark, dry, extremely beautiful Silver Falls Creek, which enters from the east. You may wish to spend a day exploring this extraordinary canyon which derived its name from the great streaks of desert varnish which drape the canyon's walls. Silver Falls Creek is generally dry, so carry all the water you may need.
Coyote Gulch - Hurricane Wash:
Coyote Gulch contains two arches, a natural bridge, and several waterfalls. It is easy to understand why this beautiful canyon is by far the most popular hiking destination of all the canyons of the Escalante. When hiking in Coyote Gulch in spring or fall, plan on encountering a number of other visitors.
A minimum of three days will be required to explore the length of Coyote Gulch. From Red Well or Hurricane trailhead, the canyon develops from wide, sandy washes to a narrow canyon with towering walls. Follow the wash downstream from either trailhead. Hurricane Wash joins Coyote Gulch about 5 miles from the Hurricane Wash trailhead.
The hike through the lush riparian zone of Coyote Gulch is relatively easy - except for those two exceptions. At the second waterfall below Cliff Arch, follow the ledge along the south wall to a place about 100 feet downstream where it is possible to scramble down off the ledges.
About 0.4 mile up Coyote Gulch from the Escalante River is an impenetrable boulder jam. To bypass this obstacle, follow the trail on the right-hand side of the stream across the lower portion of a sand slide and then traverse the fairly steep slickrock slope. (Stay low and near the edge.) The slickrock slope ends at a ledge about 5.5 feet high against which lean several small logs to assist hikers in climbing back up.
You can enjoy an outstanding view from the canyon rim by hiking from Fortymile Ridge to Crack-in-the-Wall. After scrambling down through the crack - a narrow route between the cliff face and huge rock slabs which have peeled off the cliff - a trail leads down a steep sand dune to lower Coyote Gulch. It is great to hike down the dune, but it is definitely strenuous hiking back up! The elevation difference is about 700 feet.
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