Escalante Canyon Outfitters
Hiking Adventures in the Escalante Canyons
 
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Escalante Canyon Outfitters
P.O. Box 1330
Boulder, Utah 84716
info@ecohike.com

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Navajo Gorges Corridors Escalante River Gorge Rincons Kayenta Passages Narrows
Little Rockies Wingate Canyons II Lower Wingate Waterpocket Fold Glen Canyon One

The Kayenta Passages Hiking Trip
 
Rating:
The hike into this base camp on the Escalante River is rated moderate and involves a 4.5 mile hike to base camp with 1200 feet of elevation loss and steep elevation changes.
Each guided day hike into the Escalante Canyons offers the opportunity for difficult and demanding routes, however the only required hiking and the basis for the rating is that into and out of base camp.
Departures:
Sept. 7 - 11, 2008
Sept. 14 - 19, 2008
Sept. 21 - 25, 2008

Intro:
This beautiful area is rich in archeology, prehistory and history with a full range of stunning geologic formations. Prehistoric Indians left evidence of their occupation and the first pioneers used these side canyons to by-pass the almost impassible Hole in the Rock route. Segments of wagon road and inscriptions remain as do rock art, granaries and pecked steps from the 1000 year old Anasazi whose secret trails we follow. Camp is located on the largest sandy beach we have found on the Escalante River.

In order to explore the country and accommodate different interests and abilities we split into smaller groups on some day hikes; on the first and last days of the trip we hike as one group. This trip is 5 or 6 days long, please check the schedule.
Every trip is different because of weather, the group and, most importantly, spontaneity. Our trips are about exploring; this land is so vast and intricate that we always make new discoveries. The following is a sample description of what you may expect.
Itinerary: 
Day 1 - We meet at the Burr Trail Outpost & Grill in Boulder, UT at 9 am. We provide a duffel bag for your gear (25 lbs. max.) & drive to the trail head to start our hike from a wooded bench above the canyon. From this point, 1,200 feet above the Escalante River, we have a bird's eye view of the area we will be exploring and of the entire central Escalante canyons with the Henry Mountains and the Aquarius Plateau on the horizon. We descend the stair-like slickrock to a sandy bench then down to camp.
Day 2 - This red rock canyon hike begins with inscriptions from some of the first white men to enter this area in the late 1800's. After a mile of hiking we enter the deep red Wingate formation and follow the incredable winding course. Tapestried walls lean out over our heads. As the canyon deepens we enter the colorful bentonite hills beneath the Wingate. Some may want to opt for a dramatic route over the top back to camp.
Day 3 - With its enormous overhangs and lush riparian area we explore the ultimate Navajo sandstone canyon. We hike up the forested stream bed beneath spectacular walls and find Anasazi granaries, moki steps, rock art and the 1880's 'Emigrant Steps.'
Day 4 - We hike upstream on ancient trails that follow the Kayenta ledges above the river. Past oak groves and springs pouring from the Navaho sandstone we arrive at the base of a huge overhanging wall to view the largest pictograph panel on the entire Escalante. Further upstream perched on a ledge above the wooded bottom are the ancient remains of walls, grind stones and camps. Nearby, past remnants of a turn of the century wagon road, some of us will climb out 'Moki Steps' to the bench for a view, then back down an old stock trail to camp.
Day 5 - An old retired cowboy told us tales of a 'tattered sheepherder' named Moody who ran sheep on and off a bench above the river in the 1910's but didn't know the exact whereabouts of the trail. We have found the trail and follow the circuitous route up the ledges to an incredible view into side canyons and along the river. Some may hike over dunes of slickrock to another old trail into a side canyon while others may opt for an earlier return to camp with a guide.
Day 6 - We pack up our tents & gear and climb up the old horse trail into the rincon where we visit an ancient petroglyph panel & a nearby spring gurgling from a wall feeding a grove of oaks and box elder trees. We return to Boulder by about 6 pm (dinner not included).
 
Spring and fall are beautiful times of year to explore both the canyons and the slickrock country above. The weather is generally warm in the day and cool in the evening with a 30 to 40 degree temperature difference between the high and low. Layers of clothing are the key to comfort.