Intro: This guided hiking trip takes us through one of the most beautiful stretches
of the Escalante River. We will hike up onto the wild slickrock
land above the canyon where flint chippings from the 1000 year
old Anasazi culture litter the sand. We will also explore the
lush canyon bottom, where you will discover cool grottoes, hidden
side canyons and many pools along the river deep enough to swim
in. In order to explore the country and accommodate different
interests and abilities we split into smaller groups on the day
hikes.
For a complete list of 2012 departure dates please visit our calendar
Rating: Each day hike 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. The hike into this
base camp is rated moderate. The hike to base camp is 4.5 miles
of slickrock, sand and canyon bottom walking. Elevation difference
is 600 feet.
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. What follows 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, about 35 miles,
arrive at our trailhead at the end of the road, eat lunch and
start our hike over the colorful slickrock beneath massive buttes
of Navajo Sandstone, then descend through a crack canyon to the
Escalante River.
Day 2 - We wade downstream under enormous overhanging tapestried
red walls and enter a colossal sandstone room with a reflecting
pool. Later we turn up a side canyon and hike back over multi-colored
slickrock to the view from the Cauliflower Knoll.
Day 3 - We hike downstream to an area with 4 rincons, springs
& an area where the Anasazi lived and farmed. Extensive rock
art panels, a stone masonry house with collapsed roof and granaries
under red-streaked walls are all part of the hike.
Day 4 - This day is to explore the slickrock and pools above
the river. We will climb up through Marble Notch with an option
to climb a fin to a higher sandstone point.
Day 5 - We hike into a maze of crack canyons, some with water. To get to the end of an optional side canyon, you have to swim, chimney and climb repeatedly. We emerge on the desert a couple miles from the trail head. Drive back to Boulder, arriving by 6 p.m. (dinner not included).