Escalante Canyon Outfitters
Escalante Canyon Hiking Adventures.
 
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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
Lower Cross Escalante Canyons of the Little Rockies Wingate Canyons II Lower Wingate Waterpocket Fold Glen Canyon One

Lower Wingate Hiking Trip
Intro:

This trip explores the lower Wingate Sandstone section of the Escalante River where the canyon walls soar 1000 feet above us, a deep reddish purple color with black streaks. This is our most remote trip on the Escalante and one that reaches furthest down the river into the Big Horn Sheep country.

For a complete list of 2012 departure dates please visit our calendar

Rating:
This area offers many day hiking opportunities. Those who opt for the long hikes will be challenged by demanding routes that reach great heights on the edge of sheer cliffs with exciting views if this dramatic part of the Escalante Canyons. 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 and involves a 6.5 mile canyon bottom hike to base camp.

In order to explore the country and accommodate different interests and abilities we split into smaller groups on the day hikes.

Itinerary: 
Day 1 - We meet at the Burr Trail Outpost & Grill at 9 am. We provide a duffel bag for your gear (25 lbs. max.) & drive to the trail head to start our hike which begins in a large canyon surrounded by colorful betonite badlands below a rim of red Wingate Sandstone. As we walk down the wash, a down tilt in the formations causes the painted clay hills to disappear and the sandstone to touch the canyon floor. Water springs to the surface as we pass several rincons (ancient & isolated meanders). We arrive at the Escalante River to see 1000 foot walls, a lush canyon bottom and long bends. After one river crossing we arrive at our base camp by the river.
Day 2 - Today we see one of the most beautiful serpentine side canyons in the Escalante. A clear stream spilling over boulders and majestic tapestried walls mesmerizes us as we wander up this very special side canyon, stopping to enjoy an enormous alcove and a purple shaded grotto. Canyon wrens fill the space between the walls with their cascading call. Those of us who want more can climb a steep route onto the top where smooth slickrock has hundreds of pockets, some filled with water, others with virgin desert gardens.
Day 3 - A beautiful hike up the river takes us past pour-offs, tapestried walls and moki steps (ancient pecked steps). A hidden cleft leads us up to a hanging canyon that ends with a pooled grotto. Later we ascend slickrock domes that lean out over the river 1000 feet below then climb up 500 more feet to spectacular summit views atop sculpted Kayenta formation buttresses. Those who still have energy to burn can opt to hike down into a Wingate narrows where we may chimney and wade between deep folds of sandstone.
Day 4 - We head downstream past petroglyphs, pictographs and a cave with Anasazi potsherds. Then wade beneath the beautiful canyon walls. Some will opt to climb up a steep route where ancient people pecked steps through an arch (Indian Tunnel). This will take us up into the slickrock domes and caves of the Navajo Sandstone 1000 feet above the river.
Day 5 - On this day we pack up camp and enjoy a leisurely paced hike out the side canyon we accessed on the first day. The Wingate Sandstone rises and the colorful clay hills reemerge. Back to Boulder by 7 p.m. (dinner not included).
 
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 preceding is a sample description of what you may expect.
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.