The Rincons Hiking Trip
Introduction:
Downstream from our camp on the Escalante River, the massive Navajo Sandstone formation overlies lies the Kayenta Formation. Clay layers in the Kayenta have eroded, undermining the Navajo & forcing water out of this porous sandstone. The result is large lush bends irrigated by springs beneath tall tapestried walls with plenty of overhangs: the perfect setting for Anasazi living areas. Upstream, the sheer red walls enclose and overhang the river. |
| The trip maybe 5 or 6 days,
please check the schedule. |
| Departures: |
| Not currently on the schedule for 2010. |
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| For a complete list of 2010 departure dates please visit our calendar |
Rating:
Each day hike on this trip into the Escalante Canyon 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 6 miles
with a loss of 600 feet in elevation. |
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. The 6 mile hike
to camp is over sand and colorful slickrock with waterpockets
and sandstone sculptures and giant monuments of different shapes
hundreds of feet high. |
| Day 2 - On this day we will explore downstream including the
area of Sam Sheffield¹s 1890s homestead on the river. As
we follow a ledge trail high above the river we pass colossal
overhangs that shelter 1000 year old granaries and pecked steps
that seem to go straight up the canyon walls. A vine covered
chimney, giant cottonwoods in a lush bend, a hidden grotto with
a pool, granaries & ruins, pictographs & petroglyphs
and cool springs greet us on this hike down stream and in a side
canyon. |
| Day 3 - Upstream are more Anasazi ruins - granaries, living
quarters, rock art panels & towering tapestried walls. We
reach a side canyon with a stream and follow its beautiful winding
wash. Some of us can climb a route up for a view of waves of
colorful slickrock and canyons in all directions. |
| Day 4 - We climb out of the canyon and follow the slickrock
rim down to a lunch spot on a point 800' straight above the river.
We will view the largest pictograph panel on the Escalante River
then follow the river meanders through cottonwood forests beneath
tapestried walls back to camp. |
| Day 5 - Further upstream the canyon narrows with the walls
following the river meanders. This stretch has some of the most
beautiful walls on the Escalante. One short side canyon is a
cathedral. An overland route back to camp traverses slickrock
domes with twisted trees. |
| Day 6 - We head back out a different route than day 1 passing
dramatic pour offs into the deep canyon. We return to Boulder
by about 6 pm (dinner not included). |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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