Key Information: Tour Duration: 5
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 12
people Destination(s):Utah Specialty Categories:Hiking & Trekking Season: January - December Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 1195 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 1195 US Dollar (USD)
This area offers many day hikes which can be difficult and demanding routes and is not for those with a fear of heights. 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. 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. In order to explore the country and accommodate different interests and abilities we split into smaller groups on the day hikes.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 - We meet at our office at 9 am. We provide a duffel bag for your gear (25 lbs. max.) and 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 and 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 slick rock 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 slick rock 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 slick rock 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).
