Escalante River Backpack

escalante river backpack
Escalante River Gorge Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument The Escalante River flows through a deep, beautiful canyon and this section is the easiest to hike. In addition to the scenery, there are pictographs, granaries, arches, cool side canyons, and more! This is an easy hike, perfect for the backpacking beginner or for someone that wants a leisurely hike through a spectacular canyon. Campsites can be found throughout the length of the canyon and water is readily available.
Most people hike down canyon from the Escalante Trail Head to the Hwy 12 Bridge Trail Head. Because this is a point to point hike, two vehicles are needed or arrange for a shuttle. Hitchhiking from the bridge back to town is possible, though unpredictable. Upon entering the canyon from the west, Pine Creek enters from the north supplying a small stream of water into the Escalante River. The first six miles of the canyon are characterized by high, steep walls and an open canyon bottom. Death Hollow drains in from the north six miles in and the character of the canyon changes. The canyon begins to open up and the streamside vegetation increases. Death Hollow is an amazing canyon and worth exploring. Watch out for poison ivy in Death Hollow. Sand Creek drains in from the north after 10 miles an increases the flow in the Escalante River. From Sand Creek, watch for a high arch and Escalante Natural Bridge on the south side of the canyon.
maps / guide books
Trails Illustrated: Canyons of the Escalante Hiking the Escalante Custom Topo: Boulder Mail Trail / Escalante River Come in to Utah Canyons Desert Adventure Store for shuttle services, more information and advice on this hike.

hike summary

Rating: Easy
Distance: 15 miles one way
Topography: Elevation loss of 500 feet from Escalante TH to the Hwy 12 Bridge TH.
Access: Hwy 12; Escalante TH is less than a mile off of Hwy 12, the Hwy 12 Bridge TH is on the hwy.
Water: Year round water is available in the Escalante River
Fee: None, free overnight permit required.

getting there

Getting to the Hwy 12 Bridge Trail Head from Escalante generally takes less than one-half hour depending upon road and weather conditions.

The Escalante Trail Head is located just east of town. Turn into the town cemetery and proceed through the cattle guard to the right. Follow this road for a quarter mile and take the first left. Follow this road for a quarter mile to the trail head. This can be done in an automobile.

To reach the Hwy 12 Bridge Trail Head from Escalante take Hwy 12 east 15 miles to the bridge over the Escalante River. The entrance to the trail head is 100 feet past the bridge on the left.