Quiet hikes Utah - Capitol Reef / Grand Staircase?
Apr 6th, 2017, 07:48 PM
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Quiet hikes Utah - Capitol Reef / Grand Staircase?
I will be visiting Utah at the end of April for a week.
Would like to do some half or full day hikes. I've been to Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands and Arches on previous trips so I wanted to focus on some quieter areas without crowds.
Looking for amazing scenery but a bit more solitude....But not so much solitude I may get lost and fall in a slot canyon like the guy in the movie!
I was thinking Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase Escalante. Are those good options? A few years ago I did Needles district of Canyonlands and loved it because it was quieter.
Questions
1. Is Capitol Reef nice, and are there good hikes? Where is the best town to base yourself.
2. Is Grand Staircase Escalante worth it? I don't hear of many people going there. Can you do day hikes there? From where should I base myself. (note: I will just have an ordinary rental car)
3. I will be coming to/from Phoenix, so please let me know the best route, should I do a loop up to Page to Kanab up the 12, and then back down via Blanding/Mexican Hat/Moki Dugway?
Would like to do some half or full day hikes. I've been to Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands and Arches on previous trips so I wanted to focus on some quieter areas without crowds.
Looking for amazing scenery but a bit more solitude....But not so much solitude I may get lost and fall in a slot canyon like the guy in the movie!
I was thinking Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase Escalante. Are those good options? A few years ago I did Needles district of Canyonlands and loved it because it was quieter.
Questions
1. Is Capitol Reef nice, and are there good hikes? Where is the best town to base yourself.
2. Is Grand Staircase Escalante worth it? I don't hear of many people going there. Can you do day hikes there? From where should I base myself. (note: I will just have an ordinary rental car)
3. I will be coming to/from Phoenix, so please let me know the best route, should I do a loop up to Page to Kanab up the 12, and then back down via Blanding/Mexican Hat/Moki Dugway?
Apr 6th, 2017, 09:45 PM
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The guy who fell into a slot was Aron Ralston in Bluejohn Canyon fourteen years ago. An 800 pound boulder fell down and wedged his arm against the canyon wall. The problem of this very experienced hiker is that he did not inform anyone of his hike. End result is that he cut off his arm with a small knife and managed to escape the canyon.
1) Capitol Reef - yes many especially to Cassidy Arch
2) Grand Staircase - this is huge area covering 1,880,461 acres, but for your application, the town of Escalante is the best launch point with many trails off the Hole In the Rock Road.
3) Your choice depending on your touring interest. In my opinion, Page is not worth a stop, including their slots, unless you have excess vacation time.
Since there are endless options, I suggest purchasing some books. Probably buy all of them for less than one night's lodging on Amazon. This is my recommended list:
1. Hiking (very serious): Books by Michael R. Kelsey. We have his entire collection. http://kelseyguidebooks.com/ His hiking direction require some previous hiking skills. Print copy only.
2. Hiking (family): Wow Utah Canyon Country - Excellent book. Print copy only
3. Backroad 4-wheel driving: Canyonland National Park Favorite Jeep Roads and Hiking Trails. White Rim Trail (road) is the premier scenic area in Island In The Sky. This book has an excellent description of that 110 mile super-scenic 4-wheel drive road.
4. Touring guide focusing exclusively on Utah Parks for driving, hiking and Mountain Biking: Zion to Escalante, Utah and its companion Escalante to Moab. In Kindle and paper back format. This book gives a life-saving mile-by-mile driving guide.
5. As above, but less detailed for Utah: Fodor's Utah: with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks (Travel Guide)
7 Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West (Full-color Travel Guide) Paperback – May 10, 2016
Vaga
1) Capitol Reef - yes many especially to Cassidy Arch
2) Grand Staircase - this is huge area covering 1,880,461 acres, but for your application, the town of Escalante is the best launch point with many trails off the Hole In the Rock Road.
3) Your choice depending on your touring interest. In my opinion, Page is not worth a stop, including their slots, unless you have excess vacation time.
Since there are endless options, I suggest purchasing some books. Probably buy all of them for less than one night's lodging on Amazon. This is my recommended list:
1. Hiking (very serious): Books by Michael R. Kelsey. We have his entire collection. http://kelseyguidebooks.com/ His hiking direction require some previous hiking skills. Print copy only.
2. Hiking (family): Wow Utah Canyon Country - Excellent book. Print copy only
3. Backroad 4-wheel driving: Canyonland National Park Favorite Jeep Roads and Hiking Trails. White Rim Trail (road) is the premier scenic area in Island In The Sky. This book has an excellent description of that 110 mile super-scenic 4-wheel drive road.
4. Touring guide focusing exclusively on Utah Parks for driving, hiking and Mountain Biking: Zion to Escalante, Utah and its companion Escalante to Moab. In Kindle and paper back format. This book gives a life-saving mile-by-mile driving guide.
5. As above, but less detailed for Utah: Fodor's Utah: with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks (Travel Guide)
7 Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West (Full-color Travel Guide) Paperback – May 10, 2016
Vaga
Apr 7th, 2017, 04:51 PM
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I really like Capitol Reef and usually go every other year. I live in Utah so I visit our parks often.
MY favorite hikes in Capitol Reef are Hickman Bridge and Golden Throne. I havent done the Cassidy Arch Frying Pan trail all the way yet. Hichman Bridge will have a few people, but not throngs. Golden Throne might have a couple others on it.
In Escalante Calf Creek Falls is a great hike with a gorgeous reward, but its very popular and will be busy on a weekend. On my next trip in Sept, Im going to hike the Fremont River to the Thousand Hands petroglyph panel. This is never a busy trailhead. There are famous slot canyon hikes, some require permits, some dont. A rental car on the graded gravel roads will be an issue. Only you can decide it you want to accept the risk and cost for damage, towing. I havent done these hikes because I usually hike solo and I would not go out in these canyons alone. If you want to go, look into a guide. There are several in Escalante and Boulder. There is an easy slot canyon in and back hike called Willis Creek. I havent done this myself yet either, but its on the Sept plan.
If you decide to hike in a remote area solo, be sure to check in with the local ranger station or visitors center. Let them know where you are going and when you expect to return. Tell them you will definitely return to check back in. If you don't, someone needs to start looking for you.
MY favorite hikes in Capitol Reef are Hickman Bridge and Golden Throne. I havent done the Cassidy Arch Frying Pan trail all the way yet. Hichman Bridge will have a few people, but not throngs. Golden Throne might have a couple others on it.
In Escalante Calf Creek Falls is a great hike with a gorgeous reward, but its very popular and will be busy on a weekend. On my next trip in Sept, Im going to hike the Fremont River to the Thousand Hands petroglyph panel. This is never a busy trailhead. There are famous slot canyon hikes, some require permits, some dont. A rental car on the graded gravel roads will be an issue. Only you can decide it you want to accept the risk and cost for damage, towing. I havent done these hikes because I usually hike solo and I would not go out in these canyons alone. If you want to go, look into a guide. There are several in Escalante and Boulder. There is an easy slot canyon in and back hike called Willis Creek. I havent done this myself yet either, but its on the Sept plan.
If you decide to hike in a remote area solo, be sure to check in with the local ranger station or visitors center. Let them know where you are going and when you expect to return. Tell them you will definitely return to check back in. If you don't, someone needs to start looking for you.
Apr 7th, 2017, 08:42 PM
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Dayle - Where is the 1,000 hand panel? I'm a petro/picto admirer
from the Navajo Nation to the Grand Gallery and Harvest Scene.
Willis Creek slot is south of Cannonville on Johnson Canyon Road. IT is about 6.5 miles where a parking lot to the right is the trailhead with a kiosk information board. There are two segments. Hike past the first short to the real slot.
Suggest driving another 1.8 miles to Bull Canyon slot. As the road passes over that slot, to the left is a truck wedged into that slot. Three men died there. Can only be seen from the bottom.
Capitol Reef. Hike up to Chimney rock and then down to Spring Canyon. Once at the bottom, go in either direction. If turning left, there is a spring to the right. As I recall it is about 200 +++ hundred yards. Should have taken a GPS, but did not. Check with the ranger.
Behind the visitor center is a pioneer kiln for making limestone. Interesting process
Vaga
from the Navajo Nation to the Grand Gallery and Harvest Scene.
Willis Creek slot is south of Cannonville on Johnson Canyon Road. IT is about 6.5 miles where a parking lot to the right is the trailhead with a kiosk information board. There are two segments. Hike past the first short to the real slot.
Suggest driving another 1.8 miles to Bull Canyon slot. As the road passes over that slot, to the left is a truck wedged into that slot. Three men died there. Can only be seen from the bottom.
Capitol Reef. Hike up to Chimney rock and then down to Spring Canyon. Once at the bottom, go in either direction. If turning left, there is a spring to the right. As I recall it is about 200 +++ hundred yards. Should have taken a GPS, but did not. Check with the ranger.
Behind the visitor center is a pioneer kiln for making limestone. Interesting process
Vaga
Apr 8th, 2017, 10:42 AM
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My apologies! I gave wrong info. It's 100 Hand pictograph (off by a little on the name) and it's above the Escalante River. As mentioned, I haven't done this one yet and need some further research obviously! 
Here's a video link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6NWBd5DrRw
Here's a video link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6NWBd5DrRw
Apr 8th, 2017, 05:55 PM
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1) Yes, Capitol Reef is nice and is generally quieter than the other major parks in the state. Only place with hotels is Torrey just west of the park. Capitol Reef has many hike options. Some are down dirt roads. For the most part these roads are in good condition and a passenger car can travel them, though obviously that can change and weather would be a factor. So would rental car contracts, though many still choose to take a rental down them.
From the paved roads you can enjoy the main Hickman bridge, Grand Wash, Cassidy arch, Fremont River overlook and one of my favorite is Capitol Gorge. Another hike which requires either two vehicles or hitching one way is Suphur Creek. You follow the creek and you will get wet- several waterfalls to negotiate- lots of fun. I try to do something different every time I visit and haven't even scratched the surface as there are many other side canyons along the 100 mile long "reef".
2) Yes, Grand Staircase is worth it... but also many of the best places are off dirt roads. Stay in the town of Escalante. Calf Creek Falls is a must (tough in the middle of a hot day). You can also head down the Escalante river from the Bridge (about 15 miles north of town). This is the same trailhead Dayle is talking about (glad you clarified that river Dayle ;-), I figured that panel was the one I have seen near the Escalante.) If you follow the river (instead of going up the hill to the panel) you can take a day trip to the arch and natural bridge. This route will cross the river numerous times so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. Down the dirt Hole in the Rock road there are a number of great hikes, the most well known being Peekaboo and Spooky. Devil's Garden is also down this road. It is normally okay for a passenger car, but that is your call, a breakdown out there can get expensive. Willis slot is also on a dirt road- a little tougher of a road than Hole in the Rock (it has some hills), but still okay normally.
3) there aren't too many options for routes. If you don't want to back track from Torrey back to Page (that would work) then take take Hwy 95. Maybe take the time for Goblin Valley. You can cut off at 261 and go down Moki Dugway (dirt but ok for rentals as it is a maintained road), and see the Goosenecks and Monument Valley. There are some fun hikes off that road as well. I just spend a weekend exploring some of them and had a great time.
From the paved roads you can enjoy the main Hickman bridge, Grand Wash, Cassidy arch, Fremont River overlook and one of my favorite is Capitol Gorge. Another hike which requires either two vehicles or hitching one way is Suphur Creek. You follow the creek and you will get wet- several waterfalls to negotiate- lots of fun. I try to do something different every time I visit and haven't even scratched the surface as there are many other side canyons along the 100 mile long "reef".
2) Yes, Grand Staircase is worth it... but also many of the best places are off dirt roads. Stay in the town of Escalante. Calf Creek Falls is a must (tough in the middle of a hot day). You can also head down the Escalante river from the Bridge (about 15 miles north of town). This is the same trailhead Dayle is talking about (glad you clarified that river Dayle ;-), I figured that panel was the one I have seen near the Escalante.) If you follow the river (instead of going up the hill to the panel) you can take a day trip to the arch and natural bridge. This route will cross the river numerous times so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. Down the dirt Hole in the Rock road there are a number of great hikes, the most well known being Peekaboo and Spooky. Devil's Garden is also down this road. It is normally okay for a passenger car, but that is your call, a breakdown out there can get expensive. Willis slot is also on a dirt road- a little tougher of a road than Hole in the Rock (it has some hills), but still okay normally.
3) there aren't too many options for routes. If you don't want to back track from Torrey back to Page (that would work) then take take Hwy 95. Maybe take the time for Goblin Valley. You can cut off at 261 and go down Moki Dugway (dirt but ok for rentals as it is a maintained road), and see the Goosenecks and Monument Valley. There are some fun hikes off that road as well. I just spend a weekend exploring some of them and had a great time.
Apr 8th, 2017, 07:50 PM
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Dayle
Thanks for video
This area has many Anasazi sites.
These hands are on my 'bucket'list
As I understand the route, parks north of the Escalante bridge.
Walk south about 100 yards (guess) from the parking lot, then turn right up the hill around some private property. At some point walk south along a rim. That's the best I know
Also, this is a major and popular hike from here to Escalante
Another - bucket list. About 300 yards, on the right is a panel of petro on a cliff behind some trees. 37 46.531 111 25.309
At the bridge there are some storage houses on both side.
Vaga
Vaga
Thanks for video
This area has many Anasazi sites.
These hands are on my 'bucket'list
As I understand the route, parks north of the Escalante bridge.
Walk south about 100 yards (guess) from the parking lot, then turn right up the hill around some private property. At some point walk south along a rim. That's the best I know
Also, this is a major and popular hike from here to Escalante
Another - bucket list. About 300 yards, on the right is a panel of petro on a cliff behind some trees. 37 46.531 111 25.309
At the bridge there are some storage houses on both side.
Vaga
Vaga
Apr 8th, 2017, 08:15 PM
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Hiking in Escalante Area
I've used this book - original issue.
Now Rudi Lambrechtse has updated it and it should be excellent. Available only in print copy. Used version is cheaper.
Hiking the Escalante: In the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, New Edition
Feb 27, 2016
---------------------------------------------------
An overall guide book from auto touring to hiking is below. In Kindle and Print version
Zion to Escalante, Utah: Kolob Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Park, Grand Staircase, Hole In The Rock
Vaga
I've used this book - original issue.
Now Rudi Lambrechtse has updated it and it should be excellent. Available only in print copy. Used version is cheaper.
Hiking the Escalante: In the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, New Edition
Feb 27, 2016
---------------------------------------------------
An overall guide book from auto touring to hiking is below. In Kindle and Print version
Zion to Escalante, Utah: Kolob Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Park, Grand Staircase, Hole In The Rock
Vaga
Apr 9th, 2017, 03:23 PM
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You can search my user name for trip reports (including hotels, dining,and hikes) for Capitol Reef/Torrrey and Escalante, Utah. Great hikes in both places with lovely solitude. My kids did all the hikes with me--so as long as you use basic common sense you should be fine and have a great time!!! A regular rental car can do Hole in the Rock road to a point. But some of the pull offs are really sandy. Capitol Reef--almost all hikes are accessible via regular passenger car.
Apr 9th, 2017, 07:50 PM
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Hole in the Rock road is about 53 miles long
Exceptionally part of Mormon History
http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_cha...xperience.html
Been there twice and walked down to the river which is highly recommend. Very easy hike down, strenuous back up.
Last time was about 3 years ago
At mile 50, 4-wheel drive is required (at that time)
Vaga
Exceptionally part of Mormon History
http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_cha...xperience.html
Been there twice and walked down to the river which is highly recommend. Very easy hike down, strenuous back up.
Last time was about 3 years ago
At mile 50, 4-wheel drive is required (at that time)
Vaga
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