Introduction:
What? :
Hiking in the Grand
Staircase Escalante National Monument is always fun and unique. This is total
of 4.4 out and back easy hike that will take you along the Escalante River
canyon to a large natural bridge/arch, an old pueblo and additional small arch
high on the cliff wall. Plan for 2-3 hours of easy fun hike.
This hike is
part of a longer hike covering all the upper Escalante River canyon, 16 miles
up to the city Escalante, but it is covering a beautiful part of the canyon,
you do not need to hike the 85-miles-long Escalante River to enjoy this
beautiful river landscape.
Where? :
The trail head
is located right at the Escalante River13 miles south of Boulder and 15 miles
north of the town of Escalante, Utah in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument.
The trailhead
has a small parking lot right off Highway 12.
Lower Calf
Creek Falls state park is just a few miles north from this trailhead.
There are
several trails starting at this location.
Google Map Link
When? :
Grand Staircase
Escalante National Monument is open to the public year-round.
The best time
of the year to visit here is during spring (March to May) and fall (late
September to early November), the temperatures are moderate and less risk of
rain.
The winter months
are cold with rain and snow.
Accessing trails
head that are not near a main road can be clanging to get to because of mud,
ice or snow.
When it rain
flash flood is a real danger!
Do not get into
slot canyon or cross large rivers where the water flow is strong and deep.
During few
weeks of early spring, the Escalante River can flow high enough to be difficult
to cross.
Summer months
are hot, and temperatures can reach above 100f. All hikes sections that are not
inside a deep slot canyon are exposed to the sun.
Make sure you
are having sun protection, hat and long sleeves shirts, and carry enough water with
you.
Due note 1:
At the trail head
there is a small parking lot, no need to pay any fee.
If the parking
is full you can park on the nearby roadside.
Due note 2:
No restroom or
water source at the trailhead.
Escalante River
water are very silty, and it must be purified/filter before drinking.
Due note 3:
Keep pets on a
leash and clean up after them.
Due note 4:
I saw somewhere
that it can be buggy in the spring, bring long pants/sleeves and bug repellant.
Due note 5:
Be prepared for
water crossings, you will need to cross the river several times. Wear
appropriate shoes and clothes.
The first
crossing is right at the trail head, if the water is too deep from early spring
snow melt or latest rainstorm up the drainage basin, consider hiking this trail
another time.
Due note 6:
Historic Native
American Rock-Art and historic sites are fragile cultural resources. Stay on
the Trails and avoid Touching the Petroglyphs.
At historic
sites be extra careful with old structures stone walls, do not touch or take a broken
pottery or stone tools, leave them where you see them.
Leave no marks
or graffiti, to preserve the integrity of these historical sites for future
generations.
Due note 7:
This is a family
friendly hike if they can cross the creek, when the water fallow is low this is
not a problem at all.
Due note 8:
This is a very
popular hike, and you will probably encounter many other people, but it does
not fill crowded.
The Hike:
The trailhead
parking is easy to reach, just of the only highway crossing Grand Staircase
Escalante south to north, highway 12.
From the
parking lot the Natural Bridge trail clearly marked and follow up the river (do
not turn left and cross the road/bridge and go down-river, this is a different
hike).
The first river
crossing is right after you get into the trail. During most of the month this
is no more than knee deep, and the current is do not too swift.
When I hiked
here (Sep 2024) it was very easy to cross the river, you must get wet and there
are no way to do rock-hopping to avoid that.
After crossing the river, the trail turn right and pass a private property. From here the trail follow along the riverbanks you will find large native cottonwoods and willow, in hot summer days they will provide some protection from the sun.
At
other sections where the river band in a large loop the trail cut through and
cross the open landscape covered.
The trail is
mainly sandy, but it is not difficult, you will cross the river for 4 more
times, look for the trail on the other side.
At one of the
large openings, after hiking about mile and a half, you will see above the tree
line in front of you on the red stone cliff wall a large stone arch.
Up to hear it
will take you about 45-60 minute of easy hike.
The impressive
130-foot-high Escalante Natural Bridge cross over a small side creek.
The trail leads
to the direction of the bridge. You need to cross the river one more time and
from here you will find a short trail leading into the creek all the way below
the stone bridge.
Some people
hike back from this point, but I do recommend hiking a half mile up the river
to see the old cliff ruins, a petroglyph panel, and a rock arch.
The trail keep
following the river and you should look to your left and see the cliff ruins.
Here there is a side trail that leads up to the top of a small hill at the base
of the cliff.
The petroglyph
panel is on the left side and the pueblo ruins are to the right.
You can’t climb
to the ruins.
There is a huge
rock that you can walk bhindi it and squeeze into a narrow space to see the ruins
from below.
From here a
very short hike up the main trail and you will reach the river again, cross it
to the other side and look to your left and up, all the way up the cliff, there
you will see a stone arch.
From this point
I start my hike back the same way I hiked in, after about 2 hours I was back at
the parking lot.
Overall, this
is a fun 4.5-mile-long hike without climbs that requires multiple river
crossings. The large natural bridge is impressive, the un accessible cliff
building looks in a good condition and the arch high in the rock face.
Additional Pictures:
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