Escalante National Monument, Utah

The Escalante National Monument is a gigantic, rugged, almost untamed desert wilderness. Most of it is extremely remote and accessable by 4WD only.

I was not planning to go there, however a group of people I met while hiking the Zion narrows convinced me there were some things to see. What can I say: when you’re right, you’re right.

The things they sent me to see have to be some of the most incredible slot-canyon narrows anywhere. They are located about two hours from Escalante, Utah. Follow the Hole-in-the-Rock Road south to the Dry Fork of the Escalante River.

As you hike the Dry Fork, you will find four different narrows:
Dry Fork Narrows, Peek-a-Boo Gulch, Spooky Gulch and Coyote Gulch.
Each one gets progressively more fantastic, narrow and deep.

Be advised: these narrows are really narrow!! If you have weight issues, after Peek-a-Boo Gulch, you won’t get very far. If you are a woman with large breasts (sorry Kate) you might also have some problems.

Climbing and scrambling are often required. If you go up, make sure you can get back down. And always, always check the weather. If one of these narrows floods while you’re in it, it’s over.

One last thing. If you try to go here, stop at the visitor’s center and get directions. The spot is a little hard to find and without that help, I may not have found it at all.

GEOGRAPHY

Escalante National Monument takes up almost the entire area of southern Utah, between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks.

COST
None. This one is free.

ACCOMMODATION

There are scattered campgrounds and hotels within the Monument and surrounding towns.

First Stop:
The Redwoods

Second Stop:
Sequoia/ King’s Canyon

Third Stop:
Zion National Park

Fourth Stop:
Bryce Cayon Nat’l Park

Fifth Stop:
Escalante Nat’l Monument

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