Winter hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Visiting Escalante Utah in the wintertime is cool (not cold) and very uncrowded. You can take your time taking photographs. These are your hikes and you can stop and shoot when you want to capture the timeless beauty of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

Slick rock is your friend when snow is present.
Tributarie to Harris Wash

Calf Creek Falls Winter 2011

Snow happens in Escalante Utah. Skis and snowshoes add
to the Southern Utah adventure. 

 

9 Marvelous Miles of Trail Running Escalante Utah

Powell Point can be seen on Highway 12

Under the icon of Powell Point or "Pink Mountain" in Escalante Utah, lies a single track that leads 4 and 1/2 miles down to Henderson Canyon. Pink hillsides, strayed arches, and endless vistas distracted me from the grueling inclines. The Ponderosas kept the morning heat at bay and a few steep ravines slowed our heart rates down.  9+ miles round-trip trail running was finished in a couple of hours verses 4 hours at least for hiking. Choose how you want visit this beautiful, easily navigable Forest Service trail in Escalante, Utah.

Single track along edge

End of Hole-in-the-Rock road Escalante Utah

Navajo Mountain

The Hole-in-the-Rock road is the main vein to many outstanding hikes and wild rock-formations trails in Escalante, Utah.  This dirt packed road is in great condition, albeit with long stretches of wash-board surface conditions. We even saw a Mini-Van vehicle had made it all the way to the end of the road, where you can see Lake Powell.

Lake Powell is about a 20 minute hike from the parking area to where you can swim in fresh water. It isn't an easy hike, especially on the way back, with some exposure on ledges.
The Mormon pioneers hauled up their cattle, wagons, and all their possessions up through this crack before settling into Potato Valley. Give yourself at least 3 hours driving time to view Lake Powell through Hole-in-the-Rock.

The Hole-in-the-Rock

Harris Wash Escalante Utah

The beauty of hiking in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is you never know what you may discover. We found this grove of Hoodoos off Harris Wash road in Escalante Utah by spying a lone spiral rock in the distance.

Watch this short video on our hike to the Harris Hoodoos:
Harris Wash Hoodoos Video

When visiting Escalante National Monument, keep your eyes open for the unexpected rock formations. They are waiting for you to take their photo. 

Fair-weather clouds Escalante Utah

Cumulus clouds are flourishing above Escalante Utah through-out the year.   

Cumulus Humilis (wider than tall)
moving slowly over the Henry Mountains.

Fair-weather clouds sunrise
Escalante, Utah.

Cumulus congestive tower
can produce sizable showers.

                                                                     

Cumulus fractus
dissipating in front of
La Luz Desert Retreat

Cumulus Mediocris (tall as wide)
seen on Scenic Highway 12
Escalante, Utah.