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Capitol Reef – Backcountry

June 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Things near Escalante /by Slot Canyons Inn

Capitol Reef National Park is such a stunning place to visit and explore. There are so many different types of scenery here it’s absolutely breathtaking. Capitol Reef is very popular for backpacking as well, there is a lot of really exciting backcountry to explore here. Here are some of the most popular backcountry backpacking areas in Capitol Reef.

Grand Wash, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Photo Credit: jlcummins – Washington State on flickr

Halls Creek Narrows
This is a pretty awesome backpacking venture, that round trip will take about 3-4 days to complete. It explores the southern end of the park which is more desolate, and largely unmarked. You will most likely need to carry a topographical map since it is an unmarked area. There are plenty of side canyons that connect with Halls Creek to explore as well. The canyon walls are works of art that tower high and seem to consume you as you travel deeper into the narrows. This is such an awesome hike and one that any thrill seeking backpacker will enjoy.

Pleasant Creek
This is a natural year round stream that has cut a deep canyon. This is an unmarked area and can be very dangerous due to flash flooding and falling rocks, but if you go the right time of year you should be okay. There are footpaths that are unmarked, and the park asks that you stay on these paths and try not to step on the soil crusts that prevent erosion of soft, sandy soils. This can be a day trip, or you can camp here, backcountry permits are required for overnight stays.

Lower Muley Twist Canyon
This is a very narrow and “twisty” canyon. Quite possibly one of the coolest looking canyons in Capitol Reef Park. This canyon was once used as a pathway for the wagons to get to San Juan county for the mormons. They considered it to be narrow enough to “twist a mule” hence he name. A topographical map is suggest for this hiking area as it is unmarked and very easy to get lost in the canyons. This is a very hot hike and the water resources do not always work, so be sure to bring a sufficient amount of water.

Sulphur Creek
This canyon is really awesome! A creek has cut the canyon deep through some of Capitol Reefs oldest exposed rocks. This hike consists about two miles of scenic and beautiful narrows and three waterfalls. This is a dangerous flash flood zone, so make sure you have checked the weather before heading into the hike. This is not an official maintained trail, so there could be route changes due to rockfall and flooding.

There are many more backcountry places to hike in Capitol Reef, these are just a few of the favored hikes. Make sure to always put safety first and talk with park rangers before heading out into the backcountry.

Scenic Highway 12 – Utah

May 25, 2016/0 Comments/in Things to do in Escalante /by Slot Canyons Inn

Highway 12 is one of the most scenic roads in the United States. There are two major National Parks that you will come across on this road. With elevations rising from 5,000 to over 9,000 ft. above sea level, Highway 12 cuts through some of the most stunning and rough terrain in Southern Utah. This highway has made its name on the top 10 most scenic drives in the world!

Stretching 124 miles, with 12 curves, this road took nearly 4 decades to build. It travels the land between “martian land” Bryce Canyon National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park.

There are a few other parks that you can make a pit stop at as well on your drive. Dixie National Forest, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Anasazi

Scenic Highway 12 Utah

Photo Credit: alsimages1

State Park Museum are all apart of the experience of driving Highway 12!

Some cool things that you can find at each of these places include a wide range of wildlife, beautiful plant life, jaw dropping views and so much more.

Some road trippers take time to stop and enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping and a plethora of other fun and exciting other activities that these parks have to offer. Take a nice cool dip at Calf Creek Falls at Grand Escalante National Monument, hike through the hoodoos and ponderosa pines of Bryce Canyon, take in all the scenery and fresh air as you make your way to the end of the road trip.

One of the more dangerous parts of this journey would have to be Hogsback road, just a two lane highway that twists and turns. This is also one of the more spectacular parts of the trip, due to the fact that there are steep drops along the way creating a panoramic view of the the nature that surrounds you. This is such a scenic portion that it might just cause you to get in an accident because it’s nearly impossible to drive without checking out the amazing view that surrounds you. It truly gives you the idea that you aren’t driving on earth anymore, there just can’t be something this crazy in Utah.

Off in the distance you’ll catch arches and massive canyon walls that will make you keep asking “what’s that and how to do I get there?”. The razorback mountains all around you with the enticing slot canyons below you will beckon that part of you that always wants to be exploring. Then only adding to the scene are the green cottonwood trees that follow along the winding rivers below you, so one moment you’re on top of the world looking out at Mars, and then next you’re driving through leaf covered roads with creeks and waterfalls.

This drive is inspirational, beautiful and almost movie like. We dare say that anyone and everyone should experience a road trip on Hwy. 12 at least once in their lifetime.

Calf Creek Falls in the Grand Staircase

May 13, 2016/0 Comments/in Hiking in the Grand Staircase, Things to do in Escalante /by Slot Canyons Inn

There is quite like visiting a desert oasis. Dry desert heat, beating sun, sand, so much sand! Then suddenly around the corner is a breathtaking, crystal clear, cool waterfall surrounded with green lavish plants. This is the stuff that movies are made of, and also something that can be experienced when you visit the Grand Staircase and hike to the Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante National Monument.

The trailhead is located at the Calf Creek campground located off of highway 12, about 15 miles east of Escalante. There is a $5.00 per vehicle fee for a day pass to enter the park. The trail leading to this beautiful waterfall is 3 miles one-way, and it takes approximately an hour and a half to reach the falls.

Set up a campsite near one of the most beautiful hikes that the Grand Staircase has to offer. There is a separate parking fee and overnight camping fee to stay at the Calf Creek campground.

Camping underneath Utah’s clear night skies is an experience all inself, an amazing one at that. Stargazing is one of the main reasons people choose to stay overnight at the Calf Creek Campground.

Calf Creek Canyon

Photo Credit: U.S. Geological Survey on flickr

Hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls

The hike is semi-difficult due to the sand on the trail, be sure to wear good hiking boots. The hike can get very hot especially in the summer seasons, be sure to bring an efficient amount of drinking water. Dogs are allowed here, but must be leashed. This hike is pretty easy for almost all ages.

The Lower Calf Creek Falls are about 130 ft. high with a deep natural swimming hole at the bottom. There is ample greenery surrounding the falls which makes the scenery that much more movie-esque. The Lower Calf Falls are the more popular to visit and attracts many visitors each year.

What You’ll Find at The Falls

Once you reach the falls you will be amazed that such a beautiful, clear water oasis exists in such a dry desolate landscape. This really does come as quite a surprise to most visitors! Take a cool plunge into the crisp and clean clear waters. Enjoy swimming, playing and exploring the falls with the whole family.

If you are looking for the perfect hike for the entire family, and a fun, exciting way to cool off and relax, then this is the perfect hike to take. This is also a great introductory hike to the Grand Staircase in general, it definitely gives you an idea of what kind of magnificence to expect from the rest of the monument.

For photographers, the main difficulty will be on the summer days, you will want to take the hike early in the morning so that the sun is shining onto the falls for the best shot.

Latest News

Capitol Reef – Backcountry

Scenic Highway 12 – Utah

Calf Creek Falls in the Grand Staircase

Hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls

What You’ll Find at The Falls

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