Escalante Area Wanderings: Golden Cathedral

piper01

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Oct 27, 2013
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Day 4

I woke up bright and early with the sunrise shining into my tent from my campsite off Harris Wash Road. I climbed out of my warm cocoon to take some photos, then promptly went back to sleep. I was tired from the previous day's hike!
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Eventually I managed to rouse myself from my slumber, pack up camp, and head for Egypt Bench Road. The road was very rough in areas- definitely a good idea to have a high clearance vehicle for it. Finally I made it to the trailhead and began my descent. The hike began with a strenuous climb down the ridge from the parking area.
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I followed the well-cairned Fence Canyon route, which paralleled the canyon along the rim for much of the way. The Escalante River and Neon Canyon looked so far away at the beginning. IMG_2893.JPG
I found this small flower with a lone Moqui marble to keep it company.
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Eventually the trail descended into Fence Canyon, which was bursting with color. IMG_2904.JPG


I admired these crossing lines in the wall of the canyon. IMG_2912.JPG

Then I continued the fairly easy climb down to the bottom.IMG_2914_ss.PNG

Fence Canyon was filled with trees, grasses, and even flowing water in areas. It was an unexpected contrast with the desert up above!
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I found this neat channel-cut filled in with clay between two sandstone bodies. IMG_2924_channel.JPG

The stratigraphy kept changing as I descended the canyon; there were no massive cross-bedded dunes at this point in geologic time. IMG_2926_ss.PNG

The path wound leisurely among the grasses as I neared the river.
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I liked this debris wrapped around a tamarisk branch.
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Finally I reached the Escalante River. I followed it for a while, alternating between wading in the water and threading my way through the vegetation lining the banks. I stopped and visited this petroglyph panel before I reached Neon Canyon. It was a shame the historical "cowboy-glyphs" were grafittied directly on top of the petroglyphs when there was plenty of unused canyon wall nearby they could have used for their drawings. IMG_2937.JPG

Hunting scene. IMG_2966_ss.PNG

I wonder if this was drawn by the same person who did the scene shown in the previous picture. The front legs of the charging animals looked very similar to me.
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Continuing on, I admired the desert varnish striping the walls.
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I finally made it to Neon Canyon!IMG_2983_ss.PNG

The light reflecting off the canyon walls contrasted beautifully with the bright green trees. IMG_2988_ss.PNG

I reached the Golden Cathedral as a group of canyoneers was packing up their gear to leave. I had just missed getting to see them rappel down into the Cathedral. The grotto was still in part sun and part shade, so I sat down and waited for the sun to sink lower in the sky. IMG_2989_Golden Cathedral.JPG

Finally, I had the Golden Cathedral to myself. Everyone else missed seeing the late afternoon sun glowing through the potholes in the roof. IMG_3006_ss.PNG


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I caught this reflection looking down-canyon from the Cathedral. IMG_3010.JPG

Finally, I had to leave the stillness of the Golden Cathedral if I wanted to finish the hike back before dark. I was taking the beeline route back. I crossed the river, consulted my directions, followed the footprints up the dune, then...nothing. There was no way to climb up from there. I poked around for a bit, then one of the canyoneers who was taking a break while the rest of his group explored Ringtail Canyon helpfully pointed out the cairn hidden in the grass right behind where he was sitting. We chatted for a bit, then I was on my way.

The view back into Neon Canyon from the plateau.
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I found a a few cairns on the way back, but ended up mostly picking my own route. I ended up following the south side of Fence Canyon near the end, and had the "pleasure" of climbing back up the steep ridge I had descended at the beginning of the hike.

Don't forget to turn around and enjoy the view when hiking! If I had just looked ahead, I would have missed this gorgeous light behind me.
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Looking back towards Neon Canyon.
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I made it back to my vehicle slightly before dark, vowing to get an earlier start to my next hike. I love to linger in the late-afternoon light, but two days of racing it back to the trailhead was enough; I was ready for a nice leisurely return hike! I drove back down Egypt Bench Road, found a place to camp, and savored the day.
 
Last edited:
you should go more places, i like your reports.

I would love to, but I live several states away. The cost (and time) of flying out and renting a vehicle means I can only take one or two week-long trips a year. Short weekend trips aren't possible. :(

I do have a few trips from previous years I can report on, if I ever get around to it!
 
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Reactions: Ben
Your whole series of TRs has been awesome, but this one in particular has been giving me some wicked cabin fever. I need some Escalante - ASAP!
 
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