Escalante - Access & River Flow

[CO-hiker]

Hi everybody! First post here.

I'm headed down to the Egypt TH for a week of backpacking with my dog next week & was wondering if anybody had any recent reports about the conditions of Hole in the Rock (I've got a 4 wheel drive pickup). I called the Interagency Visitor's Center, and they didn't have first hand info, but recommended caution due to recent precipitation. Anybody been down that way?

On a similar note, I'm a bit concerned that the Escalante River might reach peak run-off really early: several rivers in Colorado have broken record flows due to the unseasonably warm March we've had. I might pick another option if it's running too high to for comfort. Any info or thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[SKLund]

That is a very good question and point. I plan on going on April 17th and would hate to make a two day drive for nothing. I went to the following site which tells me not much since I am not a water man.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=09337500

 

[mattvogt7]

Hey I'm headed to the same spot in a week for a packraft trip with my dad. I think its still a bit early for peak run-off by a few weeks but I am watching closely. Here is a link to the gauge run-off projections to keep an eye on - http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?escu1 - these things are never super accurate but they can help you estimate. Have a great trip!

- Matt

Hi everybody! First post here.

I'm headed down to the Egypt TH for a week of backpacking with my dog next week & was wondering if anybody had any recent reports about the conditions of Hole in the Rock (I've got a 4 wheel drive pickup). I called the Interagency Visitor's Center, and they didn't have first hand info, but recommended caution due to recent precipitation. Anybody been down that way?

On a similar note, I'm a bit concerned that the Escalante River might reach peak run-off really early: several rivers in Colorado have broken record flows due to the unseasonably warm March we've had. I might pick another option if it's running too high to for comfort. Any info or thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Nick]

There's a pretty good chance the Escalante will be a problem for you given all the circumstances. I'd choose a route that doesn't require crossing it in that area.

 

[CO-hiker]

There's a pretty good chance the Escalante will be a problem for you given all the circumstances. I'd choose a route that doesn't require crossing it in that area.

Hi Nick, Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely concerned about the river depth, even more so now: there's a day of precipitation in the forecast for the first day of my trip (this Friday). I'm considering other options than the Egypt -> Harris -> Choprock -> 25 mile -> Egypt loop that I was originally planning. Any suggestions for 5 nights out with a dog? Seems like you've done a fair bit in Escalante & you've got experience hiking with dogs. Thanks!

 

[Nick]

I tried to do a similar loop in April 2005 and got turned away by high water. Reports were that the Escalante was in flood stage and crossings would have been more than 'neck deep', according to the ranger. The upper Escalante will have a lot less water but it's slower to green up due to the higher elevation, otherwise something up there would be great. You could tie together several of the lower Escalante Canyons, just don't cross the Escalante. They are all wonderful down there.