Escalante Romp

Joined
Oct 5, 2015
Messages
6
Long time lurker first time poster here. I absolutely adore all of Utah and backpacking, this spring I was lucky enough to plan a trip with some friends. Unfortunately I now live in Phoenix AZ and no longer Sandy Utah so we met down in Boulder on Friday night.

I slept in the bed of the truck when we got to the TH at about 11 pm, after a windy night I put myself in my cab at some point in the night under a beautiful sky of stars. I awoke to se fog on the windows, though ok it must be cold, well it was snowing pretty good, about an inch and coming down heavy and wet. At first though CRAP went thru my mind, but I knew the forecast favored it to turn to rain soon or clear out. It was a slow start for my two friends in their tent, packing up was challenging. With not much visual or trail we started off making our own way around the bend to Wolverine Canyon from the Little Death Hollow TH. Feet immediately soaked as we walk through a surreal landscape of petrified wood and blood rivers. After we navigate to the entrance of the canyon I felt good, no trail to follow and we were wild and free for the weekend. Slowly the sun began to locate itself through thick clouds and then over the next hour the most incredible views of my lifetime to behold. The canyon awoke and spoke in colors in extraordinary ways. We walked for a long time as the terrain changed from one awesome form to another. It was a long 12 miles of slow walking and oooohhhss and aweeesss but camp was settled at the confluence of Horse Canyon and Escalante?
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We awoke Saturday morning with an attempt in mind to exit the Canyon and go across the desert to show them the Cosmic Ashtray, the plan was also to hit Red Breaks but I decided to take a more relaxed trip for the day and Ashtray and back would leave plenty of relax time. It was a few river crossings under knee depth and then we started up into the unknown of a giant sand dune. My research showed we had a good shot at getting out and as my eyes met the exit it felt like it was going to work. After picking our route to exit we did as it opened up to fantastic views of all the area. It was a relaxed walk to the Ashtray over the desert, again no sign of anybody and was liking it that way. We reached the ashtray and got some shots and then walked back to camp after a 14 miles round trip day. I was really liking this trip I Planned :) Lots of relaxing back at camp to settle in for the last night.
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The next morning we departed camp early, I really wanted to be home before 10pm so we were done with camp by 7am and walking towards Little Death Hollow. With worn legs and heavy packs we headed up the Canyon. I really enjoyed the Canyon, it was a little challenging at times with our packs and we were unfamiliar how challenging it was actually going to get. We passed the "Dead Cow" that is now removed. Passed quite a few people along the way that were going in too, I was so happy to have spent so many days seeing so little people. What a trip! I can't get enough of that area, I keep coming back, I literally desire nowhere else to go in the world more than the canyons of Escalante.

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How bad is it getting into the volcano? Those steps look sketch.
 
nice. cool looking photos with the snow.
thanks for sharing.
 
I can feel the sand between my toes, and smell the neon green cottonwoods.
Thanks for sharing!
 
That sand looks beautiful and horrible all at once haha.
Thanks for the share! Great photos. I don't think my pack would have fit through that tight squeeze you guys did though. :frantic:
 
That sand looks beautiful and horrible all at once haha.
Thanks for the share! Great photos. I don't think my pack would have fit through that tight squeeze you guys did though. :frantic:
The sand dune was not all that bad, actually was exciting running down it on the way to camp! The drag was the open desert walk but even that didn't suck
 
Love it! Been to Red Breaks and the Volcano from both sides of the Old Sheffield rd. Interesting route you guys took. Love the pictures! Love the area!!
 
Way cool trip report. Thanks for sharing. I like how it started out cold and snowy and ended with sunshine and great views everywhere.
 
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