Phipps Arch Hike, Spencer Flat Rd. TH - 2010

Michael

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Intro:
Phipps Arch is located in a small but beautiful Escalante Canyon, near the Spencer-Flat-Road - aka Old-Sheffield-Road. Multicolor sandstone formations, Dryfalls, Hoodoos, and an impressive arch expect the hiker on this beautiful trail in one green Canyon.

Location:
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM), UT 12 - Old-Sheffield-Road, Escalante, UT.
Direction:
From the west: From the center of Escalante follow the Scenic Byway 12 (Escalante, UT - Boulder, UT) approx. 10.7 mi. At N37°44'35.04", W111°26'52.73" make a right turn into the Old-Sheffield-Road. Follow that road approx. 0.4 mi. You reach the entry of a small dirt road. Make a left turn. After a couple of yards you have reached a small parking lot, N37°44'12.40", W111°26'33.68". That's the trailhead too of this hike.
In good conditions, you may be able to drive a regular passenger car, or an RV on this road.
For the current road and weather conditions, please contact the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center.

Description:
From TH, we walk up the road to the East Rim to give us an overview to find a descent point - the view is amazing. A little later, along the rim at GPS: N37°44'2.6", W111°26'22.5" we find a suitable point for us. A landmark in the area is a cube like, single rock, N37°44'1.2", W111°26'35.3". This rock is a good marker especially for the way back to the TH.

The trail leads very steeply across slickrock downward, into the Phipps Wash.

On-Trail-Downwards.jpg


On the opposite is a alcove, it is a arch, if one stands directly in him. Sliver Arch. That told me, Lynn Session, a well-known arch-hunter.

Sliver-Arch-Alcove.jpg


A little further to the right is a dryfall of the Phipps Wash, which flows in its further course into the Escalante River. We follow the course of the wash to the east and pass through a narrow - aka gate.
Approx. 1.9 mi later, a little side canyon is coming into the Phipps Wash. We decide, to look around the closer. Few minutes later we stand in front of a huge pool. Fed by a large dryfall - very photogenic.

Pool-Reflection.jpg


We walk back into the wash and towards the Phipps Arch. The canyon is becoming greener and narrow. A lush growth of trees, grasses and shrubs adorns the left and right side of the path. We pass a stone step and a big Boulder.

Phipps-Canyon-Boulder.jpg


The canyon becomes wider. A little later the next side canyon comes from the east.
On his northwestern canyon wall, N37°45'18.19", W111°24'44.04", is the path, partially visible and marked by cairns. We scramble up, in glorious sunshine, up to a small plateau, whose most prominent point is a knob w/ a alcove inside.

Phipps-Arch-East.jpg


Southeast of the knob the Phipps Arch is to see. He's not huge, but beautiful. The whole dimension of the arch can only noticed correct, if you stand under the arch.
It is very scenic and beautiful on this sandstone plateau and remarkable what the nature has designed here again. After an extensive investigation of the area we go way back.

Rim-@-Old-Sheffield-Road-Pano.jpg


Arrived at the gate, a sweat-inducing climb is needed, to manage a height difference of about 650 ft.
The sandstone shines in wonderful yellow and red nuances, and unfortunately not comes to its best advantage, by the glaring sunlight. We reach the rim, and walk back via Old Sheffield Road to the RV. Ice cold drinks in the fridge awaits us. After a refreshing drink we drive to the parking lot at the Big Horn Canyon, where will begin tomorrow our hike. In the evening we enjoy the sunset, overlooking the Big Spencer Flats and finish off the day at the RV.

Conclusion:
An interesting and varied hike with steep climbs and descents, off the beaten path in a beautiful countryside with interesting formations and colors.
Highlights: Phipps Arch and sandstone formations and colors in the area of descent - highly recommended (IMO).

Have fun!

_Michael

More pics, if you like.

Featured image for home page:
slide.jpg
 
...thx for your replies. :)
Have a lot of fun.
It's a wonderful area. I'm there again in 2 month - further downwards the road.

Gesendet von meinem JB-ViperXed HOX
 
one of my favorite local places to dayhike. i think i have been pretty much all around the rim on every side at this point but have yet to do the whole length of the canyon itself.
your photos are not showing though....hmmmm.
 
I did this hike last week--it's a beautiful canyon. I camped at your trailhead coordinates, but dropped into the canyon directly off UT-12 (thanks to some advice from intuitive cat). I couldn't find a route up to the arch, though. :( I'll try it again another time, hopefully dropping into Phipps Wash via the side-canyon where Maverick Bridge is. Nice TR and photos, Michael!
 
I did this hike last week--it's a beautiful canyon. I camped at your trailhead coordinates, but dropped into the canyon directly off UT-12 (thanks to some advice from intuitive cat). I couldn't find a route up to the arch, though. :( I'll try it again another time, hopefully dropping into Phipps Wash via the side-canyon where Maverick Bridge is. Nice TR and photos, Michael!

Dennis, if you want any info on that route down through the Maverick NB side canyon let me know. it comes down directly across from the arch. i love that route and the views are insane.


they are showing for me now. must have been a server problem earlier.
 
Thanks for all your comments. :)
Maybe the link is broken. I'll have a look tomorrow, now I'm at work.

Sorry about that, Dennis. There's a little bit of route finding, up to the arch.

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