Stevens East benches

[Kullaberg63]

The latest Escalante adventure topped the charts for remoteness and commitment. Similar in difficulty to the Overland but with a completely undocumented middle section where we had no idea if it would go or not for two days.

In short:

Down Crack-in Wall and lower Coyote to the walk thru Stevens Arch and subsequent tricky descent into Stevens.

Halfway up Baker Route, then traversing the east benches of Stevens at the top of Wingate level to the upper Fold Pass.

Down the best part of SA's day hike option to the squeeze chimney exit west out of Fold, then Bighorn traverse to the river.

Up Sand Dune to benches southward until difficult exit and easier terrain into and across Fools.

Sandstone slog to Sleepy Hollow, down Coyote to Sneaker Route and car.

We took eight days and lucked out with rain the first day which eased the water situation considerably.


Approaching Stevens Arch


Alcove camp


Tricky section on Stevens Arch route


Numerous short rope assists on the East Benches part


Incredible forest pocket, East Benches


The welcome trickle at the amazing apex of the East Benches


Looking down Stevens from near the completion of the East Benches Traverse


Slickrock and water - perfect desert camping


Hard spot with heavy pack



Nearing the river with 3 days to go

 

[wsp_scott]

Ominous sky in that first photo, it really makes the arch stand out.

I'm not a climber, don't like heights, so I know I'll never see this in person. Thanks for sharing.

 

[futurafree]

Hardcore, man, hardcore.
Taking the east benches to the pass into Fold... there seem to be several huge side canyons you'd need to head after going halfway up the Baker exit, plus I don't see how to get to Fold pass. Did you eventually drop back into Stevens and take the normal Allen route up to Fold pass? Or by "upper Fold pass", does that mean a different branch of Fold farther north?

 

[regehr]

wow!

 

[napatony13]

Looks incredible, thanks for sharing!