Trip Recommendations- Grand Staircase Escalante Area 7 days

[Nathan Miller]

Hi everyone,

I am am going to making the trek out to Utah from Ontario for some backpacking at the end of August/1st week of September and am looking for a good 5-7day route. I have looked at some of the trip reports from coyote gulch, willow gulch, little death hollow and they seem great, I just want something a bit longer. Is there a way to expand these loops? Any ideas are welcome. Here are my criteria so that you know what I am looking for:

1) Great scenery (should be easy in this area it seems)
2) Not crowded. I really would like to avoid crowds, I don't mind if I have to work hard to get it

That is basically it! Any suggestions would be great, since this will be my first trip out to the area and I want it to be good!

Thanks,

Nathan

 

[Bob]

Uintas. The southern end will still be pretty warm.

 

[Nick]

It'll still be pretty hot for going overland between routes. I'd start by buying this book and reading it thoroughly:

Canyoneering 3: Loop Hikes in Utah's Escalante by Steve Allen

And then I'd probably head for the Death Hollow area where it won't be so hot. You could easily kill 5-7 days up there. There's good info on it in that book and here on BCP.

 

[Nathan Miller]

Thanks Nick. I will purchase the book. Any other recommendations are welcome!

 

[Bob]

Nick, I guess hot is relative.......although after you get to the water section probably not bad...

 

[Nathan Miller]

Hey Nick, I was thinking about doing the Uintas as well, but for this trip I think Im going to hit up the south of Utah, but that site is for sure on my radar.

 

[Nick]

You mean Bob? Yeah, I'd definitely stick to the desert. Probably much better mountains than the Uintas closer to you. It's not always that hot in early Sept. Stick to the high wet stuff though if it's a concern. Or just the wet stuff and plan for siestas.

 

[Mph]

Down willow....follow willow all the way to the escalante.....down escalante to Davis....up davis and back out to the road. Epic! Water....perfect for September

 

[Nick]

Down willow....follow willow all the way to the escalante.....down escalante to Davis....up davis and back out to the road. Epic! Water....perfect for September

With a packraft?

 

[Mph]

Yeah...probably should have stated that...it's going to be a low water year but maybe not that low...I had a buddy go down willow and hike up hole in the rock trail. Epic!

 

[Nick]

The only bummer would be all the motorboats cruising around the Escalante during the first week in September. That can be way scary paddling in a small boat when the big wakes start refracting around in a narrow canyon. That nice 80˚ water might make falling in not so bad though. Hope your pack is tied in!

 

[Nathan Miller]

thanks guys