Salt Creek: Lower Jump and Arch

As the Salt Creek heads toward the Colorado River in the Needles District of Canyonlands, it makes a grand leap of about 200′ into the inner canyon below. This incredible sight is known as the Lower Jump and at times it makes for an incredible waterfall. More commonly though, one… Continue reading

Hike Guide: The Baker Route and Stevens Canyon

Stevens Canyon is a classic Escalante drainage which remains relatively infrequently visited thanks to its remote location.  With no major obstacles, Stevens makes for a great backpacking destination. Combined with the historical Baker Route, it makes for a great “connector” for longer hikes and is becoming a popular alternate for… Continue reading

Hike Guide: Coyote Gulch

approx 14 Miles one-way Coyote Gulch is THE classic Escalante canyon and thus deservedly also the most popular. A year-round stream flowing down through an entrenched canyon cascading over multiple waterfalls makes it a main draw in warmer months. Multiple impressive natural spans, evidence of a previous civilization and ample… Continue reading

Muley Mushroom

This interesting toadstool/hoodoo/balanced rock lives in a remote section of desert below Tarantula Mesa west of the Henry Mountains and east of Capitol Reef National Park. As far as I know the rock formation doesn’t have an official name, thus I’ve referred to it by its location near upper Muley… Continue reading

Video: Zion to Capitol Reef

The video from my 20-day, 320-mile trek from Zion to Capitol Reef from earlier this spring. If you prefer to just see the highlights, there’s also the up-tempo short version with music (7+ minutes). And, If you haven’t already, check out the full trip report.

VIDEO: Grand Staircase/Escalante Hike 2006

Here’s a throw-back video from my first “big hike” in southern Utah. The 25-day trek took me across one of the longest “pavement free” stretches in the US; approximately from east of Zion to Capitol Reef National Park. Fairly new to long-distance hiking and cross-country travel, I carried WAY too… Continue reading

Boulder Mountain to Moab — Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | PART 4 NOTE: also see the Interactive Map for this hike or the Video Trip Report. Day 13: In the morning there was some time to kill before the boat arrived. I took the time to get organized and then actually… Continue reading