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Navajo sandstone and petroglyphs really shine in a beautiful valley.


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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

Point to Point

5,459' 1,664 m

High

5,211' 1,588 m

Low

431' 131 m

Up

183' 56 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek

Family Friendly Petroglyphs, easy hiking, and stunning beauty make this a great route for the whole family.

Description

The Escalante riverbed is sandy, wide, and shallow and the valley is enclosed by Navajo sandstone. I've edited my GPS track to more closely follow the actual trail but, in practice, you'll probably zigzag across the riverbed as things catch your eye. Don't be surprised if you develop a preference for the south side where the most interesting features are.

Look for the Escalante Natural Bridge along the way, as well as an Anasazi cliff dwelling slightly west of the bridge, which include petroglyphs, and a crescent shaped Escalante Natural Arch another 0.4 miles further west. This hike is ideal in the fall, e.g. early October, when yellow leaves are framed by enormous varnished sandstone walls.

Flora & Fauna

Tamarisk, willow, cottonwood trees, and sagebrush

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew Kidd

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#27810

Overall
  3.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#873

in Utah

#27,810

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,310 Since Mar 31, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Escalante River Trail area
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Escalante River Trail area
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Escalante River Trail area
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Escalante River Trail area.
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Escalante Natural Bridge
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Escalante Natural Bridge
Apr 12, 2023 near Escalante, UT
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 93 days ago
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