Escalante River: Little Death Hollow to Highway 12

Name: Escalante River: Little Death Hollow to Highway 12
Rating: 3.0

3.0 ( 2 )

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Trail

6.7 mile 10.8 kilometer point to point
Singletrack
Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 431' 131 m
Descent: -183' -56 m
High: 5,459' 1,664 m
Low: 5,211' 1,588 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 2% (1°)
Max Grade: 11% (6°)

Dogs

Unknown

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Trail shared by Matthew Kidd

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Current trail conditions

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“Navajo sandstone and petroglyphs really shine in a beautiful valley.”

— Matthew Kidd

GPX File

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.