Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Over the period of 16 - 20 September 2000, we ventured into the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument to explore the canyons and high desert of the newest national monument in the United States.  Located in south-central Utah, this expansive land covers nearly two million acres of remote canyon country.  Its central river, the Escalante, and its numerous tributaries drain the high mountain areas of the Aquarius Plateau, ultimately merging with the Colorado River deep within Glen Canyon and Lake Powell.  These myriad water drainages, in partnership with wind and time, are responsible for the dramatic landscape that defines this spectacular land.

Here are some photos from this landscape.  Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.

(All photos by Doug White.)

1. Looking over the land from high on the Aquarius Plateau:

	From a high vantage point on the Aquarius Plateau, we look down upon the red rock canyons of the Escalante River drainage.
	Again, looking down from the plateau in a south-southeast direction.  Lake name unknown to me.
	It was Fall in the mountains.  The aspen were turning bright yellow, and it was a spectacle to behold.
	Evening in the Escalante area on the eve of our arrival.

 

2. The Upper Escalante River near the town of Escalante:

	A lone tree where trees seemed sparse.   It was a hot day when we first entered the canyons of the Escalante.  We began our first, exploratory hike from near the town of Escalante and proceeded down canyon through the Escalante River toward Death Hollow.
	The rock formations of the Escalante were impressive.
	Cliff walls rose to over 1,000 feet above the river.  Often, the only path of travel was through the river itself.
	Doug hiking down Death Hollow after exploring up that spectacular canyon.   This was the trail, the only way to pass.
	Susan taking a lunch break in Death Hollow.
	Peering up from our rest stop deep within Death Hollow.
	Day's end in the town of Escalante.

 

3. In the area of the Grand Staircase near Cannonville, Utah:

	Grosvenor Arch in the Grand Staircase area, south of Cannonville, Utah.
	Another shot of Grosvenor Arch.
	Sandstone towers near the Grosvenor Arch.
	This is the entrance crack of Round Valley Draw.  It was an incredible slot canyon, and the entry was the most difficult obstacle.  It required easy class 5 climbing down into the narrow slot, but it was a little awkward due to the tight fit.
	Susan in the Round Valley slot after a heart pumping entry move.
	The canyon wall rose high above the sandy wash floor.  In some places the cliffs were over 200 feet.
	And the colors of the rock were mesmerizing.
	Doug looking up through the narrows of Round Valley Draw.
	After we had traversed the slot canyon and narrows for about a half mile, we came to a serious obstacle.  Confronted with a large chockstone, we were faced with a sheer drop of over 15 feet requiring moderate class 5 climbing.  Though I was game for this, I had not brought my rope, and I knew that reversing the moves may have been quite a trick.   Susan, in her wisdom, searched hard and found an alternate passage.  Deep under that massive chockstone was a tiny crack through which we could barely squeeze our bodies.  This is a shot of Susan coming through that hole.
	Again, the colors and texture of the Navaho Sandstone of the Round Valley Draw were spectacular.
	Doug and Susan in the narrows of Round Valley Draw.
	Cottonwood Canyon and its weird rock formations.
	A small arch in the sandstone of the Grand Staircase.
	Susan in Cottonwood Canyon Narrows.
	Looking her best, Susan looks up from inside the earth.

 

4. The Kaiparowits Plateau, draining into the lower Escalante River

	An old tree, high on the plateau above the Escalante River.
	We begin our backcountry trip into the Fence Canyon tributary to the Escalante River from the Egypt Trailhead.  Though this is called a trailhead, I assure you, there were few real "trails" to be found.  Overland navigation was the rule.
	Doug on the edge of Fence Canyon.
	This was the landscape of our trek.   Only "boot worn" or "social" trails were present.  In the distance, you can make out the major canyon that we had to reach.  This was the lower Escalante River.
	A closer look at the desert land over which we had to navigate.  Beautiful, but often confusing.  Our way ahead was directly through the middle of this photo.
	Reaching the Escalante River, our navigation became trivial.  Just continue down through the river for about a mile or so.
	Susan trekking through the Escalante River.  Easy going!
	Magnificent Wingate Sandstone rising out of the river.  This was why walking through the river was the only means of passage.
	Reaching the first side canyon, we decided to explore.  This canyon, which emptied into the Escalante from the northeast, was unnamed on the topographic maps.  Prior homework told me that it was called Neon Canyon.
	Two large solution holes in the Wingate Sandstone hinted at the dramatic scenery to follow.
	This canyon was so lovely, that I decided to make it our backcountry home.
	More of the Wingate Sandstone rising out of Neon Canyon.
	At the upper end of Neon Canyon we are confronted with an impassable pour-off with a triple arch in the ceiling of the dome.
	Looking straight up through two of the arches in the dome.
	At the upper end of Neon Canyon.
	Deep within Neon Canyon, Susan takes a snack break after a long day's trek.
	It's easy to understand why this is called Neon Canyon.
	The alcove at the upper end of Neon Canyon.
	Doug and Susan at their backcountry home site.
	Egypt Three Canyon.
	More of Egypt Three.

 

5. The slot canyons of Peekaboo and Spooky Gulches:

	This is the entrance to Peekaboo Gulch.   A few short technical climbing moves lead you directly into a number of natural bridges.
	Susan looks back after managing the climb into Peekaboo Gulch's slot canyon.
	Deep within Peekaboo Gulch, the going gets a little dark and eerie.
	The required flash must have momentarily blinded Susan as she closes her eyes.
	Doug in Peekaboo Gulch.  This is why it's called a slot canyon.
	Colorful rock of Spooky Gulch, an aptly named slot canyon.
	Spooky Gulch.
	More Spooky Gulch.
	Doug traversing the slot of Spooky Gulch.  We met up with a pigmy rattlesnake that day.  He was hunkered down in a very tight part of the slot canyon and had to be coaxed into a hole in the floor for us to pass.  We ended up simply stemming our way above him.
	Another look at the narrow nature of slot canyons.  Spooky Gulch.
	Our trek back to the car required overland navigation across a spectacular desert scene.  Go west, young man...!

 

.