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1. Willis Creek/ Bull Valley Gorge
 Just 20 minutes from the Inn and six miles down the Bull Valley Gorge dirt road you can visit two slot canyons of the GSENM (Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument). Park on the right and then follow the little stream down as it enters the narrow canyon. This beautiful little canyon is easy to hike and requires no canyoneering skills. As you continue through the canyon, the walls will change from white to yellow to red. At 2 miles the canyon enters Sheep Creek and on the canyon wall to your right you can hike up to pictographs.
Continue 2.1 miles to Bull Valley Gorge. The road goes over the top of the gorge and offers spectacular views down into the canyon. You can pull off to the side of the road on either side of the bridge and park.  There is a trail that follows the rim south for about 1 mile giving you views into the gorge along the way. This trail has no exposure and is great for anyone. For the more adventurous, you can take the trail north (through the gate), for about ¾ of a mile. There is some exposure on this trail and then you can climb right into the canyon. There are several drop offs from 8' to 12' and other obstacles but are well worth it if you have some canyoneering skills. If not, we suggest you go with a guide. Once in the bottom there are places the canyon walls reach 1000' high with interesting rock formations caused by rushing water. About 1 mile past the bridge, you will see a cairn (three stacked rocks) on the right that marks where you can get out. It is a very steep scramble out and then a short 1 mile hike back you your car. This canyon will not be forgotten! |
2. Kodachrome/ Grosvenor Arch/ Cottonwood Narrows
 Kodachrome is fifteen minutes from the Inn, just 10 miles south of Cannonville. Kodachrome is known for its petrified geysers which stand as chimneys throughout the Park and brilliant colors. As you drive into the Park, there is a parking lot on the left and a small sign on the right identifying the Angel's Palace trail. This trail is an easy 1 mile walk that takes you to beautiful views of the chimneys.
Continue down the Cottonwood Canyon Road 9.2 miles from where it turns to dirt. You will see a sign to Grosvenor Arch. Turn left and drive about 1 mile. There are picnic tables and restrooms and a wonderful double arch.
Return to Cottonwood Canyon Road and turn left. Travel 3 ½ miles to where the road becomes very steep as it drops into a gorgeous, colorful valley. On the left at the bottom of the hill you can park in a pull out. On the right you will see a crack in the rock wall going into the Cottonwood Narrows. There is a path that takes you to the canyon, but no signs. You will have to drop off a steep bank to enter the canyon. Inside the Canyon, turn right and hike up a very narrow slot canyon that becomes impossible after about ¼ mile. Left takes you down a wider canyon with high, sheer canyon walls. There has been a recent rock fall that you will have to scramble over. There may be a pool of water if it has rained recently. The canyon exits at the road about 1 mile south of your car.
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3. Devil's Rock Garden/ Dinosaur tracks/ Petrified Forest
 I call Devil's Rock Garden an adult playground. It is a fascinating discovery zone that anyone can play on. They colors are deep red and you can climb all over arches and windows. Take Hwy 12 east to the town of Escalante. Five miles past, you will see a dirt road marked 'Hole In The Rock' Take this road south for 12 miles. There is a well marked sign, turn right and go about ¼ mile. You will find restrooms and picnic tables.
The dinosaur tracks are 1.6 miles down Hole In The Rock Road. There is a sign for Collet Top Road on the right. Follow this road 2.4 miles and turn right onto the dirt road staying right when you come to a Y. Drive to the rock mound on the right and scramble up to the top level. There are hundreds of dinosaur tracks with 3 toes in different stages of exposure.
Drive back to the town of Escalante to visit the Petrified Forest. A couple of miles west of the Town, there is a well marked road to the Petrified Forest. Turn right and park in their parking lot. The hiking loop is about 1 mile, but the more interesting wood is on the next ¾ mile loop that takes off about halfway through the hike. It is very steep but worth the trouble. The petrified wood is every color imaginable.
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4. Hundred Hands Pictographs/ Moki House/ Lower and Upper Calf Creek Falls
 Travel east on the spectacular Hwy 12 for about 55 miles. Take time to stop at the absolutely beautiful lookouts. When you reach the Escalante River, turn left into a parking lot just past the bridge. To the right of the house, there is a foot path that takes you up the rock ledge and over to a rock wall. High above your head are the hundred hands pictographs. If you follow the wall to the left, you will find pictographs of goats and people. This hike is only about ½ mile round trip.
Back to the parking lot, take the trail down the Escalante River under the bridge. The path does not go into the river. Follow the path to the rock wall and look up. You will see an alcove with a moki house nestled inside. It blends in with the rock and is made of rocks, mud and sticks.
The Lower Calf Creek Falls are 1.1 miles down Hwy 12. Turn left on a paved road that is well marked for the campground. Park and walk to the end of the campground where the trail begins. The trail goes up a box canyon about 2 ¾ miles following the calf creek. This trail is well marked and has a trail guide identifying plants, pictographs and Indian ruins. The falls are beautiful all year and make a great swimming hole in the summer.
For the Upper Calf Creek Falls, continue on Hwy 12 to mile marker 81. About six tenths of a mile further, there is a dirt road on the left going into a parking lot. On the far side of the parking lot there is a trailhead and sign in box. Follow the cairns (three stacked rocks) down the steep rock slope. About 200' down, turn around and get a visual look at the horizon so you have no difficulty finding you car when you come out. This hike is about 1 ¼ miles to the falls. I love this hike because it is less known and the falls are just as beautiful.
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5. Round Valley Gorge
 From the Inn, go east on Hwy 12 to Cannonville and turn right to the Cottonwood Canyon Road. Six miles from where it turns to dirt and at the bottom of a steep descent, there is a dirt road on the right. Turn right and go about 1 ½ miles down a pretty rough road that requires a high clearance vehicle. There is a place to park and sign in for the canyon. Follow the wash until the earth splits open in a big crack. This is a very unusual and exciting entrance to a slot canyon. The canyon is very narrow and has many obstacles that require some canyoneering. If you are not experienced, it is best to go with a guide. Many guests claim this is not a hike but an adventure! |
 6. Red Canyon
Red Canyon is 20 miles west of the Inn on Hwy 12. I call it the 'user-friendly' Park because there are fewer people and the canyons are multi but separate use. Casto Canyon is for ATV's. The trail goes through red rock and canyon walls with caves and hoodoos. Losee Canyon is for horseback rides and mountain bikes.
There is a foot trail in Losee Canyon that takes you under an arch and up around windows, making for great photographs. |
7 - How many days do you have?
Not counting the many trails in Bryce Canyon, there are endless destinations in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument ranging from spectacular drives, 4 wheel drives, walks, hikes, to rock climbing. There are day hikes from ¼ mile to 18 miles and back pack trips from 2 days to 7 days. Your time is the only limited to the unsurpassed experiences you can have! |
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