Utah and Colorado Trip Part Two
May 4th, 2023
Our next stay after Montrose, CO was going to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where we stayed at Escalante, UT for about a week. All said and done we did five hikes:
- Escalante River to Natural Bridge Trail
- Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail
- Willis Creek Narrows Trail
- Phipps Arch Trail
- Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail.
Escalante River to Natural Bridge Trail:
Our first hike here was Escalante River to Natural Bridge Trail. On this hike we crossed the Escalante River 10+ times and at the end was a natural bridge (saidly we didn't get any photos of it), but the trail was quite interesting, due to the fact that we crossed the Escalante River 10+ times!
Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail:
Our second hike was Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail, where it kind of felt like you were just walking around in the desert, and then, all of the sudden, there was a waterfall in the desert. Lower Calf Creek Falls, in my opinion was easier difficulty wise than Upper Calf Creek Falls, but mileage wise, it was harder than the Upper falls.
Willis Creek Narrows:
This hike was one of our best hikes while here at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The hike was down Willis Creek nearby to Bryce Canyon National Park, where we hiked downstream and went through 5+ slot canyons on the way!
Phipps Arch Trail:
Our forth (and probably our best) hike was Phipps Arch Trail, where we followed the Escalante River 2 or so miles and then started up another creek for another 1 or so mile and then we climbed up to the top of the canyon that we were in. Then we found the Phipps Arch, which reminded me slightly of Arches National Park, but with no crowds whatsoever!
Upper Calf Creek Falls:
Upper Calf Creek Falls was our last hike while here at Grand Staircase-Escalante. It was a last second, unplanned hike, where it was only 2-3 miles, but literally, the road where the trailhead is, is on the edge of a cliff, several hundred feet tall on both sides! We were one of maybe 2 other groups on the entire hike, which was pretty empty, all things considered, being the only people at the falls.
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