Forum Index > Trip Reports > Escalante Grand Loop, Canyons Beyond Canyons Apr 25-30, 2015
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
John Morrow
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostMon May 04, 2015 9:23 am 
It doesn't get better in the desert...... Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Crack in the Wall Route to Coyote Gulch/Escalante River. Up Stevens Canyon complete ascent to Fold Pass. Down Fold Canyon complete descent from Fold Pass. Down Escalante River 7 mile wade and thrash. Up Bobway Canyon to mesa. Kings Mesa crossing. Down Long Branch Sleepy Hollow Rim to Sleepy Hollow. Down Coyote Gulch. Crack in the Wall ascent to Trailhead. 53 mile loop.
Stevens Full Loop
Stevens Full Loop
Pictures of an amazing 6 Day Backpack Loop through trailless canyons rising East and West off the Escalante River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. I joined Kimberly S. (Rainie Too), Lori G., and Jerry S. for this spectacular adventure. I can not come up with the words so here is the picture report. Could not have gone better and I can not thank my partners enough..... Day 1: Crack in the wall to Escalante River to Stevens Canyon 5 miles.
Stevens Day 1
Stevens Day 1
Starting Out
Starting Out
To the River!
To the River!
First, Crack in the Wall
First, Crack in the Wall
Class 3/4 Crack descent
Class 3/4 Crack descent
Happy, happy, Lori
Happy, happy, Lori
Jerry reaches Coyote Gulch
Jerry reaches Coyote Gulch
River with "The Crack" above
River with "The Crack" above
Stevens Arch over river
Stevens Arch over river
Wading the Escalante
Wading the Escalante
Our canyon start
Our canyon start
Into Stevens Canyon
Into Stevens Canyon
Stevens twists
Stevens twists
The "poison ivy slope"
The "poison ivy slope"
Grotto arch to be bypassed
Grotto arch to be bypassed
Camp 1 above "The Grotto"
Camp 1 above "The Grotto"
The grotto groove
The grotto groove
Day 2: Up Stevens Canyon 9.5 miles.
Stevens Day 2
Stevens Day 2
Serene Stevens
Serene Stevens
Well watered
Well watered
The "Class 3?" exit
The "Class 3?" exit
Onto the Wingate Bench
Onto the Wingate Bench
Moving along
Moving along
Kimberly loving it
Kimberly loving it
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Big Navajo domes
Big Navajo domes
Traversin'
Traversin'
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, UT
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, UT
Key junction look
Key junction look
Beautiful Stevens scenes
Beautiful Stevens scenes
Ocassional tough brush
Ocassional tough brush
Camp 2 morning
Camp 2 morning
Day 3: Finish Stevens Canyon, climb to Fold pass, begin descent of Fold Canyon. 8 miles.
Stevens Day 3
Stevens Day 3
Idyllic waterfall
Idyllic waterfall
Time to climb out
Time to climb out
Class 4 "ish" exit
Class 4 "ish" exit
Back onto Wingate
Back onto Wingate
See 'em at right?
See 'em at right?
Nearing Steven's head
Nearing Steven's head
Kimberly moving along
Kimberly moving along
Grandeur
Grandeur
Our "key"enta exit
Our "key"enta exit
Kayenta climb
Kayenta climb
Yay! Fold Canyon
Yay! Fold Canyon
Jerry climbs out Stevens
Jerry climbs out Stevens
Descending Fold Pass
Descending Fold Pass
On firm Fold Canyon ground
On firm Fold Canyon ground
Moving down Fold
Moving down Fold
So gorgeous
So gorgeous
Un"Fold"ing drama
Un"Fold"ing drama
looking down the Barrel
looking down the Barrel
Fold Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.  Most only accessible via trailheads in GSENM.
Fold Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Most only accessible via trailheads in GSENM.
Kimberly scouts a way
Kimberly scouts a way
Crossing an obstruction
Crossing an obstruction
The sketch traverse "hell" dune
The sketch traverse "hell" dune
Dune exposure
Dune exposure
Old Growth crypto
Old Growth crypto
Day 4: Descend Fold Canyon, cross into spur canyon, downclimb to escalante River, wade escalante River downstream to Fools Canyon mouth. 9 miles.
Stevens Day 4
Stevens Day 4
Camp 3 morning
Camp 3 morning
yellow
yellow
unnamed Fold arch
unnamed Fold arch
Departing Camp 3
Departing Camp 3
Jerry cruises Fold
Jerry cruises Fold
Friends catching up
Friends catching up
To the Escalante
To the Escalante
Leaving Fold for Escalante River
Leaving Fold for Escalante River
Where's our exit?
Where's our exit?
Jerry finds the "Twin arches" mark
Jerry finds the "Twin arches" mark
Steve Allen's Cl 5.3 descent
Steve Allen's Cl 5.3 descent
Jerry makes quick work of it
Jerry makes quick work of it
Lori's turn
Lori's turn
Kimberly descends
Kimberly descends
flower
flower
Lots of River wading
Lots of River wading
Out of the River
Out of the River
Back into the river
Back into the river
Out of river
Out of river
in again
in again
moon appears
moon appears
Lori and tall Escalante walls
Lori and tall Escalante walls
More crossings
More crossings
Nearing Camp 4
Nearing Camp 4
Fools Canyon appears
Fools Canyon appears
Camp 4 at Fools Canyon
Camp 4 at Fools Canyon
Day 5: Continue down Escalante River Canyon. Climb out the Bobway to King Mesa. Cross mesa. Descend south rim of Long Branch of Sleepy Hollow into Sleepy hollow. Camp at mouth on Coyote Gulch. 10 miles.
Stevens Days 5 and 6
Stevens Days 5 and 6
Folda cup o' joe
Folda cup o' joe
Still smilin' Day 5
Still smilin' Day 5
Looks like beaver
Looks like beaver
Tall Escalante River walls
Tall Escalante River walls
Our nemisis
Our nemisis
Primrose
Primrose
Water up at Bobway
Water up at Bobway
Bye bye river, Lori
Bye bye river, Lori
Hot Bobway climb
Hot Bobway climb
Cool Bobway entry
Cool Bobway entry
This place rocks!
This place rocks!
Hell dune climb up ahead
Hell dune climb up ahead
Bobway sidecanyon
Bobway sidecanyon
Tiring sand
Tiring sand
Almost up
Almost up
Last river view
Last river view
Onto the sea of slickrock
Onto the sea of slickrock
Head to the dome (Rock BM)
Head to the dome (Rock BM)
Yellow aster?
Yellow aster?
Sunbaked...Giveus shelter
Sunbaked...Giveus shelter
Kimberly on Rock BM.
Kimberly on Rock BM.
Headed for Sleepy Hollow Pass
Headed for Sleepy Hollow Pass
Garden
Garden
Kimberly finds a rib
Kimberly finds a rib
Oh sh_t moment!  Pass not Pass
Oh sh_t moment! Pass not Pass
Must reset the course
Must reset the course
Navaho Mtn over Coyote Gulch
Navaho Mtn over Coyote Gulch
In a land of stone
In a land of stone
Lori skirts Sleepy hollow
Lori skirts Sleepy hollow
Long Branch Sleepy Hollow
Long Branch Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow moonrise
Sleepy Hollow moonrise
Descending rim left
Descending rim left
Ramp into Sleepy Hollow
Ramp into Sleepy Hollow
Day 6: descend Coyote Gulch to Crack in the Wall route back to Trailhead. 12 miles.
Day 6, Coyote Gulch start
Day 6, Coyote Gulch start
Jerry loving the tall walls
Jerry loving the tall walls
Jacob Hamblin Arch
Jacob Hamblin Arch
Coyote Gulch
Coyote Gulch
Coyote from top of Arch
Coyote from top of Arch
Probably should fix a hand line over a horn for one steep part if wearing multiday packs.  One sling available at present.
Probably should fix a hand line over a horn for one steep part if wearing multiday packs. One sling available at present.
Scouted this after the JHA north exit scout.  Can be ascended and descended with a big pack w/o gear.
Scouted this after the JHA north exit scout. Can be ascended and descended with a big pack w/o gear.
First Coyote falls
First Coyote falls
Coyote narrows
Coyote narrows
Coyote Bridge
Coyote Bridge
Cliff Arch behind Lori
Cliff Arch behind Lori
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
The gang!
The gang!
Coyote Gulch scene
Coyote Gulch scene
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, UT
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, UT
Cliff Spring!
Cliff Spring!
Narrowing through Kayenta
Narrowing through Kayenta
Time to climb to Crack
Time to climb to Crack

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostMon May 04, 2015 10:00 am 
stun.gif Looks fantastic, especially the grotto on day 1.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Ski
><((((°>



Joined: 28 May 2005
Posts: 12797 | TRs | Pics
Location: tacoma
Ski
><((((°>
PostMon May 04, 2015 10:09 am 
fabulous, as always. you are one lucky guy - trompin' around down there all the time! up.gif

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Jim Dockery
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lake Stevens
Jim Dockery
Member
PostMon May 04, 2015 7:26 pm 
Most excellent! up.gif up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
yukon222
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
yukon222
Member
PostMon May 04, 2015 8:17 pm 
Lots of interesting pics! Really like the attached maps too which show how convoluted the canyons are down there

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
silence
Member
Member


Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
silence
Member
PostTue May 05, 2015 7:22 am 
Nice one John, etal! Been down to the confluence of Coyote with the Escalante ... but pales in comparison to your most excellent trip!

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
John Morrow
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostTue May 05, 2015 7:23 am 
Thanks everyone!
jason wrote:
escalante country is fantastic. sounds and looks like a wonderful trip. been wanting to do stevens/fold for years. someday...
Jason, I hope you will find the TR useful for your planning. Let me know if you have any questions. John

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
mehitabel
archyologist



Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 519 | TRs | Pics
Location: the Emerald City
mehitabel
archyologist
PostTue May 05, 2015 7:34 pm 
Looks like a great trip! My husband, son and I did part of that--crack in the wall to Coyote Gulch
The Black Lagoon
The Black Lagoon
a few years ago. Southern Utah has got to be one of the best places in the world to be in April.

toujours gai toujours gai
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostTue May 05, 2015 11:02 pm 
John Morrow wrote:
Moving along
Moving along
That makes me want to walk that bench so bad. Love the southwest, will be in Sedona next week so thanks for the appetizer.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Rainie Too!
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 377 | TRs | Pics
Rainie Too!
Member
PostWed May 06, 2015 7:34 pm 
If you haven't been in the desert with John Marrow, you don't know what you are missing! Great navigator and nature conservationist.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Stella
Member
Member


Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 113 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
Stella
Member
PostWed May 06, 2015 9:05 pm 
Wow, wow, wow. Thank you for sharing!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Earthbound
Member
Member


Joined: 25 Oct 2008
Posts: 16 | TRs | Pics
Earthbound
Member
PostWed May 06, 2015 11:16 pm 
Great trip report John. In 2014, I walked Coyote to Stevens, and exited Stevens via Baker Route over the waterpocket fold and thru Halls Creek Narrows for a great 6 day trip. Thanks for this excellent post on your trip. I had been planning something similar for my next trip to Utah. Curious about the route you found that goes down into Coyote without the need for technical gear. Is that the slope that leads to north rim just before (upstream from) Jacob Hamblin Arch?

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostWed May 06, 2015 11:57 pm 
Wow, great way to put a route together.

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
John Morrow
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostTue May 12, 2015 7:08 am 
dougwalsh64 wrote:
Great trip report John. In 2014, I walked Coyote to Stevens, and exited Stevens via Baker Route over the waterpocket fold and thru Halls Creek Narrows for a great 6 day trip. Thanks for this excellent post on your trip. I had been planning something similar for my next trip to Utah. Curious about the route you found that goes down into Coyote without the need for technical gear. Is that the slope that leads to north rim just before (upstream from) Jacob Hamblin Arch?
Hello Doug, I love the thought of a trip over the Reef via the Baker Trail. Here's what we found for entrance/exits in Coyote: 1.Sleepy Hollow: at junction of Sleepy Hollow and Long Branch Sleepy Hollow a 4 foot log laying on slickrock allows easy access to the northeast, onto east rim of Long Branch, (obvious) and class 3 with log. 2.Go straight up over jacob Hamblin arch itself. Class 4 friction climbing. Would use a handline if descending (sling currently present around horn) 48" sling if it is gone. 3. Actually going out the south rim of Coyote toward 40 mile TH is the class 3/4 rib directly across from Jacob Hamblin Arch to the east (forms the opposite meander of the arch alcove). Careful footing with a big pack and no rope required. That's all we scouted. Does that answer it? John

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Go Jo
of the lykkens



Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics
Location: Around The Bend
Go Jo
of the lykkens
PostTue May 12, 2015 12:25 pm 
I adore this area! Thanks for the additional options for a return trip. up.gif up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Escalante Grand Loop, Canyons Beyond Canyons Apr 25-30, 2015
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum