Escape from Lockdown

For the past few years we had been doing a spring workshop in Joshua Tree Park but not this year so my friend Don from Santa Fe and I decided to do a photo trip in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah  to finally get out and to plan areas for a photo workshop in Utah.

Our first stop was in Kanab where we went to Red Canyon and to the ruins of the Gunsmoke set.  Gunsmoke was a popular TV show from 1955-1975 and was set in Dodge City, Kansas but they built a western town near Kanab and it was filmed there.  I had not been there for years and now Miss Kittys Saloon was collapsed.  When I was last there it was still standing.

The Remains of the Saloon

Red Canyon, Kanab

Red Canyon is a slot canyon near Kanab but we were warned that it was a very sandy 4WD trail in. Yes, it was deep sand but the worse part it was all down hill which made you wonder about getting out.  Getting out wasn't bad however as we deflated the tires to 15 PSI and did fine.

Kanab to Cannonville

 While is 86 miles by road we took the long way, 65 miles by dirt 4WD road, Skutumpah (easy for you to say) Road.  It crosses Bull Valley Gorge, a slot canyon over 100 feet deep and sometimes narrow enough you can jump over  it (you can, not me).  In it's day it was the road from Cannonville to Kanab and to bridge the gorge some big choke stones were pushed in and tree stumps and dirt filled in to make a bridge 15 feet thick.  in 1954 three people in a pickup died when part of the bridge collapsed.  Their bodies were recovered and in 2019 most of the truck was washed away although some parts of the truck are still there.The trail does past Willis Creek and ends in Cannonville.

Bull Valley Gorge

The New Bridge with the old Dirt Bridge under it

From Above Photo Zoomed in on Truck Wheel and Bumper

Willis Creek

 Willis Creek is one of my favorite slot canyons and has water running in it all year round.  When we were there years ago you had the feeling something was moving in the rocks above.  Then as we rounded the bend in a narrow part of the canyon there was a dead deer by the water and it was partly eaten by what would likely be a mountain lion that very morning.  I had a few years earlier stumbled on it by accident while looking for the Bull Valley Gorge.  Now it is in hiking guides and on Utube videos and has become very popular.

Cannonville to Escalante

From Escalante we took Hole in the Rock Road.  The road goes all the way to lake Powell and the Hole is where a Morman party cut steps through a slot in the cliff to pull their wagons up.  It is also access to several trailheads that go into the Paria River.  There is also a wash where three great slot canyons open into.  Dry Fork, Spooky, and Peek- a- Boo make for some great hiking.  Unfortunately a lot has changed since I was there years ago when with 4WD you could drive right to the wash and then we saw only one other person there the entire day.  Now there is a fenced area where you can park and hike to the wash.  Even early in the morning there were 20 or more cars there and the small narrow slot canyons will be very crowed. The Devils Garden and Egypt is also off the road.

Devils Garden

Egypt

 

Escalante to Boulder

 Highway 12 is a very scenic highway going past Lower Calf Creek Falls then up on a ridge with great views.  In the Fall the Cottonwood trees on the east side turn yellow in contrast to the red cliffs.  Lower Calf Creek falls is a 7 mile round trip hike to a 126 foot waterfall falling into a great swimming hole, a real desert oasis.

Cottonwood Trees

The Canyon to Calf Creek falls

Burr Trail

 The Burr Trail starts in Boulder and goes to the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.  It is called the most scenic road in Utah and they are most likely right.  At one point it drops more than 1000 feet in one mile in a series of switchbacks.  Just past the switchbacks it turns south to Lake Powell.  If you go north from that point you are on the Notom Road heading north through the Capital reef National Park

Start of Burr Trail

Burr Trail, The Switchbacks

 Went back to the switchbacks to catch the early morning light.

Burr Trail to lake Powell

 After the switchbacks the Burr Trail heads south to the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell where you can take the ferry across the lake to continue on to Arizona.

Singing Canyon, Burr Trail

 A large Cottonwood tree guards the entrance to Singing Canyon, a short slot canyon off the Burr Trail.

Hwy 24 Torrey to Hanksville

Last time here we forded the Fremont River and took the 4WD trail to Cathedral Valley. There is much to see on this 46 miles with Capital Reef National Park on the Torrey side.

Fremont River

 

Along the River

Hwy 24 Hanksville Area

 There is a lot to see on this highway, Factory Butte, The Overlook, Mars Area, and Hanksville Badlands.In addition south of Hanksville there are many slot canyons and to the north is Goblin Valley and more slot canyons.

Escalante to Boulder

Highway 12 goes through some very interesting country.  Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the most scenic hikes in Utah.  It is around 7 miles round trip but it takes you to a 126 foot falls that goes into a great swimming hole.  We did not have time to go there this trip but I did the hike about 5 years ago.  Past the turnout to the trailhead you are driving a ridge that drops off on each side and in the fall the Cottonwood trees the east side  are very colorful. 

Cottonwood Trees

Canyon to Calf Creek Falls

Burr Trail to Lake Powell

 

Burr Trail Switchbacks

 Most of the Burr Trail is a good gravel road but not the best place to be during rain, especially on the switchbacks.

Burr Trail to Lake Powell

 The Burr Trail starts in Boulder and ends up at the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell where you can take the ferry to the other side of the lake and on to Arizona.  It has been called the most scenic drive in Utah.  It goes past Singing Canyon and just before it gets to Notom Road it drops almost 1000 feet in one mile in a series of switchbacks. Where it meets Notom Road it turns right and continues on to Lake Powell.  Notom Roads goes north through Capital Reef National Park.

Start of Burr Trail

Singing Canyon, Burr Trail

Singing Canyon is a small slot canyon garded by a large Cottonwood tree.

Hwy 24 Torry to Hanksville

The last time we were in this area we forded the Fremont River and took the long trail to Cathedral Valley but there is so much to see on this 46 mile stretch of highway and never enough time. Capital Reef National Park is in the Torrey area and has a lot to see but also a lot of tourists.