Slot Canyons in the Utah SW Grand Circle of National Parks
Jul 26, 2019 09:28:05 #
Chaz T - Thank You so much for the info on the slot canyons of The American Southwest. That is exactly what I needed. I knew I could count on all of the UHH replies. What a great way to enjoy our passion by seeking out information from all of the wonderful photography minds on UHH.
Jul 26, 2019 09:32:35 #
PaulBrit
Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon
Great advice that is being noted. Reason is that we are heading for Capital Reef NP in late September/early October and this is a first-time trip for my wife and me plus Brandy, one of our dogs.
Jul 26, 2019 09:35:50 #
Jul 26, 2019 11:18:13 #
katcost
Loc: Covington, LA
I've been to a lot of the slot canyons around Antelope, including Canyon X - I was not at all impressed with Canyon X. There are a lot of canyons in the Grand Staircase but most require hiking to get to. Capital Reef has areas that are like slot canyons on steroids, big towering walls but also wide open passageways. Still, in the park itself you can drive to many of the trailheads and with minimal hiking, see magnificent walls. Also, off of Highway 12 is Burr Trail Road (in the town of Boulder, Utah). If you are driving on Highway 12, you must go to Burr Trail Road. There is a tiny slot canyon on the left side, I think about 1-2 miles after the curving drive into Long Canyon. There is a paved, good sized parking area that marks the entrance. It's small, but no reservation needed and again the walls are amazing. Long Canyon on Burr Trail Road is more than worth the short side trip.
Jul 26, 2019 11:40:58 #
PaulBrit
Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon
katcost wrote:
I've been to a lot of the slot canyons around Ante... (show quote)
That’s also great advice! Jeannie has Parkinson’s Disease and while she can walk half-a-mile or so it’s rather slow. So advice like this is invaluable. Thank you!
Jul 26, 2019 11:47:10 #
Check out this series of books:
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-1-Southern-Utah/dp/0916189236/ref=asc_df_0916189236/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312050264297&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14648106527771588031&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033873&hvtargid=pla-413712896637&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61316180559&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312050264297&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14648106527771588031&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033873&hvtargid=pla-413712896637
Never swap out a lens in a slot canyon. They are dusty places.
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-1-Southern-Utah/dp/0916189236/ref=asc_df_0916189236/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312050264297&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14648106527771588031&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033873&hvtargid=pla-413712896637&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61316180559&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312050264297&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14648106527771588031&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033873&hvtargid=pla-413712896637
Never swap out a lens in a slot canyon. They are dusty places.
Jul 26, 2019 12:13:38 #
katcost
Loc: Covington, LA
She can definitely handle the small slot canyon off of Burr Trail Road. Burr Trail Road itself is beautiful.
If you have the time and the road is open, keep heading down Burr Trail Road to the switchbacks - you can switchback your way down through some wonderful walls and then turn around and head back towards Boulder, or keep going and end up just above Capital Reef. You will miss driving over Boulder Mountain if you go this way, and it is mostly dirt road (well maintained). It's a long haul after the switchbacks but some interesting scenery along the way. Over Boulder Mountain, you can get to Torrey from Boulder in 45 mins to an hour. If you take Burr Trail Road, I think it takes about and hour and a half (actually more, due to camera stops).
If you have the time and the road is open, keep heading down Burr Trail Road to the switchbacks - you can switchback your way down through some wonderful walls and then turn around and head back towards Boulder, or keep going and end up just above Capital Reef. You will miss driving over Boulder Mountain if you go this way, and it is mostly dirt road (well maintained). It's a long haul after the switchbacks but some interesting scenery along the way. Over Boulder Mountain, you can get to Torrey from Boulder in 45 mins to an hour. If you take Burr Trail Road, I think it takes about and hour and a half (actually more, due to camera stops).
Jul 26, 2019 12:34:16 #
Ha, ha. It's "Capitol." Keep trying. Third time is the charm.
I hope you get the information you seek. Have you tried doing an Internet search?
I hope you get the information you seek. Have you tried doing an Internet search?
PHOTOAL wrote:
Sorry, yes Capital Reef. Been watching too much shark stuff on NGC.
Jul 26, 2019 12:58:43 #
Jul 26, 2019 13:37:05 #
davesit
Loc: Lansing, New York
We just did the Capitol Reef - Escalante - Bryce - Zion circuit in June. Just east of the town of Escalante are two slot canyons called Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons. They were great but require hiking over a mile through the desert to get there, followed by some very strenuous climbing (the entrance to Peek-a-Boo requires climbing up a 15-foot wall with tiny foot holds). I would avoid them if your wife has difficulties with such activities. The drive on Highway 12 from Boulder to Escalante (or vice versa) has a stretch that is one of the scariest drives I have ever been to. Imagine a narrow 2-way road with sheer drops on both sides!
Jul 26, 2019 13:39:07 #
gorgehiker
Loc: Lexington, Ky
katcost wrote:
She can definitely handle the small slot canyon of... (show quote)
Is Burr Trail Road paved? Can I drive a Subaru Impreza on it without getting nervous?
Jul 26, 2019 14:33:03 #
katcost
Loc: Covington, LA
A majority of it is not paved, but it is well maintained. I would not hesitate to drive it in your car. The only exception would be snow or major rain. Snow would most likely close the road and if it were major rain, you would not want to drive it anyway.
The drive between Boulder and Escalante has that stretch of road called the devil's backbone - sheer drop offs on either side. However, it is paved and very well marked and loads of fun with several pulls off where you can stand and peer over the edge. If you have a fear of heights, don't pull off and look down.
The drive between Boulder and Escalante has that stretch of road called the devil's backbone - sheer drop offs on either side. However, it is paved and very well marked and loads of fun with several pulls off where you can stand and peer over the edge. If you have a fear of heights, don't pull off and look down.
Jul 26, 2019 15:57:53 #
PHOTOAL wrote:
Sorry, yes Capital Reef. Been watching too much shark stuff on NGC.
Too much shark stuff? Next week Discovery Channel switches from the Moon to sharks! Best of luck on your Canyon trip.
Jul 26, 2019 16:56:22 #
For starters ALL hiking ANYWHERE on the Navajo Nation (The Rez is a disrespectful term) requires a permit, usually available from the local Chapter House or at the entrance/parking at Upper Antelope, or at Monument Valley. Buckskin Gulch, which is the longest slot canyon known is free and is on public lands between Kanab and Page. However it takes a bit of a hike to get through it as do most slot canyons. Little Wild Horse in the San Rafael Swell is another possibility. In general I'd recommend going to less places and spending more time at them rather than spending a lot of time driving between places that you don't have the time to get to know. I ay this as someone who's spent a thousand days (literally) backpacking in Southern Utah.
Jul 26, 2019 18:07:15 #
Cany143
Loc: SE Utah
I'm (more pleasantly than I can state) impressed. This is possibly the first of these 'what's where in the area' posts where the replies have largely been very useful, practical, and on target.
In Kanab, at the BLM permit issuing office, ask to speak with Mike Salamacha. Nobody --and I mean nobody-- is a better resource. Take your time, be candid, learn from him and/or from others (NPS, BLM, State Park Rangers elsewhere, web site 'trip report-ers,' locals at the diner, etc.), and don't overestimate your --and your wife's & grandkid's-- capabilities (something that almost everybody does, not knowing otherwise). In the long run, whatever you do, or find, or even don't do, you can't help but come home with images --and experiences-- you might never have dreamed you'd come home with.
In Kanab, at the BLM permit issuing office, ask to speak with Mike Salamacha. Nobody --and I mean nobody-- is a better resource. Take your time, be candid, learn from him and/or from others (NPS, BLM, State Park Rangers elsewhere, web site 'trip report-ers,' locals at the diner, etc.), and don't overestimate your --and your wife's & grandkid's-- capabilities (something that almost everybody does, not knowing otherwise). In the long run, whatever you do, or find, or even don't do, you can't help but come home with images --and experiences-- you might never have dreamed you'd come home with.
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