I leave on Friday 5/27 for 9 days. We are traveling from Highway 12 to Lake Powell. You can view our progress from the link below:
Spot Adventures
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
River Update - A Great Week to Run
If you have been wondering - waiting - or holding off over the last few years, Now is the time to be running the Escalante River.
Look at the progression over the last few days. If you are on the river this week I would love to hear from you!
A storm is on the way into the area with temperatures dropping. It will be curious to watch the flows over the next 48 hours to see what happens.
I am in the middle of my own trip preparations for this year and have lots of additional information coming. In the mean time, a few years ago I did a there-and-back in Escalante with my GF and our younger kids. To get everything there we enlisted the help of her teenage son and friends.
With tight jeans and stocking caps they certainly seemed out of place in the desert sun, I had recently read a trip report of a group utilizing Pack Lamas on a guided trip. While traveling we labeled the teenagers - who were carrying a bulky load, the PACK EMO's.
Look at the progression over the last few days. If you are on the river this week I would love to hear from you!
A storm is on the way into the area with temperatures dropping. It will be curious to watch the flows over the next 48 hours to see what happens.
I am in the middle of my own trip preparations for this year and have lots of additional information coming. In the mean time, a few years ago I did a there-and-back in Escalante with my GF and our younger kids. To get everything there we enlisted the help of her teenage son and friends.
With tight jeans and stocking caps they certainly seemed out of place in the desert sun, I had recently read a trip report of a group utilizing Pack Lamas on a guided trip. While traveling we labeled the teenagers - who were carrying a bulky load, the PACK EMO's.
My buddy Marcus from ADailyDoodle.com enjoyed the story -and at my request drafted this quality piece on his site. Come to find out Emo is a deprecated term to the guys and they prefer some other term, not currently in need of their services, I forget.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Trip Planning - Maps
There are 2 essential maps you should travel with if you are floating the most popular routes from Highway 12.
If you have not discovered the guide maps from RiverMaps then you will absolutely love this website. These are downriver maps for every mile of the trip. This is a must have on the trip, and if you only take one, make it this water resistant book.
National Geographic Maps has some of the most accurate maps of the southwest. This one contains river mile tics as well as providing additional details of side canyons.
Where are we?
Trip Planning - Escape Routes
Tomorrow is the 30 day mark for my anticipated launch date this year. As always, I have been scavenging around the internet for recent updates, trip reports or information.
I have to give it to you packrafters - seems that you are the best at Trip Reporting information. I have been reading your posts recently and as usual am surprised at some of the mis-information that gets out there.
One recent posters experience after making it to the GSESM Visitors Center in Escalante Utah surprised me the most, but was also reminiscent of my first experience as well. After traveling some distancing this person checked-in for the required backcountry pass and was told, as he explains...."they told me the river was kinda all or nothing".
What a dis function for the poor packer, of all types of paddlers - the Escalante River is truly most accessible to you!
This brought me head on with the very important topic of ESCAPE Routes. They will certainly mention them to you if you stop by the office to get your pass. Mater of factly, if I remember my own experience correctly. Because the numbing had already set in for me by that point of my first visit, I didn't pick up the topic for further discussion - only reassured them that it was included in all of our trip planning, and was noted or relevant maps being used.
I will do my best below to list them in order passed along the way, starting from the Highway 12 put-in. If you are using a different location - your put-in will likely be noted as a possible exit route. If you know of a useful route not mentioned please let me know.
Important Note: Help can be a long way off in the river basin. Cell phone service will NOT work and should not be relied upon. Even if help is contacted they could be hours away from your location. In severe circumstance a river escape may be your only option. However - just because you are out of the basin does not mean that roads are not miles away.
Escalante River Escape Routes
1.) This first mile or more is private property with houses and cabins nearby.
2.) Mile 6.3 Boulder Creek.
If you make it this far and need out your best bet would be to turn around and take the trail back toward the highway. Phipps Canyon could be used also.
3.) Mile 6 - 12 - Ladder Canyon LKA
At mile 10.5 is an unnamed exit right locally known as Ladder.
4.) Mile 13- 18 The Gulch.
At mile 15.4 is The Gulch, it's 8.4 miles to the trail head from here. Note: There is a ladders exit in the The Gulch, however the main canyon exit is an easier route.
5.) Mile 19 - 24 Lower Sand Slide
This overland route will get you out of the river drainage. From the top of the dune locate the pink dome on the right.
6.) Mile 25 - 30 Harris Wash:
Located at mile 29.2 this is one of the most popular canyons in the area.
7.) Mile 31 - 36 Fence Canyon.
Located at mile 35.8 in the Egypt 3 area this is the SHORTEST route out, it is also a popular destination because of it's proximity to Neon.
8.) Mile 37 - 42 Twenty Five Mile Wash
Located at mile 41.9 this is also a major trail exit.
9.) Mile 43 - 48 Moody Creek
At mile 48, this is 1 of 3 with this name.
10.) Mile 49 - 54 Scorpion Gulch
Located at mile 55. You are 8.8 miles from the trail head.
11.) Mile 55 - 61. Fold Canyon
Mile 60.8 leads to this lengthy climb.
12.) Mile 62 - 67 Hydra Canyon
At mile 65.5 this would be a difficult canyon to climb out of.
13.) Mile 68 - 73 None
14.) Mile 74 - 79 Coyote Gulch
At mile 75.4 is a main take-out for those leaving the river, this is the Crack-in-the-wall route. This is also the last meaning exit before Lake Powell.
15.) Mile 80 - 85 Explorer Canyon
This will be your pick-up location on the lake.
None of these routes identified are easy, if you are injured attempting any of these could be foolish. The shortest route out is at Fence Canyon, located almost in the middle of the trip for those exiting at Coyote Gulch. This route is just over 3 miles with the most difficult section being the last 800 foot ascent. Most of these exit river right, The Gulch and Moody Creek being the notable exception.
Good luck in your trip planning and be safe!
I have to give it to you packrafters - seems that you are the best at Trip Reporting information. I have been reading your posts recently and as usual am surprised at some of the mis-information that gets out there.
One recent posters experience after making it to the GSESM Visitors Center in Escalante Utah surprised me the most, but was also reminiscent of my first experience as well. After traveling some distancing this person checked-in for the required backcountry pass and was told, as he explains...."they told me the river was kinda all or nothing".
What a dis function for the poor packer, of all types of paddlers - the Escalante River is truly most accessible to you!
This brought me head on with the very important topic of ESCAPE Routes. They will certainly mention them to you if you stop by the office to get your pass. Mater of factly, if I remember my own experience correctly. Because the numbing had already set in for me by that point of my first visit, I didn't pick up the topic for further discussion - only reassured them that it was included in all of our trip planning, and was noted or relevant maps being used.
I will do my best below to list them in order passed along the way, starting from the Highway 12 put-in. If you are using a different location - your put-in will likely be noted as a possible exit route. If you know of a useful route not mentioned please let me know.
Important Note: Help can be a long way off in the river basin. Cell phone service will NOT work and should not be relied upon. Even if help is contacted they could be hours away from your location. In severe circumstance a river escape may be your only option. However - just because you are out of the basin does not mean that roads are not miles away.
Escalante River Escape Routes
1.) This first mile or more is private property with houses and cabins nearby.
2.) Mile 6.3 Boulder Creek.
If you make it this far and need out your best bet would be to turn around and take the trail back toward the highway. Phipps Canyon could be used also.
3.) Mile 6 - 12 - Ladder Canyon LKA
At mile 10.5 is an unnamed exit right locally known as Ladder.
4.) Mile 13- 18 The Gulch.
At mile 15.4 is The Gulch, it's 8.4 miles to the trail head from here. Note: There is a ladders exit in the The Gulch, however the main canyon exit is an easier route.
5.) Mile 19 - 24 Lower Sand Slide
This overland route will get you out of the river drainage. From the top of the dune locate the pink dome on the right.
6.) Mile 25 - 30 Harris Wash:
Located at mile 29.2 this is one of the most popular canyons in the area.
7.) Mile 31 - 36 Fence Canyon.
Located at mile 35.8 in the Egypt 3 area this is the SHORTEST route out, it is also a popular destination because of it's proximity to Neon.
8.) Mile 37 - 42 Twenty Five Mile Wash
Located at mile 41.9 this is also a major trail exit.
9.) Mile 43 - 48 Moody Creek
At mile 48, this is 1 of 3 with this name.
10.) Mile 49 - 54 Scorpion Gulch
Located at mile 55. You are 8.8 miles from the trail head.
11.) Mile 55 - 61. Fold Canyon
Mile 60.8 leads to this lengthy climb.
12.) Mile 62 - 67 Hydra Canyon
At mile 65.5 this would be a difficult canyon to climb out of.
13.) Mile 68 - 73 None
14.) Mile 74 - 79 Coyote Gulch
At mile 75.4 is a main take-out for those leaving the river, this is the Crack-in-the-wall route. This is also the last meaning exit before Lake Powell.
15.) Mile 80 - 85 Explorer Canyon
This will be your pick-up location on the lake.
None of these routes identified are easy, if you are injured attempting any of these could be foolish. The shortest route out is at Fence Canyon, located almost in the middle of the trip for those exiting at Coyote Gulch. This route is just over 3 miles with the most difficult section being the last 800 foot ascent. Most of these exit river right, The Gulch and Moody Creek being the notable exception.
Good luck in your trip planning and be safe!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Planning the Right Trip for YOU
As my loved ones sometimes reminds me, there is a fine line between carefully planning the right trip and obsessing over the potential of unknowns. Well - she's right! There is a fine line - very fine.
To me it seems simple, if you are the type of person willing to take the risk - travel 85 miles of life changing terrain to get a glimpse of the best scenery anywhere to be found - well, then you are also the person willing to put up the boot work to make it happen.
The above Itinerary is from my 2010 Solo trip of May/June. I used the layout of the previous year trip because it seemed to work well for me and provide the type of details I wanted to keep a hands reach. It's lacking some information that you may want to add for you trip.
Most noticeably one could point out it does not have Escape routes or known water sources. I will supplement these in their own postings later.
To me it seems simple, if you are the type of person willing to take the risk - travel 85 miles of life changing terrain to get a glimpse of the best scenery anywhere to be found - well, then you are also the person willing to put up the boot work to make it happen.
The above Itinerary is from my 2010 Solo trip of May/June. I used the layout of the previous year trip because it seemed to work well for me and provide the type of details I wanted to keep a hands reach. It's lacking some information that you may want to add for you trip.
Most noticeably one could point out it does not have Escape routes or known water sources. I will supplement these in their own postings later.
Considerations for building your trip
- Consider your limits and those in your party. Don't plan your failure, keep within what you know you have done before.
- Write down your plan. Give your loved ones a break, worse case they know where to start looking.
- Make room for changes. You don't know what's around that next turn. If you don't have the time to give yourself then you will be really late after the rescue!
- Add useful information. Site seeing is probably why you are there, note the places you want to stop.
- Include distances. It helps estimate travel time and tracks adherence to the schedule.
- Keep it handy. It's reassurance when moving that you are on-track and on time. The take-out on Lake Powell is at least $350 and will charge you if you miss.
- Add notes. Time forgets all things - and you will too. It will add to next years plan or make a great souvenir.
In The News
If you have picked up the May 2011 copy of Canoe & Kayak then you had to notice the centerfold article with the great shot of Stevens Arch.
It's no wonder this secret slips out more and more. With the water levels close to record levels this year it will be interesting to see how much pressure the river gets. If you are going out, preparedness is your best defense.
With the beautiful scenery around almost every turn its no wonder that it's easy to forget the details and preparation needed for such an adventure.
With the season around the next warm turn I will start to create a few straight technical details post for anyone new this year needing that hard to find information. If nothing else, a good place to start could be the River Runners Guide to Utah and Adjacent Areas.
The last thing anyone wants is for someone to get injured out there. When stopping by the BLM office in Escalante you might notice that they are very cautious even hesitant to issue a river travel permit. When I was there the first year running the river, they also didn't have staff on-site that could adequately speak about current hazards or conditions.
Back to the press... It is worth noting that although the river is listed as a Class I-II river there are enough obstacles, changing or unknown conditions and impressive currents at even modest flows. It's a great river for almost anyone with enough enthusiasm to take it on, but not to be considered lightly or attempted unprepared.
It's no wonder this secret slips out more and more. With the water levels close to record levels this year it will be interesting to see how much pressure the river gets. If you are going out, preparedness is your best defense.
With the beautiful scenery around almost every turn its no wonder that it's easy to forget the details and preparation needed for such an adventure.
With the season around the next warm turn I will start to create a few straight technical details post for anyone new this year needing that hard to find information. If nothing else, a good place to start could be the River Runners Guide to Utah and Adjacent Areas.
The last thing anyone wants is for someone to get injured out there. When stopping by the BLM office in Escalante you might notice that they are very cautious even hesitant to issue a river travel permit. When I was there the first year running the river, they also didn't have staff on-site that could adequately speak about current hazards or conditions.
Back to the press... It is worth noting that although the river is listed as a Class I-II river there are enough obstacles, changing or unknown conditions and impressive currents at even modest flows. It's a great river for almost anyone with enough enthusiasm to take it on, but not to be considered lightly or attempted unprepared.
Without much delay I will publish Itinerary, Escape Route, Maps and Gear, Water and Take-Out information that will assist in your planning for the weeks to come. The flow is still low and recent storms in Utah have both added to the snow pack and kept temperatures cool, this may be a year where a mid June trip could be anticipated.
Be safe, more to come.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Recommend Flows - Ifs, Ands and Buts
The Escalante River may be one of the hardest Western rivers - perhaps just plain impossible - to accurately predict the expected flow while planning a trip.
Before my first trip, I poured over every bit of information in print and online that could be found with a special interest in understanding what people were saying about 'recommended cfs flows' before I started. Truth is, my mind had already been made at that point and whatever information was to be found and considered was for informative purposes only. Every thing I could find pointed that a minumum 50 cfs would be required.
This presents a HUGE problem. Looking at USGS water site one can almost immediately see that an expected flow in spring time at this rate is all but unheard of. One place I found said a combined flow with Boulder Creek of 50 cfs would be sufficient. Problem there is that no information is available for flow rates on Boulder Creek. Finally in publication I found a recommendation as low as 30 cfs on upper Escalante to make the trip possible. As an example, the highest annual average mean value I could find on the site was in 2005 and was 37.4.
Hopefully this will not be the first time I have said this here, I am not an expert of anything. I can tell only the stories of my own experience. I have successfully traveled consecutively twice from Highway 12 to Lake Powell. Neither of my trips included a reading near the recommended levels, in fact my first trip was at a very low reading. This trip required pushing, kicking and determination to complete at this low of a level. Here are the flows on the dates of my travels.
If the date on the picture is correct the flow at the time this was taken would have been exactly 16cfs. The day that this article was written is 3/8/2011 and the reading currently available from this location is 5.8 cfs almost 3 times lower than what we see in the picture. A reading of 16 by this early date might have implied rain in the area , this would further explain the heavy silting. I am hoping for a serious spring storm this year while Im in town so I can inspect this station at a higher flow. I honestly can't imagine what a reading at 400 or above would look like here, let alone fit in this stream bed. I'm off track....
Before my first trip, I poured over every bit of information in print and online that could be found with a special interest in understanding what people were saying about 'recommended cfs flows' before I started. Truth is, my mind had already been made at that point and whatever information was to be found and considered was for informative purposes only. Every thing I could find pointed that a minumum 50 cfs would be required.
This presents a HUGE problem. Looking at USGS water site one can almost immediately see that an expected flow in spring time at this rate is all but unheard of. One place I found said a combined flow with Boulder Creek of 50 cfs would be sufficient. Problem there is that no information is available for flow rates on Boulder Creek. Finally in publication I found a recommendation as low as 30 cfs on upper Escalante to make the trip possible. As an example, the highest annual average mean value I could find on the site was in 2005 and was 37.4.
Hopefully this will not be the first time I have said this here, I am not an expert of anything. I can tell only the stories of my own experience. I have successfully traveled consecutively twice from Highway 12 to Lake Powell. Neither of my trips included a reading near the recommended levels, in fact my first trip was at a very low reading. This trip required pushing, kicking and determination to complete at this low of a level. Here are the flows on the dates of my travels.
 |
| 2009 |
 |
| 2010 |
Before we take this further it's important to know a little information about the gauging station that provides the only real-time information available. The actual gauge is located just outside of the town of Escalante and almost 17 miles from the put-in on Highway 12. The river at this earlier point most times of the year is little more than what I might call an irrigation canal. Last year the USGS posted a new picture on the website that I would consider a very generous flow, you can notice the heavy silted brown color that usually runs at bit clearer during this time of year when I have visited the station.
 |
| Photo from USGS Real-Time Water Date website - used as reference only |
Highway 12 is also the confluence of the Escalante with Calf Creek. Although not measured, this stream provides some additional relief and is located just after bridges west side. I found this great example on the Utah State University web site.
 |
| Photo from Utah State University website - used as reference only. |
6 miles downstream is the confluence of the Escalante with Boulder Creek. Boulder doesn't seem to be perennial. Although it can provide some significant volumes when running. In 2009, the first year I floated this was dry and did not contribute. I have to admit I was somewhat dismayed as this seemed likely to have still been flowing on 6/13/09.
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