Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
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Escalante Arch Grand Staircase-Escalante NM |
April 19, 2014
Today's route features several river crossings. I bought a
five-dollar pair of water shoes for this purpose, but they
inexplicably are still in the motel room. I will just wear my
faster-drying regular shoes over neoprene socks instead, and plan
to have wet feet all day. This trail isn't that long, anyway.
⇔
I'll try the Escalante option
Heading the other way would lead to a different collection of arches, but that's the stuff of another hike.
My stream-fording equipment is tested immediately
The Escalante River is but a foot deep here. So far, so good. This is the first place on my current trip where I have seen clear running water.
The scenery is getting better
Another river crossing...
...and another
Escalante River
At the fourth crossing I meet a very nice couple from Alaska, and —
horrors! I actually have forgotten their names. Having met so many folk
on the trail subsequent to this hike but prior the the writing of this journal,
and having misplaced some notes and incurred an injury as well, I must plead
incompetence until one of them sends me an email and straightens me out.
I hope that they will forgive me.
Mr. & Mrs. from Palmer, Alaska
Up the trail is an unnamed jughandle-type arch
Getting close. There is something unusual over to the left
Escalante Arch (aka Escalante Natural Bridge)
Sorry folks, but I cannot bring myself to identify this structure by
its commonly used name because, by definition, it is not a natural
bridge. It was formed by erosion and the forces of ice —
not by running water punching a hole in a rock. They did the same
thing with the naming of Morning Glory Arch near Moab.
In contrast, another feature over there, shown as Little Rainbow Bridge
on old topo maps, was corrected to Corona Arch at some juncture.
Irrespective of this guy's origin, however, it is gorgeous. Looking
for a way to get closer, I spot a use trail that can be accessed a couple
hundred feet upstream, running along the top of the steep river bank.
Only a little bit of boulder-hopping is necessary in order to stand
directly beneath the span. Oh, my!
This is why I go hiking ⇔
Under the arch
There is something remarkable about the alcoves underneath these big
arches — moist, quiet, sublime. Being in one of these
spots always feels really good.
Heading back
Another five creek crossings later, we are back at the trailhead. In the parking lot I overhear Dan, a maintenance manager at Bryce Canyon, describing to his family the short trail up to the Hundred Hands Petroglyph Panel. I have no knowledge of the route; but as long as somebody else does, I will follow along, wet feet and all.
Mom, in the white sweater, will not attempt the three-foot climb
As advertised, it takes only ten minutes or so to reach the base of the cliff. This panel can be viewed from a quarter of a mile away at the nearby highway overlook; but of course, being up close is much better.
The Hundred Hands Panel ⇔
Even this close, the figures are obscure. A zoom shot is in order:
There actually are more than 160 hands ⇔
§: What a great way to finish off a day — with a
serendipitous visit to one of the finest petroglyph panels I have seen!
That, plus a wonderful arch and some great company, add up to a memorable
day. And having soaked feet caused me no discomfort whatever.
The river was only about a foot deep on this occasion, making for easy crossings; doubtless its depth fluctuates depending upon recent weather upstream.
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| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
