Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
intrepid hikers who climb a steep one-mile path up the mountain-side are rewarded with
heavenly vistas.
Southeast of the park the 37-mile-long Cottonwood Canyon four-wheel-drive dirt road
takes you past Grosvenor Arch, an immense double span named for Gilbert H. Grosvenor,
founder of the National Geographic Society. You have now entered the Grand Staircase-
EscalanteNationalMonument,oneofthemostremoteregionsoftheAmericanSouthwest.
This area is a favorite among locals, but bring plenty of water, provisions, and a current
weather forecast if you venture into the district—untimely changes in the weather, includ-
ing snow and flash floods, can be life-threatening and sometimes close the road—always
come prepared for a long, cold stay.
7. Escalante State Park
Strewn about the landscape of this extraordinary 1,400-acre desert park are an abundance
ofancientfallenlogsthat,throughthemagicofnature'salchemy,wereslowlytransformed
into stone. Preserved beneath layers of sand and gravel, their wood was replaced by miner-
als painted in iridescent hues, then exposed by erosion. This fossilized wood—more than 5
million tons of it—is a sight that never fails to dazzle visitors.
Located just west of the town of Escalante, the park displays its colorful collection of
jewels along an interpretive trail. Geologic history is explained at a visitor center, along
with Indian artifacts dating back to the 11th century, and dinosaur bones from the Jurassic.
At nearby Wide Hollow Reservoir, rimmed with shady cottonwood trees, activities include
swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
Continuing eastward on Scenic Byway 12, the drive connects with several scenic side
roads.ThePoseyLake Scenic Backway,just northofEscalante, passes PoseyLake, ringed
by Ponderosa pines. Serenity gives way to excitement as you reach Hell's Backbone Road,
a challenging ride leading to Hell's Backbone Bridge and stupendous views into the heart
of Dixie National Forest and Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument.
Another regional route, the Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Backway, takes off from Scenic
Byway 12five miles east ofEscalante. Again, afour-wheel-drive vehicle isrecommended,
as are ample provisions; the best sights lie far off the gravel-and-dirt road, close to the Es-
calante River—a territory suitable only for vigorous, well-equipped hikers.
The road leads to a gap in the 2,000-foot-high cliffs, through which 19th-century Mor-
mons drove and dropped covered wagons on their journey westward. Be forewarned,
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