Day 1

Shuttle to the trailhead: 3-hour drive from St. George, Utah
Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Loss: 250 feet

This Utah backpacking trip begins at the Harris Wash Trailhead just off the rugged Hole-in-the-Rock road. From the trailhead we hike downstream in an open and dry wash and after 1 mile the wash begins to resemble a canyon as short walls of Navajo Sandstone begin to appear. Next the stream begins to flow continuously and after 3 miles of hiking we arrive at a narrow notch where the stream once cut through a bend and straightened its course. The abandoned stream course, or rincon, is north of the notch. Camp will be made after approximately 5 miles under overhangs in the canyon.


Day 2

Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Loss: 250 feet

Continuing our hike downstream through stands of cottonwood and willows, we'll watch the gulch deepen and narrow between towering walls of sandstone, streaked with patterns of desert varnish. After hiking 5 miles we come to the confluence of Harris Wash and the Escalante River. We'll make camp at this junction on a "bench" overlooking the canyon bottom. The "bench" was once a cowboy camp for settlers in the late 19th century, as evidenced by the engravings they left in the rock near camp.


Day 3

Mileage: 2 miles and 4 miles optional day hiking
Elevation Gain: 500 feet

A casual morning will precede a day hike to Silver Falls Creek. We’ll hike upstream in this dry but magnificent canyon to an impressive amphitheater and the George Hobbs memorial. In February, 1883, Mr. Hobbs was ferrying supplies by pack string to Bluff, Utah when he was trapped for five days by a snowstorm. Believing he would not survive he inscribed his own memorial on the canyon wall. After our day hike we’ll proceed 1.5 miles up the Escalante River and ascend a long sandy slope. It is a strenuous hike in soft sand to the beautiful pinyon-juniper benchlands of higher country and our camp.


Day 4

Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 0 feet
Shuttle to St. George: 3-hour drive

Following breakfast we’ll break camp and hike the rolling slickrock before eventually arriving back at our starting point. En route we’ll take time to drink in the endless views and reflect back on this amazing backpacking adventure!