Escalante, Utah

Had been to the Escalante, Utah area a couple of times over the past ten years or so but there was still some areas I wanted to explore.  Namely Hole in the Rock Road which leads out to the historic Hole in the Rock.  It's about 124 miles of beat up washboard dirt road out of Escalante.  After 62 miles of it going in you get to turn around and do it all over again to get out. Was so rough in fact after about 30 miles going in I said the hell with this pulled over and unloaded the motorcycle.  Felt like the truck was going to rattle itself apart if I kept on pounding down the road.   Was much easier and faster on the bike.  Came back to the camper late that evening and camped in the area prior to getting back to Escalante the following day. The historic Hole in the Rock is where the Mormon party, in 1880, literally cut through the rock ledge which allowed them access down to the Colorado River. Once access was gained they crossed and continued on to establish Mormon settlements in other areas in the southwest. When standing at the top and looking down at to what they did is amazing.  Not only the actual feat of cutting the path of over 600 feet down to the river but they lowered wagons and livestock down this.  I crawled down about 3/4 of the way to the river and could not wrap my mind over what they had accomplished!  Crawling down and back up this makes you realize just what a feat it was. If you're into western history it's a must do trip to view it.  If into hiking and the outdoors Escalante is paradise.  Sooooooooo much to explore out here.

Prior to Escalante, I took a side trip through Capitol Reef National Park.  Not a lot of pictures while in Capital Reef but managed a few.

Hole in the rock.  The picture below doesn't do it justice.  This is one of those areas you've got to experience in person to truly appreciate the scale and steepness of the grade going down.  Getting a wagon and livestock team down this would have been a "real" adventure.  

Dance Hall Rock.  Natural rock structure where the Mormon party staged on the way out to Hole in the Rock.  The party would spend weeks here while the work was being performed about another 20 miles at Hole in the Rock.  (Sorry for the poor picture quality on the next few photos.  Camera setting was off but wanted to show the area so I utilized them anyway).

Road leading in.

 Camp for the night was set up back next to the slick rock.

There are some side roads to explore wherein you can gain access to some trails leading to Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons. If you're claustrophobic these are not hikes you'll enjoy.  Removal of the backpack and literally sliding along is required in places.  If caught in here during a flash flood it would be one of those "oh shit moments."

After exploring the Hole in the Rock Road and side canyons I got back out to Escalante and camped a couple more nights.  View from a great campsite on a bluff looking back towards Capitol Reef.  Big storms would roll in each evening and put on quite a show.