Lower Harris Wash used to be quite popular The lower section of the canyon has an idyllic small stream meandering down to the Escalante river, cutting deep overhangs along the way The overhangs are reminiscent of the very popular Coyote Gulch, but maybe not quite as dramatic The canyon used to be one that ranchers ran cows in until the early 1990s when grazing was stopped Today, then canyon doesn't seem very popular It is quite overgrown and the easiest path is generally to hike in the stream bed proper A use trail...

NOTE: Both Danger and Jukebox Caves are gated and locked You can visit the outside of them, and look in through the gate, but can't go inside without being on a tour The site is owned and managed by Utah State Parks as a monument, and tours are by arrangement with a third-party I can't speak highly enough for the guided tour! It was incredibly informative and by far the best way to visit and learn about the caves As of 2024, you can find information on future caves tours here: https://metcalfarchaeologycom/danger-c...

Kelso Dunes is likely the most visited attraction in the Mojave National Preserve The dunes encompass a massive 45 square miles with the tallest dune reaching about 650 feet 200 meters above the surrounding landscape It is the largest sand dune area in the Mojave Desert The main dune, described here, is steep, sandy, and quite beautiful! I was amazed on our mid-winter visit how many others were visiting but also making the steep loose trek to the dunes lofty summit Kids, families, and those that are young at heart ...

Established in 1965, Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the otherwise bleak, high desert of Wyoming The 26,400 acre refuge provides a welcome break in the limitless sagebrush plains Visited as early as the 1300's by Native Americans, over 200 species of birds have been spotted here, not to mention many types of mammals and other wildlife that call the area home The area was used, more recently, by travelers moving west in the mid-1800's Some of the old wagon ruts are still visible in the area On even a short...

The La Verkin Creek trail offers a stunning, and long day hike to the Kolob Arch viewpoint Until the early 21st century, Kolob Arch was believed to be the worlds largest free standing arch At 2874 feet, the arch is now considered the second longest spanning arch in the world, behind Landscape Arch in Arches National Park Reaching the viewpoint is a long hike, about 14 miles and 1000' of gain, and not a day hike to take lightly Much of the hike will be in full sun, bring at least 3 quarts and start early in hot time...

I consider a big part of the fun and enjoyment of canyoneering to be the route finding Great Gusto Canyon is one of those rare days that I didn't lead the group to the spot where I thought we would end up, but instead to a different drainage entirely The upshot of the snafu Instead of finding and rappelling through the arch I had hoped we would be rappelling through, we found an undocumented and impressive natural bridge and rappelled through that instead! Bridge, arch, it is all good! This is an advanced canyon be...

Grimes Point has a long history of human habitation, dating back 8000 years or more An ancient lake, Lake Lahontan, likely provided an excellent hunting grounds, water, and marsh lands Currently, the area is a dry, high desert region The signs of early habitation are clear, however, in a large concentration of ancient petroglyphs at Grimes Point This is one of the larger and older rock art sites I have seen and predates many rock art sites found in Utah and surrounding areas Just around the corner from Grimes Point...

Sid and Charley, named after brothers Sid and Charley Swasey who lived in the Swell in the early 1900's, is an Entrada tower standing in a lonely northwestern corner of the Swell The tower is infrequently visited, but makes a great outing It was first climbed in 2001 by Layne Potter at a grade of 510 C0, then later free'd at a rated 510+ That being said, if your not too proud to pull on bolts and possibly use a stick clip, this can be done at a very moderate 57 C0 or so The climbing is surprisingly fun, with great ...

Egypt 2 is famous for its often photographed first rappel The canyon starts with a bang from the trailhead and offers the adventurous canyoneer the option of a 90 m rappel right from the trailhead, or a much less dramatic 30 m rappel a few minutes further down along the rim Either choice deposits you in a stunning canyon The upper slot is fairly wide, with typically one short rappel early on As the canyon deepens, it also narrows offering several stunning long narrow sections and a few down climbs to keep it intere...

Upper Spring Canyon is one of those hikes that tests your mettle It is seldom trodden, long, and has beautiful scenery The hike is one I would recommend only to very fit and experienced desert hikers The route contains moderate route finding, sections of rough terrain, and has very limited water availability, the types of difficulties that can spell disaster for the unprepared Though challenging, it is also a very rewarding hike, ascending through layers of sandstone, up and over the Wingate layer, then meandering ...