OFF THE BEATEN PATH HIKES IN UTAH

I like red rock. You probably noticed that by now. One of the reasons I decided to start my own investment firm is because my love of the outdoors made me want to do something more. I realized that there is a to use investment portfolios for the benefit of the planet. The outdoors are something I care deeply about, and I want to do my part to preserve them for all to enjoy. So, today, I’m not writing about finance or investing at all. I’m writing about some of my favorite spots in Utah, in hopes of inspiring others to get out and explore.

CALF CREEK FALLS

Our first hike comes to us from my personal favorite area of the state. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. (This is one of the areas that was part of the Bears Ears controversy during President Trump’s term in office). The trailhead is about halfway between the towns of Boulder, and Escalante and if you are coming from the Boulder direction it is immediately following the section of highway known as the hogsback, and is quite frankly one of the wildest sections of roads you’ll ever see. It starts at a small campground, which doesn’t take reservations and fills early, but if you can get a spot its breathtaking. The hike itself is fairly easy, 6.7 miles along a mostly flat but sandy trail. As with any hike in southern Utah bring plenty of water. The waterfall itself is a dramatic stream spilling over a multicolored sandstone wall into a pool. Now, as someone who has been here several times this is my biggest tip. Start the hike at around 10AM, because when you get to the waterfall, you are going to want to swim in it. If you get there too late in the day, the sun will have descended behind the cliff wall and you want the sun shining, because that water is COLD.

DRUID ARCH

While this hike is in Canyonlands National Park, I consider it off the beaten path because it is in the less popular needles section of the park, and few people ever venture this far. If they do, even fewer of them embark on this 10 mile round trip hike through the open desert. Of all of the hikes on this list, make sure you bring a map here. Because it sees so little traffic there are some spots where it can get a little difficult to find your way. Honestly if you are a novice hiker, this is not a good place for you to be. The terrain isn’t too difficult of a hike, the heat will be your biggest challenge. Just as you near the end of the hike you will need to scramble up a section of boulders. Last time I went there was a rope available to help. As you approach the arch you will be coming at it from the side, so the opening will not be visible and it can even be a little difficult to pick out. Make your way around the valley to enjoy one of the most spectacular views you will ever come across as you take in this mammoth arch.

Now, if you want to add a few miles to your journey, and you have the aforementioned map handy, I’d recommend taking a detour on your hike out and stopping by a trail called the joint. It’s a textbook slot canyon. My final note with this hike, the map will show a 4x4 road that leads to a trailhead that looks like you could cut some miles off the hike, and take an alternative route through the joint. THIS IS A TRUE 4X4 TRAIL. do not attempt to take anything other than a trail ready 4x4 rig down this road.

PETROGLYPH CANYON

This hike is in Snow Canyon State Park. But the petroglyph canyon I am referring to is not the one you will find on the park maps. This one is very hidden, and you have to know how to get to it. The hike actually starts outside of the park on the highway that leads toward Veyo. This site has a great description of the hike, and the route finding that you’ll need to successfully make it to the canyon.

THE WEDGE

Admittedly this is a lot more of a viewpoint than it is a hike. It’s the kind of hike that can be as long, or as short as you want it to be. For this hike we go to a remote spot almost in the middle of the state in the San Rafael Swell. It goes by two names, the Wedge, or the little Grand Canyon. If you look at some pictures it’s very easy to understand why it gets that name. From the main parking area there is a trail that extends for a few miles along the canyon rim, leading to more viewpoints.

If you want to be extreme, and I don’t recommend this, you can attempt to hike through the canyon. I once convinced my wife’s family to do this hike with me. I estimated it would take about 8 hours to do the 13 mile hike. Well, 20 miles, 30 river crossings, and 12 hours later we made it back to the car at 11PM. It was Very pretty, but it was very not worth it. If the river is high enough though, it would make a very nice float trip.

MONTEZUMA CANYON

In the very southeast corner of Utah there are all kinds of spots like this. Montezuma canyon lies east of Blanding, and once you arrive you are free to explore as you please. What makes it so special is the abundance of Native artifacts, and ruins that remind us of the people who have called this area home for hundreds of years. Take your time and enjoy the complete solitude and quiet that you will find this far into the wild. This is also the kind of area where if you stay after the sun goes down, you will see the stars like never before.

CASSIDY ARCH

Another hike in a national park. This time Capitol Reef (my favorite). I’ll start with the spoiler, Cassidy Arch is one of the few arches that you are allowed, and encouraged to walk across. It makes for a pretty great picture. The hike is short, 3.1 miles round trip, but it is STEEP. a little over 650 feet of an elevation gain that occurs mostly in the first half of the hike. It is extremely well marked and maintained, but because you’re in the least visited national park in Utah, you still will be able to enjoy some solitude.

If you have the gear, and the know how, there is an incredible canyoneering route that begins by rappelling through the arch and down out of the canyon.

COYOTE GULCH

I had to include at least one overnight trip in this list. For that I go back to where I started in Escalante NM. About 30 miles down hole in the rock road you can find the easiest access point for the hike. There are actually 4 ways into the hike, if you have 4x4 go all the way to the last entrance. You’ll walk across the desert for a bit then descend an absolutely enormous sand dune into the canyon. From there simply start following the river upstream into one of the most dramatic and beautiful stretches of red rock canyon imaginable. as you head upstream coyote gulch will come from your left to join the Escalante River. Before you start exploring the gulch, it’s worth continuing up the main river for a moment to see Stevens Arch perched high above you on the canyon wall. It may not seem like it from your distant vantage point but it’s actually one of the largest in the world.

Once you start ascending coyote gulch the walls of the canyon get narrower, and the scenery get’s even better. Most people choose to make this a two or three day trip and hike it out and back, but it is possible to do it in one day if you turn around sooner.