Great photos! The Grand Staircase is an awesome place to explore where you'll see few (if any) other vehicles.

There are tons of super cool slot canyons to explore all throughout that area. Two of my favorites are Spooky Gulch off Hole in the Rock, and Buckskin Gulch (which is between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT in the Paria Wilderness just south of Hwy 89A.) And of course, Antelope Canyon, about 2 miles east of Page, close to the power plant, is spectacular for photography.

If you guys want more details on dozens of slot canyons throughout AZ and UT, I highly recommend browsing through AmericanSouthwest.net.

Oh yes, one more thing- the view (and hike) down to Hole in the Rock is worth it.

Again, nice pics. It makes me want to go back.

 

Thanks for the link.

Just glancing through and you are right, tons of info on UT and other areas in the SW.

We'll be sure to use that as a source for planning our next trip. Really looking forward to getting to see many of the slot canyons in the area.

We only got the smallest taste this last trip.

 

I am so incredibly jealous.

 

wow thats some cool stuff there. ive always wanted to check out that area. someday, someday.

 

wow way cool! cant wait to get out there!!


peace

 

I am totally changing my trip plans to check out this area... I think....
Any other input would be grateful. I would love to do some several hour hikes into some of these slot canyons, especially any with a little water in them!

 

No one can see all of Utah, or even Escalante... in just four days. But you can definitely get an idea of what can be seen in that time.

EXPLORx4's link has pics of many of the Escalante slot canyons. Some descriptions will let you know if there is water. Lower Calf Creek is evidently along the water with a tall waterfall at the end. That's just N of Escalante town.

http://www.americansouthwest.net/

I think you would have a lot of fun in the Escalante area, either tracking down some of the places I have shown or searching out some of your own.

You really should try and drive the Devil's Backbone route from Escalante to Boulder and then back down to Escalante. An amazing route, maybe 5 hours. Easy 2 wheel drive dirt for many miles.

It would be possible to drive up Cottonwood Canyon road, get to Escalante, do the Devil's Backbone route, then head up to Bryce Canyon and even drop into the great expanse that is Zion... which is the visual pinnacle of Utah as far as awe inspiring scenery... in my opinion.

That would be a full four days... with lot's of miles between. If you had the time and where up for the adventure of 65 miles in the dirt alone, I'd drop back down from Escalante on the Smokey Mtn. Backroad for your route home. Allow 5 or 6 hours just for the dirt section. It would be an incredible way to finish off your trip... but that may just be to much to fit into 4 days.

Most of the roads and places I have mentioned will be found on a good, standard atlas of Utah.

If you PM me your E-Mail I can send you the *.kmz file of the route we took and you can check it out on Google Earth.

 

Wow, thanks for sharing Elvota. Makes me think it's time to make a trip south of the border soon.

 

FYI, that is a Lichen (pronounced "liken"). It is a symbiotic (benificial for both) relationship between a fungus and a cyanobacteria (photosythetic) or an Algae.

Nice picture! That is a very colorful one!

And thanks for sharing your pics....

 

Thats for sure. I spent a few days in Bryce and Zion last year
AMAZING, and I'm glad I'm not trying to fit it in!
Just outside of ZION
narrows
LOVE THAT PLACE.

I went to the wide world of maps today. What do you think about the GPS map software? I want to get something more detailed for the trip.

 

The best software I have found so far is the National Geographic state series. The catch... state by state has to be purchased. At around $90 per state, I only have AZ.

National Geographic also makes software for wider areas (like the Southwest) but the detail is not as good. Might be more than enough for most applications however.

I am still a newbie when it comes to GPS mapping and tracking... but having lot's of fun learning as I go.

 

Incredible, I've never been awhile that looked remotely like that.

I love it!

 

Spectacular! We have nothing to compare in the East. I would love to be able to pack up the truck and head out for several days of dirtroading and camping.

 

Wow, seems like a lot of people that didn't see it the first time around are loving your thread! Now that we're totally off topic... I saw those. I hate the "map creat software" that came with my GPS so I think that National Geo is the way to go... Lets see I need AZ, CA, CO, UT, BAJA.... Damnit thats a lot of money!!
I think I'll look into getting the south west and maybe the az detailed!

 

It's funny... when we were still driving in dirt on day three it really hit me how rare that is. Not only in the US but a good portion of the world. I like to think I don't take it for granted, but even a 1/2hour from my door I can hit endless roads that go on for miles without fences, private property or asphalt getting in the way.

Guess that's how I justify the amount of coin that goes into my rig.

The Southwest is a really great place for wheelin' and other endless outdoor adventures.

 

Great THX...ya know there should be some kinda ride share system, where people just had to fly to different parts of the country then hookup to use a trail rig there. ?

And part of the "fun" of wheelin is braken something "oh crap" then the survival mode kicks in and we smile with the ah ha moment