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A moderate climb or descent through loose sand with a narrow 20-yard stretch through the "crack" at the top.


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Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.2

KM

Point to Point

4,273' 1,302 m

High

3,854' 1,175 m

Low

59' 18 m

Up

419' 128 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Commonly Backpacked · Views

Need to Know

Top "crack" section has some minor exposure for anyone sensitive to heights. This section is also very narrow and can pose a challenge for larger visitors.

Description

This trail provides access to/from the Escalante River. It drops from the undulating flat slick rock of the Fortymile Ridge Trail down a loose sand dune. It's much easier going down than up and can get unbearably hot depending on the time of day and season.

There can be lots of user/game trails, when in doubt follow the signage or the main, widest path through the sand.

Backpackers should note that the "crack" in the wall can make it impossible to pass with backpacks on. As a solution, many visitors use a rope to hoist or drop their packs. You'll see a worn groove in the rock where ropes have passed through. There are lots of Youtube videos that show the area in question.

Contacts

Shared By:

Caitlin Zupancic with improvements by Zander Göpfert

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#29658

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#911

in Utah

#29,658

Overall
15 Views Last Month
1,687 Since Jun 8, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

View from atop the nearby Crack in the Wall.
Jun 11, 2017 near Escalante, UT
Heading into the canyon.
Feb 13, 2020 near Escalante, UT
This was an epic start to a trail! We also saw a number of Air Force jets (Including a blackbird!) fly past at we entered the canyon. Note: if you follow the trail north, way finding gets a little tricky. if you get to steep smooth rock, turn around.
Feb 13, 2020 near Escalante, UT

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