Escalante Slot Loop: Bull Valley Gorge and Willis Creek

Dogs Off-leash

Features Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

What really makes this loop special is the Bull Valley Gorge Route. This is a spectacular slot canyon that makes this loop what it is. The rest of the loop goes through lovely, but less spectacular canyons along Sheep Creek and then up Willis Creek Narrows Trail. There are still plenty of narrows and alcoves to explore for most of the way.

Bull Valley Gorge can be daunting and is not without risk. Once beyond this stretch it is an easy trail, but the first half to three-quarters of a mile will require some skill, strength, and patience. A rope is not required but would decrease risk if you know how to use it for descents, as would going with a partner.

This loop starts by parking at the Willis Creek Narrows Trail. This is a surprisingly busy trailhead given the remoteness of the location. From this TH, leave your car and hike 1.8 miles down the road to Bull Valley Gorge. It is marked by a sign and you'll know it when the bridge is reached. Stand on the bridge to marvel at the abyss into which you're about to descend. Then backtrack to before crossing the bridge and look for the trail that follows the gorge upstream to allow access down into the slot.

Once on the creekbed, the trail/wash quickly drops below the rim, and the walls close in around you. Navigating and climbing is required, though most are manageable, with trees frequently acting as convenient ladders.

This is an ominous and awe-inspiring stretch. The walls are worn smooth and the sky is a tiny sliver above your head, often filled with boulders (near the bridge, make sure you look up to see the car that is stuck up there. That was someone's really bad day).

The turn-around for most people who do this as an out-and-back is a large boulder, backfilled with sand and stone, and a 8ish foot drop on the downstream side with no real easy way to descend. There is a tree on the left side but it is down a ways and worn smooth. This can be navigated by descending slowly backward, using your spiderman/spiderwoman skills, and getting your foot on the top of that tree/branch. From there you can get down and there are no additional major obstacles.

Below that point the canyon moves from "slot" to "narrows" and remains spectacular but looses much of its pucker factor. It eventually begins to open up into a canyon with steep walls. The type you expect in Escalante. The footing can be frustrating as it is simply loose sand most of the time. The canyon closes tight one more time and when it opens up again it merges with Sheep Creek.

When this wash reaches Sheep Creek and Sheep Creek Trail, take a left and head upstream. At the time I went through there was a large blue "Willis Creek" painted on a boulder to help guide the way.

The footing gets better in Sheep Creek. This is the standard wash in Escalante with high walls, but not the tightness you get in the narrows. It is a beautiful stretch and the terrain is impressive. After a little over 4 miles, you'll reach the mouth of Willis Creek. Take a left to head up Willis Creek Narrows Trail.

It is quite possible that up until this trail junction, you've seen nobody. That's likely to change quickly. Willis Creek Narrows Trail is a popular and easy (popular because it's easy) trail and you'll likely start meeting people quickly. The footing here is even better and it is easy to make good time. The canyon walls do close to narrows and provide quite a stunning final stretch.

There is a "waterfall", that is pretty minimal unless water is strongly flowing. If it is, check it out. After the waterfall (there is a way around it both to the right and the left but the way on the left is easier) it is a quick return to your vehicle at the parking area.