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A trip with a view by PaleoRob Overview Alstrom Point provides one of the most memorable, scenic, and widely photographed views of Lake Powell. While the actual hiking at the point is limited, half of the enjoyment of this location is the trip to get there. Warning Alstrom Point is very remote. Although you can see the city of Page, it will take you between 1.5 to 3 hours to get there. There is no gas along the way. Water is not available except in Wahweap Creek, just outside of Bigwater, which flows muddy. The road is primarily on the Tropic Shale, which can turn to a mud bog after rain or snow. The last mile or two into Alstrom Point is over rough slickrock and not well marked in places. Hike From the parking area, wander around the rim. There are beautiful views of Navajo Mountain, the Kaiparowitz Powell and Lake Powell. Be aware that the cliffs may be undercut, so do not get too close to the rim. Spend time wandering and taking in the views. In April and May the wildflowers, such as Indian Paintbrush and Lupine, are in bloom. In the summer you can have fantastic views of storms sweeping across Navajo Mountain. Be careful not to disturb the cryptobiotic soil that abounds in some places. When you are done exploring, return to your vehicle. Most people spend most of their time at Alstrom Point looking out, and not hiking, so expect to cover less than a mile. The exception to this is if you have a lower-clearance vehicle. You can park your vehicle at the first large slickrock area and hike the remaining mile and a half to Alstrom Point. Water Sources None. Camping Dispersed camping locations are plentiful, especially along the 350/Alstrom Point road. Remember to pack out whatever you pack in. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Alstrom Point
Escalante National Monument Trip
Friday: Drove up from the valley and met up with some Flagstaff friends at my "top secret" sandstone slab campsite, near the Glen Canyon dam for what I will describe as a craft beer festival... 
Saturday: The wind was crazy and we had to postpone our plans to paddle into Antelope Canyon. On short notice, we opted for Waterholes Canyon. This was my second time there. It's an easy and enjoyable slot canyon (on the non-technical, upper portion). One of the guys in our group is into canyoneering and has done the technical section. Sounds interesting to connect with the CR and pack-raft out. Next time
I noticed that there were new ladders in place since I first hiked this in 2014, when summer rains had flooded out the ladder system. It made scrambling a little more manageable.
Stopped by Horseshoe on our way back into Page. The crowds make me frustrated and when I take friends there now, I leave my camera behind. Anyone know if it has only been crowded since the birth of social media? Or have there always been throngs of tour busses?
Drove out to Alstrom Point. Stopped to checkout Wahweap Creek, which was flowing well, and Warm Creek, which was also flowing! (I was excited to see this intermittent stream going
). This drive is just incredible. And driving over the slickrock for the last two miles before the reaching the Point was the highlight. We spent the night here, overlooking the impaired and impounded Colorado River. The view from Alstrom is incredible. This is one of the more epic places I have camped. Definitely worth the long drive.
Sunday: Left the Alstrom Point at 6 a.m., in time to make an early start from the Antelope Point boat ramp. This was my second time paddling into Antelope. Definitely a special place. There's a side canyon that heads to the east, about a mile's walk from the current shoreline. Have any of you HAZ'ers made it all the way to the end of this side canyon? Both times I have encountered some significant pools that I wasn't really in the mood to swim.
Drove back Sunday afternoon with an absolutely mandatory stop at Diablo Burger in Flag.
Good times!
Saturday: The wind was crazy and we had to postpone our plans to paddle into Antelope Canyon. On short notice, we opted for Waterholes Canyon. This was my second time there. It's an easy and enjoyable slot canyon (on the non-technical, upper portion). One of the guys in our group is into canyoneering and has done the technical section. Sounds interesting to connect with the CR and pack-raft out. Next time
I noticed that there were new ladders in place since I first hiked this in 2014, when summer rains had flooded out the ladder system. It made scrambling a little more manageable.
Stopped by Horseshoe on our way back into Page. The crowds make me frustrated and when I take friends there now, I leave my camera behind. Anyone know if it has only been crowded since the birth of social media? Or have there always been throngs of tour busses?
Drove out to Alstrom Point. Stopped to checkout Wahweap Creek, which was flowing well, and Warm Creek, which was also flowing! (I was excited to see this intermittent stream going
). This drive is just incredible. And driving over the slickrock for the last two miles before the reaching the Point was the highlight. We spent the night here, overlooking the impaired and impounded Colorado River. The view from Alstrom is incredible. This is one of the more epic places I have camped. Definitely worth the long drive.
Sunday: Left the Alstrom Point at 6 a.m., in time to make an early start from the Antelope Point boat ramp. This was my second time paddling into Antelope. Definitely a special place. There's a side canyon that heads to the east, about a mile's walk from the current shoreline. Have any of you HAZ'ers made it all the way to the end of this side canyon? Both times I have encountered some significant pools that I wasn't really in the mood to swim.
Drove back Sunday afternoon with an absolutely mandatory stop at Diablo Burger in Flag.
Good times!
2016-05-21 arizona_water
Alstrom Point
I'm classifying this as a "Sky Dive" because there isn't a "flight" option. Went up in my buddy's Challenger II and flew around the lake and the desert. A beautiful morning to be up and about - the light was perfect, the air was perfect, and the temperature was perfect. I hope to do some more flying with him soon.
2010-10-16 PaleoRob
Alstrom Point
An Oldie, But A Goodie...
(04/28/2005)
This trip holds a special place in my heart. To experience views like this for the first time was truly unforgettable. The plan was to camp one night on Alstrom Point and then work our way out onto the Grand Bench. Grand Bench did not happen by the way. We were denied access in Little Valley Canyon. I wanted out there so bad!
The weather was terrible when we reached Alstrom Point and only got worse as time went on. The trip was not starting out good. We waited out the storm from within the truck. The gusts were approaching 40 mph on the mesa with pelting sand. I nervously watched my tent get pounded by the relentless wind sitting precariously on the edge of a cliff. Ha! I remember thinking to myself that my expedition-type tent was supposedly rated to handle very high wind. I guess we'll find out just how good it is. Some of the gusts were trying real hard to squish it completely flat and blow it right off the cliff. Besides holding it by hand during some of the more violent gusts, I can actually say that it survived the onslaught. Luckily I chose to bring my heavy-duty tent stakes!
I was so bummed out that I wasn't going to experience Alstrom Point in all its glory. Late evening was quickly approaching. From the northwest, we could see a line of clear sky heading our way. Within about thirty minutes, the storm blew completely over the top of us and settled in over the Navajo Mountain area to the east. The timing was unbelievable! The wind completely stopped, the lighting was awesome, and the storm stayed in the background until dark. I will never forget how cool it was to be out there when that happened. That was a day that I will never forget. We had a great night of sleep and woke up to a perfect morning. What an incredible place to sit and enjoy your morning coffee.
Thanks for posting this destination, Rob! I found the write-up just today while researching something else in the area. Going through my old photos and reliving the experience brought back some great memories!
Eric (ssk44)
(04/28/2005)
This trip holds a special place in my heart. To experience views like this for the first time was truly unforgettable. The plan was to camp one night on Alstrom Point and then work our way out onto the Grand Bench. Grand Bench did not happen by the way. We were denied access in Little Valley Canyon. I wanted out there so bad!
The weather was terrible when we reached Alstrom Point and only got worse as time went on. The trip was not starting out good. We waited out the storm from within the truck. The gusts were approaching 40 mph on the mesa with pelting sand. I nervously watched my tent get pounded by the relentless wind sitting precariously on the edge of a cliff. Ha! I remember thinking to myself that my expedition-type tent was supposedly rated to handle very high wind. I guess we'll find out just how good it is. Some of the gusts were trying real hard to squish it completely flat and blow it right off the cliff. Besides holding it by hand during some of the more violent gusts, I can actually say that it survived the onslaught. Luckily I chose to bring my heavy-duty tent stakes!
I was so bummed out that I wasn't going to experience Alstrom Point in all its glory. Late evening was quickly approaching. From the northwest, we could see a line of clear sky heading our way. Within about thirty minutes, the storm blew completely over the top of us and settled in over the Navajo Mountain area to the east. The timing was unbelievable! The wind completely stopped, the lighting was awesome, and the storm stayed in the background until dark. I will never forget how cool it was to be out there when that happened. That was a day that I will never forget. We had a great night of sleep and woke up to a perfect morning. What an incredible place to sit and enjoy your morning coffee.
Thanks for posting this destination, Rob! I found the write-up just today while researching something else in the area. Going through my old photos and reliving the experience brought back some great memories!
Eric (ssk44)
2005-04-28 ssk44
