Reflection Canyon, UT

History
In its April 2006 issue, National Geographic ran an article on Glen Canyon, featuring a foldout photo of what is now generally accepted as "Reflection Canyon". It's uncertain where the name came from, but thanks to Nat Geo, the name is now all but set in stone. Reflection Canyon is an absurdly sinuous side canyon off of Lake Powell, west of the Escalante River, and roughly across from Navajo Mountain. The article was meant to call attention to the lowering water levels in the lake, but as it so happens, Reflection Canyon is actually considered to be more scenic in low water. When the lake is full, the curves manifest themselves as a couple of rocks sticking up out of the water. An aerial photo of Reflection Canyon was also featured as one of Microsoft Windows' Spotlight images in 2016 or so.


Hike
The first part of the adventure is getting to the trailhead. It's a minimum of an hour and 45 minutes from Escalante, down Hole in the Rock Road - but that's with a high clearance vehicle; most vehicles will need well over two hours. There is no official trailhead, nor an official trail, and the only indication of the trail is a "no motorized vehicles" post 20 feet or so off the road. Because the trailhead is in a slickrock area, it's easy to find an ecologically harmless place to park.The trail itself is unmarked, but easy to follow when not on slickrock. On the slickrock, you can't really count on cairns to lead you in the right direction, so GPS is very helpful, especially the last 2.5 miles or so.

In the first quarter mile, there is one slickrock section. Head up and towards Fiftymile Point, and you should find the trail. After this, the trail is relatively easy to follow, though there are several spots where the trail splits for a while before merging later. You should generally be following a plateau above slickrock, and below Fiftymile Bench.

As long as you're on a trail, you'll eventually end up at the top of the descent down to Reflection Canyon. This stretch lasts for five miles or so, with no major elevation gains or losses, but several climbs in and out of washes, and the views are phenomenal the whole way.

A little over 5.5 miles in, you'll reach the slickrock. There are a few cairns here indicating where you can start your descent, or you can stay high a little longer, and roughly follow the ridge down. Trying to follow cairns will likely be fruitless, however, and GPS will be your easiest means of navigation. It's a little slower going, but a lot of fun, and as beautiful as one can expect from a sea of sandstone.

The route ends at an overlook where the famous photo was taken, well above the water. There is no easy access to the water from here.

When you're ready to head back to the trailhead, you can go back the way you came, or take a different path back up the slickrock. There are no rules.

Water Sources
There are no reliable water sources along this route, despite the fact that it ends at a lake. If there has been recent rain, water may be found in potholes the last 2.5 miles.

Camping
Reflection Canyon is a relatively popular backpacking destination in the spring, with most people spending a single night near the overlook. Because the area is all slickrock, a free-standing tent is required, and you should plan on packing in all water you need. A free permit is required for overnight use, which can be obtained at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center or kiosks along Hole in the Rock Road.

Dispersed camping is plentiful along Hole in the Rock Road.

2024-03-29 ShatteredArm