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| Hiking | 20.27 Miles |
3,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.27 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 3,000 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Utah in spring is a lot like Arizona in spring: unpredictable. We were prepared with lots of options and with a huge snowpack this winter and an unusually cool week for the end of April, we made some decisions on the fly and ended up choosing this as an overnight.
Day 1: BMT to Mamie Creek
11.40 mi, 1650aeg, 5:05
We set out from the upper trailhead and snaked our way across the various named benches, which seemed to have no defined start or end, while thoroughly enjoying the massive views this landscape provided.
Sand Creek was flowing nicely as we crossed and we found the thoroughly extinguished remains of a sheltered campfire from the very windy night before, which we later found to have been enjoyed by a group from Flagstaff.
The mile and a half from Slickrock Saddle Bench and down into Death Hollow is one of the most amazing stretches of "trail" that I've ever walked. The photos simply can't capture this amazing canyon cutting through this indescribable geology. It is quite simply an amazing place. 
Once in the hollow, we proceeded downstream, splashing in the water, stopping for an extended lunch break, and chatting with a couple groups we encountered. The water was chilly, but tolerable, and the poison ivy had not leafed out yet, so you could sort of pretend it wasn't there. 
After two miles in the creek, the BMT climbs out of the canyon on a steep ridge that gains 800 feet in a mile. This hurt a little bit at this point in our day, but as we gained elevation, the views into the canyon once again proved spectacular.
Two more miles dropped us into the Mamie Creek drainage, where a pair of more experienced ladies had just sat down at the prime campsite near the crossing. The water here was intermittent, with no real flow, and a little bit red with tannins. After a surprisingly unsuccessful search for another spot to camp we found something we made work just downstream of the first big pool below the crossing.
Day 1 Extra: Mamie Natural Bridge
1.90 mi, 150aeg, 1:05
After setting up camp and enjoying a happy hour beverage, we set off on a dayhike downstream to Mamie Natural Bridge. The creek was mostly dry with some scenic pools and travel was quick and easy. The bridge is a worthy destination even if you're not camping at Mamie. Back at camp we settled in for the night with typical fire, lights, food and libations.
Day 2: Mamie Creek to Escalante Town Trailhead
6.8 mi, 1200aeg, 2:50
In the morning we made no attempt to get started early and finally hit the trail around 8:30. It's mostly uphill for the first 3 miles and this stretch was some of the least exciting of the whole trip. There was ample sand which got a bit tiring on our feet after a while, especially the slog across Antone Flat, though there were some pools of water there. As we climbed higher we got into more slickrock and the views opened up again, with stunning views of the snowcapped Henrys 50 miles east, and to Navajo Mtn about 65 miles to the south.
At the four mile mark the descent toward Escalante began in earnest, and much like the route into Death Hollow, this was a marvel of route making and super enjoyable with huge views. There was one unexpected little climb and the drop down to Pine Creek was annoyingly bouldery. The day had warmed up a bit as we descended in elevation to the Escalante River valley bottom and the last mile and a half dragged on a little as we were hot and tired finishing up the trip.
Ryan and I dropped 9L off in town before setting off for the 30 minute drive to shuttle back to the trailhead.
This is a great route and the views are second-to-none almost the whole way. There's not a lot of shade (thus, the good views) so I think I'd avoid it too late in the spring or early in the fall since the heat and sun would make it rough. But we had it pretty good for our timing and I'm glad this is the choice we settled on. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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