Compared to the landscape everywhere else along the road, one can spot this elevated area of Red Breaks from several miles away.īesides hiking this alone, which one should never do, there are two other mistakes that some hikers make within the first ten minutes of the hike. As you were driving along Hole in the Rock Road, you may have noticed that your destination of Red Breaks takes you to an elevated plateau, wherein lies Red Breaks slot canyon. Since there is no official parking area at the trailhead, just pull into an open area amongst the willow trees before getting to the wash. Turn on your JavaScript to view content Hitting the Trail! (See the Google Map for this hike at the end of this post) I made it the trailhead in Dodge Charger, I just made sure to drive a little slower. This side road is usually passable by passenger car. Follow this side road for six miles to its end near Harris Wash.

Take Hole in the Rock Road southeast for 11 miles until you see the Harris Wash trailhead sign on the left. If you were to go straight instead of take the curve that would turn into Hole in the Rock Road. Follow Hwy 12 for five miles, and as the highway makes a left curve, the unpaved Hole in the Rock Road will be on the right side of the road. The road will head in a southeastern direction. What to bring? – packing checklist How to get there:įrom Escalante, Utah, take the main road, Highway 12, east through Escalante.

With that being said, watch and respect the weather report. However, the slot is narrow enough in several spots to chimney up and out of slot if necessary. Prone to flash floods? – Yes, prone to flash floods. No shade on cross-country hike to Big West Fork nor to Cosmic Ashtray Basic “chimney” climbing skills recommended Highest point of elevation on hike – 5906 feet at Panorama PointĮlevation Gain – approximately 1500 feet due to climbing in and out of deep washesĭifficulty – Moderate.

Red Breaks – Big West Fork Hike Detailsĭistance – 15 miles roundtrip, completed as a loop hikeĪpproximate hiking time – 8 to 10 hours, depending on how far in the slot you goĮlevation at Harris Wash Trailhead – 4970 feetĮlevation at mouth of Red Breaks Big West Fork – 5302 feet While this area is known for dozens of slot canyons, this one in particular, with all the long sections of narrows, numerous chockstones that require basic climbing skills, and overall length, rates as one of my favorite slot canyons I’ve ever done. The Big West Fork of Red Breaks, located off of Harris Wash, can be accessed from Hole in the Rock Road, east of Escalante, Utah, in Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument.

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