Hiking Trips in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

The canyons of the Escalante River offer many fascinating trips. The Escalante is rugged country with no formal trail system. Hikers should be experienced in the use of map and compass and thoroughly familiar with the techniques of canyon and slickrock hiking. Maps and other information are available at the Interagency Visitor Information Center in the town of Escalante. Always consult with a ranger at the Information Center for route information, trail and weather conditions, and other necessary information needed for a safe trip.

Harris Wash

Maps: USGS Silver Falls Bench and Red Breaks 7.5 minute quadrangles.

Trailhead: Follow the Hole-in-the-Rock road south from Highway 12 about 10.5 miles to the signed junction, then 6.5 miles on a fair road to the signed trailhead and hiker registration box.

Hiking Distance: From Harris Wash trailhead to the Escalante River - 10 miles (one way).

Water Availability: A perennial stream flows in Harris Wash. Generally, seeps and springs are of insufficient flow to provide usable quantities of water.

Hiking Conditions: Harris Wash is an easy hike with no technical difficulties. The stream must be continually crossed or waded. Wear appropriate shoes.

Harris Wash offers an excellent opportunity to see a streamcourse develop from a broad, sandy wash to a deeply-entrenched canyon. A minimum of two days should be spent exploring Harris Wash. Begin the hike from the trailhead by walking downstream in the wash bottom. Do not cross the wash and continue on the road, for it leads only to an abandoned drill pad.

About 3.5 miles downstream, the creek passes through a narrow notch. To the north of the notch is an abandoned stream meander, known as a rincon, which was created when the stream cut through and straightened its course. To the south is a brushy side canyon which comes to a pouroff about one-third of a mile up.

Harris Wash continues its winding course 7 miles to the Escalante River. Two more side canyons enter the wash from the south, and, though brushy, can provide interesting exploring opportunities. As the canyon nears the Escalante River, high cliff walls soar, streaked with magnificent patterns of desert varnish. The lower three miles of Harris Wash exhibit the scale and grandeur typical of the canyons of the Escalante.

Once you reach the Escalante River, you can continue upstream about one-third mile to the stark, dry, extremely beautiful Silver Falls Creek, which enters from the east. You may wish to spend a day exploring this extraordinary canyon which derived its name from the great streaks of desert varnish which drape the canyon's walls. Silver Falls Creek is generally dry, so carry all the water you may need.