Grand Staircase Escalante in Winter?

Hello all,

 

Any tips on Grand Staircase-Escalante area in winter? I have 4 days during the beginning of January out of Vegas.

I was thinking of 2 nights in Springdale and 1 night at Bryce Canyon. However, I'm willing to change the mix if

the Grand Staircase area is worth exploring. I've never done the part between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, so I

know I'm missing a lot, but I'm not sure if it's worth doing during winter. My understanding is that the dirt

roads are all impassable in winter, so I'm assuming that any shooting will have to be near the main highway.

Louie, the roads through GSE are indeed impassable, even with a four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle, when they are wet -- at any time of year. If they are dry, you should be fine in winter. I'd call one of the ranger stations and ask for local road conditions, whenever you go. And most of the scenery -- the rock formations and slot canyons -- will be good any time. Perhaps even better in winter with long shadows. All you'll miss are the cottonwood (?) tress that are so pretty along the canyons in spring, summer and fall. Oh, and the heat.

I had fun one February going north on Cottonwood Canyon. The sign said impassable when wet but it had rained a couple of days earlier so, no problem, right? Well I crested a hill, and literally slid down to the bottom of a canyon about 2-300 feet, it may have been shorter. I thought of turning around but there was no place to do so so we forged ahead. I put the Durango in 4WD and many of the hills I couldn't climb until I made multiple passes at it. It is pretty scary to slide backwards down a hill with no control and a 100 foot canyon on one side. The speedo said 45 mph but our real speed was less than 2 mph at times due to the slippery Bentonite mud.

 

That said, have fun.

Hmmm, I'm leaning towards skipping GSE. If I was in my own 4Runner with my attendant recovery equipment and camping gear, I might chance it, but I'll be in a rental and traveling light. Are there good photo locations near the paved roads that might be worthwhile?

Hi Louie,

 

I have been in this area many times, unfortunately your time is very limited, and I'd recommend you do

Zion/Bryce as you have outlined. There are some interesting attractions between Bryce and Escalante

(notably Kodachrome State Park), but not enough to warrant a drive there and back.

 

However, there are TONS of opportunities between Escalante and Boulder (~40 miles I think), but I think

your time is going to be very short - maybe just drive it and take some reference shots? I also highly

recommend Laurent Martres books, lots of great info there. Let me know if I can be of any other help.

 

btw, the great folks here (www.naturephotographers.net) have a GREAT forum (Regional: RMNP) with

very friendly people offering great advice - highly encourage a post there as well!

Louie,

 

I'd agree with Paul in every respect here, as well as emphasizing the other posters' comments.

 

The Cottonwood Canyon Road and other roads into GSENM are not something to trifle with when wet; a nice warm day can turn frozen roads into an impassable morass.

 

Stick to Bryce (gorgeous in Winter) and Zion. If you really feel you need to hit up some part of GSENM during your trip, I'd suggest getting Laurent Martres' book on Utah and following the directions to the hoodoos along US-89. But really, the best parts of the monument are either reasonably far along the dirt roads or out of Escalante, and neither really sounds like it will fit your trip plans well.

 

Come on over to the RMNP.net forum as suggested by Paul if you want further details, we're more than happy to expound on our wonderful region!

Highway 12, between Escalante and Boulder, is fantastically scenic and has numerous photo opportunities within walking distance of the road.

 

If in the area, definitely tour the Burr Trail Road, heading east from Boulder. It's also gorgeous and is paved for most of the distance before turning to dirt (mud) as it approaches Capitol Reef.

 

Kodachrome Basin, just south of Cannonville, is pretty good. Accessable by paved road.

 

Hole-in-the-Rock road heads SE a few miles E of Escalante. It's dirt, but is much less mountainous than Cottonwood Canyon and may be passable in marginal conditions. It leads to Devil's Garden and a number of cool slot canyons. (Zebra, Spooky, Peek-a-Boo, Egypt, etc.)