If you're searching for a trip report on the Little Death Hollow Wolverine Canyon Loop featuring a Bernese Mountain Dog, you've come to the right place.

On the third day of our long weekend in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Hux and I were faced with several decisions. Do we make the two-hour drive to Wolverine Canyon Loop road and begin backpacking into camp? The day's hike had taken longer than expected and time was looking questionable. Do we scrap that area entirely and opt for a mellow Sunday hike? Or, do we head out there to car camp, wake up early, and attempt the twenty-mile day hike that connects Little Death Hollow and Wolverine Canyons? There were plenty of variables to consider, including Huxley's ability to log that many canyon miles in a short amount of time, the technicality of the slots, the five-hour drive back to Salt Lake and overall fatigue. After almost bailing, I made the decision that we would give the big hike a go. After a quick resupply on beer, firewood and gas, we were off to the trailhead.

We found a great little campsite a half mile from the Little Death Hollow trailhead, where we celebrated our days accomplished mileage with pasta, dog food and refreshments. We woke with the late sun (7:15 a.m.) and quickly packed camera gear, snacks and water before hitting the trail.

Mileage beta and specific details on the route can be found here, so I'll try not to regurgitate too much. Instead, here's a photo account of the trip.

As you leave the trailhead an obvious path takes you through the low grass and sage toward the "U" in the valley. It's easy to follow as you head up, over and along a dry stream bed until you hit a fork a few miles in. As mentioned in the SummitPost link above, as long as you keep right at every possible turn, you'll make it back. Easy.

The sandstone walls begin to grow as the canyon gets tighter and tighter (mile 3). There's enough water running along the bed here that you could filter, but we BYOB-ed courtesy of Huxley's backpack. 

Four miles from the trailhead you begin to enter the slot canyon. It's ridiculous and just goes and goes. At times it opens up and you think the fun is over, then you you get another serving. This lasts for five miles, and is pretty non-technical.

There were a few areas with large drops that I had to hoist Huxley over. Fortunately I expected this, which is why I made him wear his nice backpack and brought a 12-foot rope and some Ruffwear booties.

After about nine miles you pop out of the canyon and end up on Horse Wash. You turn right here and follow the Cottonwoods and a forest service road for a few miles before turning (right) again at the mouth of Wolverine Canyon.

This canyon is very different than the first. It's much wider, but has some amazing walls, alcoves and petrified wood.  Hux and I hoofed it through Wolverine, and after about six miles, ended up back at the road we came in on (again, turning right at every fork). After a quick walk down the road we were back at the car by 3:00 p.m., exhausted and grinning from ear to ear.

This loop is incredible and recommended to anyone looking to get off the beaten path and into some tight, non-technical slot canyons. Plus, big dogs welcome.