This is the first part from a quick November trip down to Grand Staircase-Escalante. You can find the second part outlining the hike from Little Death Hollow to Wolverine Canyon, here. 

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After loading up the Forester in time to get a jump on the I-15 traffic, Hux and I snuck out and headed south. The weekend's goal was Escalante, but we decided to shoot for an overnight spot in Dixie National Forest, where we would be able to grab a good night's sleep and hit our trail in the morning. 

A few podcasts later and the sun began to set. The open desert of central Utah soon gave way to a misty forest as we climbed up a winding pass. We took a left turn on an unmarked road and found a perfect clearing to pass out for a few hours.

After coffee, a reheated breakfast burrito and a few photos, we packed up and hit the road. Driving down the wooded pass, we were quickly struck by the beauty of Utah Scenic Byway 12, (also known as "A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway").  Incredible vistas and rock formations demanded frequent pullouts, and it wasn't until around 2:00 PM that we finally parked the car and hit the trail.

The first part of our point-to-point hike began in Round Valley Draw, a narrow slot canyon off Cottonwood Canyon Road in the southern part of Escalante. Based on trip report beta, I knew the hardest part of this mission would be a small technical down-climb in the first half mile of the trail. Unsure of how large or technical the slot really was, I made sure to pack Ruffwear booties and an old climbing rope in case I had to lower Hux. 

We locked the car and hoped for the best as we hiked toward the slot. A few moments later we found the entrance to Round Valley Draw in all its' ominous splendor. Despite some initial resistance, paws were dressed in booties and Hux was ready for the makeshift rappel. He crushed it, and we pushed on.

A few miles later, we were out of Round Valley Draw and into Hackberry Canyon. Big, beautiful walls rose around us as we hiked south along the dry riverbed. The map and information I'd printed out before our trek prepared us for the fact that the first ten miles would be dry. This meant camping and cooking without water, which is a real challenge (especially in the desert). Fortunately, temperatures were moderate and we made sure to pace our water intake as we trekked down Hackberry.

Our light was waning quickly due to our casual start, so we decided to search for a place to catch some shut-eye. A few moments later, we came across an incredible alcove with high walls and amazing colors. Mac-and-cheese was served, Bulleit was nipped and a deep sleep was welcomed.

The next morning we awoke to perfect desert stillness, as I quickly packed up the tent. Without water for coffee, there really wasn't a need to linger around camp.

A few miles into the morning the sand beneath us began to thicken. We knew water was close.

The once-dry riverbed began filling with more and more water as we walked along its' shores. The general trail jumped across the stream as we meandered through the silent canyon. Eventually, the path of least resistance (and bushwhacking) required the removal of shoes.

We walked down Hackberry Canyon for miles without seeing a single person. Apparently, it was a canyon that tour busses left off their itineraries, which was a mind-blowing notion. Grand Staircase-Escalante truely is that large and rugged.

Eventually, silence broke as the sound of voices drifted up the canyon and I realized our hike was about to end. I also remembered the stressful reality that I had tried to forget: we didn't have a shuttle for our point-to-point trek. Because of our late start and lack of planning, we still needed to hitch a ride 17 miles up the road and back to the car.

We reached the trailhead, patted ourselves on the backs for a job well done, and immediately went to work trying to look presentable. Unfortunately, our trailhead was lightly traveled, and we didn't see a single car for the first hour. Odds were not in our favor.

After an hour and a half of waiting, a few hikers and their dogs returned to their car up the road. Realizing this was one of the only chances I would have, I bothered them for a ride. They apologized, telling me that their car was full and that they were heading in the opposite direction. As I walked back to a tied up Huxley in the shade, they yelled across the road. "Fuck it, get in." A polite 'are you sure?' was exchanged before we took them up on their incredible offer and headed back to the car. Thank you, wonderful people, for making our hike perfect.