Slickrock is composed of the sand that was laid down millions of years ago and cemented in place over time. The area of the Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument, which millions of years ago looked like the Sahara Desert, is now covered with the Navajo Sandstone. Erosion of this stone has left a landscape that offers plentiful opportunities to hike, explore and discover.

Erosion is nature’s artist.  Erosion slowly sculpts the the slickrock to form spectacular canyons, hoodoos and bowls.  Erosion architecturally designs grand arches, bridges and overhangs.  Erosion plays with the palate of colors in the stone to create enormous tapestries.  As we hike through the  Navajo sandstone  we will enter the gallery of erosion’s masterpieces.

Erosion also lays bare the history of the rock.  Looking at a sandstone wall allows us to “track” the events of time.  We can read the stories of millions of years in the layers on the sandstone walls.  As we stand at the base of a wall we stand in wonder at the history before us.  We are given the time to ponder and to gain perspective of our own lives.

Water, water everywhere, yet none to be seen.  Water, a necessity for life on earth, is scarce in the desert.  It is possible to walk very close to water and not even know it is there.  Water however gives clues to its existence and following these clues is rewarded with beautiful gems called tinajas or water pockets.  These tinajas are a world unto themselves with their own ecosystems.  As we wander across the slickrock we will discover these clues that lead us to the exploration of these mysterious tinajas.  The tenacity of life surrounding these will inspire us.  Our explorations will show who was at the watering hole at this day’s dawn, a mouse, a coyote or possibly a mountain lion.

Water was also critical to the humans that inhabited the desert.   As we traverse the sandstone we may find tools used by these people – stone flakes, stone points, or grinding tools, known as manos and metates.  We may also find cliff structures built by these people and rock art created by these people.  We will take the time to contemplate the lives of the prehistoric inhabitants that put their art on the stone.

We will also see first hand the tenacity of the more recent inhabitants – the old west cowboys – who carved cattle trails, and built line shacks to allow themselves  a meager existance in this spectacular land.  We will also discover  old roads and telegraph lines that provided them contact with the outside world.  The stories of the inhabitants are waiting to be found.

The Slickrock Hikes are much more than just a hike over vast expanses of stone.  They are journeys through time.  We have several slickrock hikes available to enjoy.  

                                                                                              

Best Times  

                                                                                              

These hikes are quite pleasant in the spring and in the fall before the temperatures start to soar, though a few of these hikes will also work well as an early morning hike.

                                                                                              

Day Hike Reservations

                                                                                              

To start the conversation regarding hikes that interest you and reserve dates …

~ ~

                                                                                              

Need Help Planning

Your Adventure to

the Escalante Canyons?

                                                                                              

Planning of an adventure is all part of the fun of the adventure. I enjoy helping folks put together the pieces of their journey to the Escalante Canyons, whether planning a hike with me, deciding on hikes that may be self-guided, determining drive times between points of interest or trying to determine good restaurants and lodging in the area.

I’ve put together some pages on this website to help in your planning …

… and if you want to talk with me directly, I am happy to help.

                                                                                              

This Year,

Let’s Get Some

Southern Utah

Canyon Country Time!