Escalante River - Day Five
The last two days of this trip are truly magnificent - especially if you haven't paddled all winter. The cobwebs are shaken out, the challenges of the water come smoothly, and the symphony that is this canyon is in its groove and built to its crescendo.
This last day, the most glorious for scenery, is one to truly savor.
Another of the best rapids. This might be another one of the U-Series, but I'm not sure.
This rapid, I believe in the vicinity of Beryl Creek, I propose calling it 'Upside Tom'. It is a double dog leg, and typical of 3 or 4 of Scorpion Canyon's toughest - insect bites, sans poison, if you will.
Why 'Upside Tom'?
Why indeed!
Near Stevens Canyon the river slows and widens. Coincidentally, or not, this is about where the full pool level is for Powell. This is only about two miles from the Coyote Gulch hike-out. The other take-out is via boat on Lake Powell. With Powell at a lowered level this somewhat spendy alternative does become more desirable.
(And possibly a great excuse to add a party/refrigerator food day to your canyon trip!)
According to river talk paddling this section was problematic right after the Lake lowered as the river channel was very broad and very soft - which required dragging boats across very muddy goop.
The goop has apparently washed out, and according to rangers the whitewater even picks up again. Note that pickups don't come to the very end of the Lake Powell pool. Marinas will have current information.
One final moment of relaxation.
And one final climax - the Stevens Arch, just above Coyote Gulch.
Douglas Tooley
