Cautions in the Backcountry
Visitor information
from
The Boulder Business Alliance
Roads
Most roads in the area are unpaved and maintained intermittently. Many are rough, rocky, and have areas of deep sand. High clearance vehicles are a must and 4wd may be required in some areas. Bad weather can also leave roads impassable for several days so carry warm clothing, food, water, and gasoline.
Some roads have a clay surface which becomes very slippery when wet. Avoid driving on any dirt road if rain is in the forecast. Keep your speed down and watch for sections of heavy washboard which can jar you to the bone and shake your car off the road. Enter sharp curves with caution.
Weather
Summer temperatures can climb to over 100 degrees, and winter temperatures can drop below zero. Carry plenty of water in the warm months and layer warm clothing in the colder months. Flash flooding can occur anytime between May and September.
Be alert and pay attention to the weather. Be aware that river levels can rise rapidly and can make crossings dangerous or impossible. Do not try to cross during high water and do not drive through flooded wash bottoms.
Hiking Routes
Due to the rugged nature of the Escalante Basin there are few marked or maintained trails. Route finding and orienteering skills are often required and a good sense of direction is needed. Always carry a good topo map and compass and know how to use them. If you are new to the the area and can't read a map then stick to the easier routes. Visit the Escalante Ranger Station in Escalante town for further guidance.
Dangerous Critters
Rattlesnakes and scorpions are the only poisonous creatures in the Escalante. Although rare, you still may encounter one or the other. Always watch where you are stepping and don't reach blindly around rocks while climbing or scrambling, or setting up camp.
Scorpions are less common and not as deadly as their more southern neighbors. Shake out your shoes before putting them on and be aware of them under your ground cloth. Most of the other bugs burrow into the sand during the heat of the day and come out at night. Biting flies are present from June through mid August and can be a real pain. They usually only bite while you are moving, and wearing long pants keeps them at bay.
Permits
Mandatory backcountry permits are required before any overnight trip. They are available at the Escalante Ranger Station and at several trailhead locations. Group size is limited to 12 people.
Fires
Open fires are prohibited in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area and are discouraged elsewhere. Use cookstoves to reduce human impact. Fires are unnecessary and leave ugly scars. If you must build a fire, go to a developed campground.
Human Waste and Garbage
Bury all human waste at least 8 inches deep and at least 300 feet away from any water source. Burn all toilet paper completely or carry it out in plastic bags. Do not defecate under overhangs or inside alcoves. Rain water never enters these areas which is essential for decomposition. Increasing use of the area and the acts of an irresponsible few may eventually mandate that all human waste be carried out of the backcountry. Treat the area with respect.
Food leftovers and all garbage must be carried out. Do not dump garbage on the ground or over vegetation. Do not wash dishes in streams or pools, and do not use soap near any water source. Leave the area better that you found it! Things like used match sticks and bits of candy wrappers must be picked up before breaking camp.
Pets
Pets must be on a leash at all times in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area and in control at all times elsewhere. Dogs do not do well in the desert heat and spread disease to native species. Leave them home.
Natural and Cultural Resources
Do not deface any tree, shrub, rock, or ancient Indian artifact. Do not touch petroglyphs or remove any artifact found at a cultural sight. Not only is this illegal but it erases evidence of past generations and deprives society of the knowledge about these sites. Do not enter or climb on any Indian ruins.
E-Mail: info@boulderutah.com
The Boulder Business Alliance | Boulder Utah 84716 | www.boulderutah.com
