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Hiking Forum
The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!
Stay in Mt. Carmel Jct., the heart of the parks, and visit
the treasures of the Southwest.
Mileage: Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument vacation
with our Utah and Arizona maps.
In these pages you will find insiders information on the best
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument hikes. This detailed
guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history,
fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information
on the Grand Staircase hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in Utah's national monuments. |
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Directions: East Zion to Staircase
From
Salt Lake City, travel south on I15 to U-20. Exit on U-20. Turn south on U-89
and follow U-89 to Glendale.
From Las Vegas: Travel I15 to exit 16. Follow U-9 to the south
entrance of Zion and through to the east entrance. Take U-9 for 12 miles to
Mt. Carmel Jct, where U-89 and U-9 meet. Drive north on U-89 to Glendale.
From Glendale, turn right on 300 N. (Bench Road) Follow the
graded dirt road, Skutumpah, into the Grand Staircase. Remember the Grand Staircase
is a wild and remote place. The dirt roads may be impassible when wet and there
is usually no water, services or cell phone access. Skutumpah is a backway and
should only be traveled in dry conditions. Call for road and weather information
before travel: 435.644.4680
Cottonwood
Canyon is a slot canyon that families and kids can enjoy together.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking
37°24.130 N
111°50.837 W
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Cottonwood Canyon Narrows
This slot canyon is located along Cottonwood Road in the GSENM. It will take about two hours to explore the wash and return back to your vehicle via the road.
Cottonwood Canyon at a Glance
Photo Album: Cottonwood
Canyon Pictures
Trail Maps: Cottonwood Canyon Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes
Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
Average Hiking Time: 2 hours
Equipment: Plenty of water, sturdy hiking shoes, hat
ACA
Canyon Rating: IA I
Difficulty: There is one easy initial downclimb that
might pose a problem for some, but it can be hiked around.
Permits:
Not required. Check the weather report
before hiking this trail. Do not hike if it looks like rain
Trailhead: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Trailend: Same as trailhead
Trail Access: Winter road conditions will deter
most hikers in the winter months. Cottonwood Canyon road is slippery in the winter
and impassible if there is snow or melting snow on the road. It is best to visit
the GSENM during the summer and fall.
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season: Whenever Cottonwood road is accessible.
Hazards: Check weather conditions
prior to the hike. Hiking in slot canyons presents a very real danger from flash
flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining. Remember a storm far off can
trigger a flash flood.
Cottonwood Canyon Trailhead
From Mount Carmel Junction, on the east side of Zion Park, drive through Kanab
then 32 miles on Highway 89. Look for the turn-off and BLM sign, between mile
markers 17 and 18, indicating the entrance into Cottonwood Canyon. The Paria
Contact Station is 2.2 miles east of the turnoff. The roads in the GSENM are
remote and most of them are dirt and clay. Cottonwood Road, like most of the
GSENM roads, is impassible when wet and impossible if there is snow or melting
snow present. Always bring a spare tire in the dirt wilderness roads and carry
lots of water. Be prepared for emergencies. A high clearance 4WD is nice on this
road, but it's not required in normal driving conditions.
To find Cottonwood Narrows or Cottonwood Creek, stay on the main road, ignoring the seldom used side roads. Park 25.5 miles from the turnoff from Highway 89 at the small pullout in a hollow between two passes. Identify the hollow with large multicolored red and white and red rocks on the east side of the road near the parking area.
Locate the trail on the west side of the road and climb down a short 8' scrambling section into the wash. Travel can be done to the right (up canyon) into a .25 mile section of narrows and then back down canyon.
Cottonwood Canyon
The upper narrows are short and very pretty and end just .25 mile up the wash. The lower canyon is wide at first, but narrows as the
hike continues. The sandy wash is strewn with boulders large and small and a
variety of vegetation is seen up high on the upper reaches and even bright yellow
flowers adorn the lower level. Cottonwood trees shade a few spots here and there
through the hike, but most of this hike is in full sun. Tall fluted walls offer
shade at certain times of the day. Water has polished and crafted the rock putting on
a nice show for hikers.
The slot turns at the towering blind arch and leads through one of the oddest
structures in the Grand Staircase, the cockscomb. It is hard to see at such
a close view, but after returning to your car take note. The trail will detour
to the left to avoid the large boulders before it widens and ends at the trail-box.
Be sure to watch for the trail of use that leaves the wash and goes to the road.
Sign the trail register and hike up to the road. It is about a mile back to your
vehicle.
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