Little Death Hollow is a slot canyon in the northeast corner of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an area called the Circle Cliffs. Not to be confused with "Death Hollow" near Boulder, UT, Little Death Hollow offers a 4 mile slot canyon that, when dry, offers few obstacles, and beautiful high red sandstone cliffs which deepens and narrows as you continue down canyon.
Reflection Canyon is a side canyon of Lake Powell that was first brought to the public's attention when National Geographic photographer, Michael Melford, took an amazing photo of this canyon and wrote the article, Glen Canyon Revealed. Since then, Reflection Canyon has slowly become popular over the years as a "must see" location for photographers, backpackers, and hikers looking to explore this secluded area.
Driving Hole-in-the-Rock Road: What to Expect on This Historic Route
Hole-in-the-Rock Road is a rugged, 62-mile dirt road that runs from Escalante, Utah, to the actual Hole-in-the-Rock on the western edge of Lake Powell. This remote road traces the route of the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition of 1879, when Mormon pioneers carved a trail through the sandstone to eventually settle in Bluff, Utah. Today, this route traverses sections of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and BLM-managed land.
Today's Guest Post is brought to you by Mitch Stevens, the founder and lead guide of Southwest Discoveries.
These trips of a lifetime will challenge you physically and engross you spiritually, leaving an unforgettable and enduring impression of the richest wild places on the planet. The southwest contains literally thousands of amazing hikes. Therefore, we decided to separate the wheat from the chaff and give you the absolute cream of the crop. We rounded up 7 of the grandest adventures in the southwest, treks we have experienced firsthand.
Backpacking the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range of Wyoming should be on every backpackers "to do" list. The rugged terrain offers massive mountains with spire towers, clear glacial lakes, high alpine grassland & wildflowers, and world class hiking, backpacking, and climbing. The Cirque of the Towers is truly a pristine and special place.
Backpacking Rock Creek Basin – High Uinta Wilderness, Utah
Rock Creek Basin is one of the most stunning and remote areas in the High Uinta Wilderness. Tucked between Rocky Sea Pass and Dead Horse Pass, reaching this alpine paradise requires at least a 9-mile hike, depending on your chosen trailhead.
Coyote Gulch, located in Southern Utah, is one of the most iconic and scenic canyons within the Escalante River drainage. Known for its towering red rock walls, natural arches, natural bridges, petroglyphs, cascading waterfalls, and stunning desert beauty, Coyote Gulch is a must-see for any Utah hiker or backpacker.
While some adventurous hikers complete the loop in a day, I highly recommend planning at least one night of backpacking—ideally two—to fully appreciate the canyon’s breathtaking features, cool stream crossings, and dramatic rock formations.
Hiking to Ribbon Falls from Bright Angel Campground – Grand Canyon Backpacking
On Day 2 of our Grand Canyon backpacking trip, we woke up at 5 a.m. to begin our day hike to Ribbon Falls, located about 6 miles from Bright Angel Campground along the North Kaibab Trail. Despite the steady rain all day, the conditions made Ribbon Falls even more stunning, with mist and flowing water enhancing the dramatic scenery.
Ribbon Falls stands approximately 140 feet tall and features a unique travertine spire formed by mineral-rich water over time. Water flows down into two distinct pools—one at the base and another about halfway up the formation, roughly 50 feet above ground. While swimming is allowed here, the chilly 45°F temperatures and constant rain made that a no-go for us!
You can hike beneath and around the waterfall, offering an incredible up-close view. Although reaching Ribbon Falls requires careful planning and a valid Grand Canyon backcountry permit, the 2.5-hour hike from Bright Angel Campground is absolutely worth it.
Backpacking the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park
Backpacking the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) had been one of my top bucket list goals for years. I first visited the Grand Canyon about six years ago, but I wasn’t able to hike below the rim because I had my dog with me (note: dogs are not allowed below the rim). While I could enjoy the scenic overlooks, I never got a true sense of just how deep, wide, and awe-inspiring the canyon really is. I knew I had to return—this time, to explore it from within.