Cottonwood Canyon Road Scenic Backway
1 nap / 46 miles / 2 óra és 18 perc
The scenic backway runs for 46 miles traversing southward through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from Cannonville to Highway 89. The road is paved for 9 miles between Cannonville and the turnoff to Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Nap 1
The southern entrance is about 64 miles east of Kanab on US-89.
9:00 - 3.1 miles / 9 perc - 9:09
The upper Paria Rimrocks, known as the Hoodoo Forest, are accessed via informal trails that lead onto a secluded slickrock plateau filled with white, red, and yellow Entrada Sandstone spires, balanced hoodoos, and panoramic views over the Paria River Valley.
9:14 - 0.9 miles / 2 perc - 9:17
Overnight camping and backpacking in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, including along Cottonwood Canyon Road, require a free permit, that you can obtain at one of the visitor centers.
9:22 - 1.3 miles / 3 perc - 9:25
9:30 - 6.5 miles / 19 perc - 9:50
The Paria Box is a short, cliff-lined stretch of the Paria River, where it cuts through the upturned rock layers of the East Kaibab Monocline, also known as the Cockscomb. Easily accessed from the road, the hike crosses grassy flats and shallow river sections before climbing 400 feet to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Chinle badlands near the Paria ghost town.
9:55 - 2.6 miles / 7 perc - 10:03
The most spectacular stretch is the lower 1.5 miles, where the creek cuts through light-colored Navajo Sandstone in a narrow gorge with walls reaching 300 feet. Shaded by tall cottonwoods, the clear water winds through pools and cascades bordered by wildflowers, while canyon wrens echo through this beautiful example of Southwest riparian scenery.
10:08 - 1.1 miles / 3 perc - 10:11
Cottonwood Hoodoo via Goulding Trail
Starting at Cottonwood Hoodoo Campground, the trail follows the Goulding Trail and its bypass to a scenic viewpoint and photo spot overlooking the Cottonwood Hoodoos. Shade is limited.
10:16 - 9.2 miles / 27 perc - 10:44
Cottonwood Wash Narrows is a popular slot canyon with an entrance just beside the road. Its upper section cuts through Navajo sandstone, separated from the road by a thin strip of land. The canyon lies within the Coxcomb, a distinctive series of ridges formed by erosion of steeply folded rock layers.
10:49 - 1.0 miles / 2 perc - 10:52
The trail winds through colorful slot sections and dry riverbed.
10:57 - 17.5 miles / 52 perc - 11:49
Skutumpah Road winds through hills and valleys south to US-89 near Johnson Canyon, providing access to several fascinating slot canyons, including Willis Creek, Lick Wash, and Bull Valley Gorge.
11:54 - 2.9 miles / 8 perc - 12:03
The northern entrance is in Cannonville, following signs for Kodachrome Basin State Park.