Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

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The formations of Bryce Canyon are already part of the Grand Staircase as I learned from this very helpful illustration I later found at an information center.



Technically I was now on my way to the next step of the staircase. I had been following Podunk Creek which flows out of Bryce Canyon and carries the sediment from the highest step of the staircase with it. When I entered Lick Wash at lower elevation, I could clearly see the two colors side by side as the sediment from the Podunk coated part of the surface of the wash.


Podunk Creek Sediment


Lick Wash isn’t a true slot canyon, but it has a few picturesque narrow sections. The formations in this area clearly show the colors of the second step of the staircase.


Lick Wash


Leaving Lick Wash I encountered the interesting Lefevre Cabin. 


Lefevre Cabin


Parts of it were destroyed, but there was still a kitchen with a stove, a semi-intact bedroom and lots of old scribblings on the wall, some from the 80s and 90s. 


Kitchen


I found an old piece of newspaper, but couldn’t find a date with a year.


Just missed it…


I kept on walking down the staircase, although this stretch had deep sand and didn’t necessarily feel like a downhill walk. I saw parts of the White Cliffs hiking around the impressive No Man’s Mesa.


No Man’s Mesa


The following day the weather turned rainy again. I had a long walk on a dirt road towards the Vermillion Cliffs, the next step down the Grand Staircase.


The Long Road


After the road walk I entered Buckskin Wash, one of the longest canyons in the world. I camped on an elevated plateau in a beautiful section of the wash. I had not seen a single hiker all of that day.


Upper Buckskin Wash


I followed the meandering wash most of the following day. There were additional access points and it became a little livelier with a few day hikers. The colors also gradually changed to red tones as I was getting close to the Vermillion Cliffs.


Buckskin Wash


In the afternoon I found a nice perch overlooking a bend in the canyon and set up camp there. I was high enough to be protected in case of a flash flood in this narrow section of the wash.

Then I set out for a side trip to the Coyote Buttes, specifically one feature that was called The Wave. I had to enter a lottery to be allowed to visit this place and was really excited. I entered this area through a narrow slot canyon, called Wire Pass.


Wire Pass Slot (from above)


The next section of the hike went across miles of solid red rock. Despite the popularity of the hike, nobody else was on the trail, as it was getting late.


Coyote Buttes Trail


I reached the Wave about an hour before sunset. I don’t think the pictures will do it justice. A true highlight of my hike!


The Wave


It got dark on the way back, but I didn’t teally care. I had a dinner under the stars just before crossing Wire Pass again (now in complete darkness) and getting back to my tent.


Never Gets Old


The following day I would finally cross the state border and start the Arizona National Scenic Trail. That will take me to the lowest step of the Grand Staircase, but arguably the most impressive: The Grand Canyon

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