TKH
After cresting the cliffs to the west of Capitol Reef/Glen canyon National Recreation Area I had to find my way into Stevens Canyon by way of an unnamed canyon which in the long distance hike community has acquired the name “Exit” canyon. Hiking towards the West, for me it was the “Entry” canyon that would get me on level down so that I could connect to Stevens even further down. I had been to Stevens Canyon before, in fact some of the pictures are from my earlier visit, but the descent from the crest and the “Exit” canyon route were new to me. I had a few waypoints for the approximate location of critical features of the route, the rest I typically make up as I go.
I hope that you enjoy the pictures from one of the more remote areas in Southern Utah!
Cheer
Thomas
This is “Exit” canyon the way you first see it hiking East to West. Holy smokes, this does not look like an exit or entry at all! But rancher Baker got cattle out of there and others have come up or gone down this way, so there must be a way in. And of course there is.
Hidden from view is a weakness in the cliffs, maybe some 50ft in width, that allows you to get through the top sandstone layer. Some further improvisation informed by experience and intuition as well as trial and error then gets you into the drainage that you see slightly off-center to the left, right above the immediate foreground. You follow this drainage until you can climb out to the left onto a ledge that runs high above the drainage. The drainage has several massive dryfalls that you can only get past if you walk the ledge.
On The Road – TKH – Capitol Reef to Stevens Canyon-Part 2: Stevens canyonPost + Comments (22)