Dress in layers irrespective of weather so you can add or remove layers as temperature rises and drops. In the summer months of June-August, the desert is very hot, but it can feel 25 degrees cooler in the canyon. Weather changes very quickly in the canyons – between times of the day, water action, shade, etc.

Be absolutely sure to check your weather app and ask the ranger for rain forecast in the region.

Some people use Outlandish iPhone app to see camping spots, trail markers etc on the dirt roads.Important Apps for Hiking in Utah’s Slot Canyonsĭownload, setup, and test all the apps you need before heading out to the trailhead. Be sure to practice before you head into the wilderness in Utah. Hint – the functionality was very different from what we had imagined.

This gave a good sense of the All Trails functionality without signal. We practiced hiking with locally downloaded maps at parks near home, with cellular connectivity turned off. We bought the professional version of the All Trails app. Have a clear and well-rehearsed plan for navigating the wilderness. But, everything looks the same in this vast wilderness, and it is easy to miss the cairns.ĭo not get lost. Some trails are marked by cairns (1-3 feet tall stacks of rock) and branches. You can easily get lost in the 1M+ acres of land for days or even forever. Get offline maps for navigating the trails because most trails have no signs. A well cushioned drive will help you arrive in style and comfort. Many of the trails require several miles of drive on dirt road like Hole-in-the-Rock road or Burr Trail.

For some hikes you’ll need an All Wheel Drive (AWD), especially for wet or snow covered roads. Navigate to and in Utah’s Wilderness Right Vehicle to Driveĭrive an SUV or high-clearance vehicle. There are many outfitters in Escalante, you can find one that works great for you. We got a lot of help from Jeff of the Desert Dawn before our trip. If you’re going with a guide, they will provide you all the information needed for a great time. It’ll be more fun and relaxing knowing that things are taken care of. But if you’re new to hiking canyons, join a trained professional or a group hike. We’ve compiled this information from personal experience and research to help you plan your slot canyon hikes in Utah.

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