Capitol Reef & Grand Staircase-Escalante – Spring

“A terrific trip with great people!” Evelyn P.

Grand Staircase-Escalante & Capitol Reef National Park Tours

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, created in 1996, is a vast expanse of public land that includes three distinct areas: Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon. The cliffs and terraces of the Grand Staircase, the rugged Kaiparowits Plateau and the wondrous Escalante River Canyons are combined to preserve a diverse geologic treasure. When linked to the adjoining Capitol Reef National Park, which protects the 100 mile monocline of the Waterpocket Fold, you’ll find a territory presenting a hiking and photography experience of a lifetime. This area was one of the last places in our country to be mapped due to the rugged remoteness. Cliffs, monoliths, slot canyons, natural bridges, domes, petroglyphs and arches can all be found on the trails that we will explore.  Even so, we will see only a small portion of this immense wilderness.

Preservation of the National Monument

The boundaries, and indeed the creation of the monument, have been controversial from the start. The Fremont and ancestral Puebloans lived peacefully in the area, taking shelter in the rocks and farming in the canyons. Then came the white man, seeking to forge a passage through the labyrinth, and then to claim the wealth of its resources. The remoteness of the area provided some protection, and by presidential proclamation, a large portion was declared a National Monument in 1996. But the peculiarities of Utah law made claims of control over the area contentious between agencies and political parties, and to this day there are those who wish to reduce protections of this magnificent monument.  We explore the area while respecting and working to maintain its wild status. See Detailed Itinerary here, or contact us for more information! Timberline Adventures offers guided hike and bike tours across the U.S. and Canada, and our experts across the country are ready to guide you in your outdoor experience.