A Hiking Adventure in Utah

Throughout the Utah area, just north of the Arizona border sits a small town settled in the late 1800’s called Kanab.

Kanab, like so much of Utah hosts primarily a Mormon population and a number of Latter Day Saints churches.

The Kanab area also provides a central location from which any number of epic hikes and/or drives can be accomplished.

One can drive north out of Kanab and eventually make their way to either Zion National Park to the west or head further north through the Dixie National Forest, up the Grand Staircase and into Bryce Canyon National Park.

One can drive south and eventually stand at the North Rim of the epic Grand Canyon.

Two roads lead eastward from the city. Hwy 89 which takes one through the Coyote Buttes area all the way to Page AZ, home of Horseshoe Bend and the Glen Canyon Dam and there is then 89a. To access the 89a you have to drive a short distance south of Kanab and then turn east once you meet it.

89a runs along the entire Vermillion Cliff National Monument. A drive like few others. This drive is one of my personal favorites in the nation. There are plenty of places to “boondock” or “dispersed” camp along the way. These two highways, 89 and 89a eventually converge again in Page, AZ.

When traveling along 89, you will see, along the way, various dirt roads. Any number of these dirt roads, that do not lead onto private property, likely will lead you into a land of epic hikes replete with photographic options.

Today’s post takes us to one such location.

About 40 miles outside of Kanab (everything in this area is a long way away…you get used to drives to access anything) is a road heading north called Cottonwood Canyon road. This road begins at 89 and heads north, should you take it there, all the way to Bryce Canyon. Although I doubt I would drive to such a length using this roadway. The road is dirt and the red clay so common out here. It’s moderately rough but easily doable in a standard car. At least to the trailhead to which we went to hike to our next destination, Yellow Rock. (I would not recommend you attempt the drive after a snowfall or rain for at least a few days or if rain is in the forecast. You will end up stuck if the roads are wet)

Once turning north onto Cottonwood Canyon Road, you will drive approximately another 22 miles or so before arriving at the trailhead parking for the hike to Yellow Rock.

The Yellow Rock hike is not marked and you will not likely find it discussed much in any popular circles.

I found it through a blogging/traveling couple who touted it as an alternative to “The Wave” hike. (I do not agree with them in their assessment, however, I would put this formation into a class of it’s own). I have done The Wave hike as well. Totally different experience.

Should you look for the hike to Yellow Rock, you will note the mapping app you use will likely take you to or show you what is called Lower Hackberry Canyon Trailhead. If you make it here, you have gone just a tad too far. The trailhead parking you will want to use will instead be back a bit. Heading toward the location it will be on your right driving north. If you pass it and get to the Lower Hackberry Canyon Trailhead parking, heading back south, it will be on your left. It’s simply an open parking lot with a dirt road leading into a small canyon.

Across the street once parked is the the Cottonwood creek as well as significant levels of brush leading along the creek bed.

The “trail” if you want to call it that, is almost directly across the creek when looking at the rock formations. You will simply need to “whack” you way through about 15 yards of brush and low growth to get to the opening leading to the trail. I would recommend you find the trail on your hiking app, be that Gaia GPS like what I use, Alltrails or any other type direction/hike planner.

From there, you should know, the trek up and over the initial climb is steep and has a significant amount of loose rock/gravel. It’s not super long, but it has quite an angle/incline.

It is my recommendation you do not attempt this hike without trekking poles. You are going to need them here both on the way up and on the way back down. Once you have scaled this location, on the top of the ridgeline, you are going to be treated to views that rival those which I have experienced in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. You will also from here easily ID the Yellow Rock. The formation is enormous. To quote Jacob yelling down to us after he and Levi scaled the ascent, “Yep, I see a big ass yellow rock”.

The face of the rock itself is slickrock. Don’t let that mislead you. It’s far from slick. It is very “sticky” and “grippy”. There’s no slipping happening while scaling any such rock.

Once you’ve made it over this ridge, it remains up to you whether or not you wish to scale the rock itself. Should you choose to do so, the views across the other side, particularly north, are absolutely stunning.

The scale and size of this rock are nearly incomprehensible when on top. In the photos I have included, I have circled Jacob and Levi who where walking the top of the rock while Joelle and I were sitting eating our lunch (also circled). If you are able, and can zoom in on that circle, you will see us. This will help you to gauge the scope and size of this beast.

Take a lunch, pack plenty of water, enjoy yourself up there.

The likelihood of running into anyone else while there is slim to none. You probably will have cell service while on top of Yellow Rock, but in the valley leading up, it will be sketchy. I would make sure you have a safe way to communicate outside to the world should an accident occur.

Upon your return, take your time and exercise extreme care and caution on that final descent down the front side of the rocks. If you take your time, it’s an easy (slow) hike down. Even if you have to “butt slide” it all the way down.

If heights and drop offs are bothersome, you may want to pass on this one. There area few spots along the initial hike up and over the rocks that are cliff edge and not for the faint of heart. This is not “Angles Landing” scary, but if you are averse to heights and long drop offs, you will have difficulty navigating this one; particularly on your way down.

All told, Joelle tells me here stepping app clocked it at around 6.5 miles or so there and back.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

rob out

PS Click on any photo to see the full size version