Hole In the Rock 2.0

​This is a long, but worthwhile, day to see where the Mormons traversed a nearly 1200' cliff wall to cross the Colorado River.

Plan on 3 - 3 1/2 hours one way from Escalante.  Most of the trail is rated GP with only the last 5 miles rising to a 2.0 rating.  There are times the road has EXTREME washboarding, and it may take you even longer if you try to go slow.

There is a GPS - gpx track file at the bottom of the page.
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Hole In the Rock

​The road runs under 50 Mile Mountain for much of it's length.  It is a very long bluff.

​​​Be prepared to wait if ranchers are moving their cattle from one grazing allotment to another.  Three cowboys and a dog were moving a couple hundred head.

50 Mile Mountain from the south

This is cattle country

Ranching technology has changed over the years.  At one time there was a motorized pump drawing water into an open cattle tank.  That probably replaced a windmill.  Now there is a solar powered pump feeding plastic basins.

​You will see a road sign pointing to Chimney Rock.

Changing technology

Chimney Rock

The smooth floor, sheltering alcove and natural acoustics of Dance Hall Rock made a great amphitheatre for fiddle music and dancing.

Dance Hall Rock

With dancers!

Walk around the right side to the back where you will find a way to walk up on top of the rock.  There are a half dozen natural bowls up there.  Very unusual.

Biggest bowl

One of the other bowls

There are many washes to cross.  These areas are generally rockier with exposed ledges, making travel slower.  The last 5 miles of the road is the majority of the 2.0 rating.

One of many washes to cross

Hole In the Rock visible on horizon.

FINALLY, you will come to the end.

Lake Powell is a long way down

Down a short distance looking back up

Updated 2017.

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