Overview

Hype:

Head of the Rocks Overlook is located along Scenic Byway 12, Utah’s only All-American Road, between Bryce Canyon and Capital Reef National Parks in the northern heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The overlook affords expansive views out across the Escalante Canyons. Here colorful slickrock stretches almost as far as the eye can see. Interpretive signs provide information about the surrounding landscape, the history of the road that became Highway 12, and highlights of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument wilderness. Improved in 2012, the Overlook has an accessible ramp on each end. The parking area is paved and striped. It has 1 parking spot designated as accessible, with an access aisle for vans with a side lift or ramp for mobility devices. There is also a wide, striped no-parking zone in the middle of the parking area that could be used as an access aisle for mobility vans if the designated spot is taken. The width of the paved path along the overlook is generous, providing ample room for visitors. Three angled interpretive signs are built into the overlook’s wall at a height that is appropriate for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Cellphone reception may be spotty at the Overlook itself, but service is good about one-quarter mile to the west of the site.

Time:

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://www.blm.gov/visit/head-rocks-overlook-wayside#:~:text=Head%20of%20the%20Rocks%20Overlook%20provides%20expansive%20views%20out%20across,as%20the%20eye%20can%20see.

Location

Closest City or Region: Escalante, Utah

Coordinates: 37.746615, -111.453852

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May 2, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye,

Story

After work, I met Mark in Payson and carpooled with him down to the beginning on Hole in the Rock Road. We camped at the top so we could carpool down to the trailhead with everyone else in the morning. I rolled out my camping pad and slept on the ground. Except I didn't really sleep. I was extremely cold all night even though it was only 33 degrees outside. I could not get warm. I also had very severe stomach pain. It felt like acid reflux at first, but when I transitioned to the car to sleep sitting up, it didn't get any better. 

I ended up bailing from the backpacking trip. The plan for the trip was to backpack to the Baker Canyon area and visit 4 or so canyons over 4 days, returning on Sunday. I was scared that with how I was feeling, I would get down to base camp by the river and have to spend another miserable night in even colder weather and not have the stamina to do all the activities. So we moved Mark's gear to one of the other cars and I drove the 4 hours back home. It was a miserable drive. I threw up a few times right after getting home, and I crawled in bed and slept for most of the afternoon. 

The only thing I got out of the trip was a beautiful sunrise from the Head of the Rocks Wayside on my drive home.

 

Pictures