Overview

Hype:

This route (not a trail) takes backpackers from the Early Weed Bench trailhead to the Escalante River just below Twentyfive Mile Wash. The route requires skilled navigation but is relatively easy traveling.

Trail Condition: Class 0 (Trail is paved. No elevation gain.)

Time: 4 hours

Length: 6 miles one way

Elevation Gain: 760 ft / -1810 ft

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

Getting There

Navigate to 37.531406, -111.193580.

Park at the end of Early Weed Road. This is the (unsigned) Early Weed Bench trailhead.

Route

From the trailhead, hike northeast in a basically straight line until you reach the Escalante River.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Escalante, Utah

Coordinates: 37.531966, -111.192607

Interactive Guide Map

Download Guide Map

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May 12, 2023 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Luke Galyan, Tracy Kwan, Mark Burnham,

Logistics

Early Weed Bench: 8:00 a.m.

Escalante River: 12:00 p.m.

Start Packrafting: 1:15 p.m.

Explore Side Canyon: 3:00 p.m.

Finish Exploring Side Canyon and Start Packrafting: 6:00 p.m.

Story

We packed up camp and got our backpacking packs ready. There was one other guy camped at the trailhead, and he took a group picture for us as we were leaving. After struggling with a 62-pound pack on our Halls Creek backpacking and canyoneering trip this spring, I packed a lot lighter this time. My pack came in at 43 pounds, which was amazing considering that I was carrying a packraft, a wetsuit, canyoneering gear, camping gear, clothes, and food. We started hiking at 8:00 a.m. and hiked from the Weed Bench trailhead to the Escalante River in about 4 hours. We took a couple short breaks and didn't push too hard, but we didn't go slow either.

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Pictures