Hiking | Escalante Cross Trail
Hype:
This 2.0 mile long up and back trail starts at Spanish Oaks Reservoir and ends at the Escalante Cross, also called Dominguez Hill Cross. The cross was erected in 1976 to commemorate the 1776 expedition of Fathers Dominguez and Escalante from New Mexico, the first white men to enter Utah Valley at this point.
Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)
Time: 1 hour
Length: 2.0 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 416 ft, -258 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 |
Navigate to 40.071135, -111.599061.
Park at the pavilion south of Spanish Oaks Reservoir.
From the parking area, follow the road south through the campground. The trailhead is at the end of the road.
At 0.2 miles (from the parking area), turn left at the junction. The junctioned is signed. Follow the arrows for Escalante Cross.
At 0.44 miles, turn left at the junction. The junctioned is signed. Follow the arrows for Escalante Cross. There is a bench here.
At 0.75 miles, you'll reach the highest point of the trail. This summit offers excellent views of Spanish Oaks Reservoir as well as Spanish Fork City. Contine straight to the Escalanted Cross.
At 1.0 miles, you'll reach Escalante Cross. Enjoy the view and the monument, then return the way you came.
Closest City or Region: Spanish Fork, Utah
Coordinates: 40.071804, -111.594872
By Jeremy Dye
Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Becca Miller,
For family home evening, we hiked up to the Escalante cross. Becca came with us. Cooper wanted to be first to touch the cross, but Madi also wanted to be first, so there were some disagreements. Tara said that they could both touch it together, but Cooper wasn't okay with that. So he threw a giant fit and went and cried under a tree for a while. Tara and the girls hiked down the normal trail. After Cooper settled down, we took the shortcut trail and beat them back to the cars.
By Jeremy Dye
Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Kiera Babb,
We were thinking of going up to the cabin for the weekend, but we ultimately ended up having an overnight party at our house instead. Madi and Savannah were sad that we weren't going to the cabin, so we decided to do a short hike to the cross instead. Dad, Mom, and I turned back before the final downhill section to the cross because Dad's joints were hurting him. Tara took the kids down the steep hillside route back to the car and picked up some pizza for dinner while the 3 of us took the longer, flatter trail back.
No Drinking Water
Monuments
Marked Trails
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
Viewpoint, Overlooks, Vistas
Wildflowers and Vegitation
Wildlife and Birding
