Upper Calf Creek Falls |

Escalante

Hiking Upper Calf Creek Falls - Escalante Hiking Upper Calf Creek Falls

Escalante

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking
MAPS: CALF CREEK, UT

Fri

Partly sunny. High near 55, with temperatures falling to around 53 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 16 mph.

55 | 37

Sat

A chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southwest wind 6 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

54 | 36

Sun

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

46 | 34

Mon

A chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

48 | 28

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 56.

56 | 32

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, no snow
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Flowing at the falls.

Fri

Partly sunny. High near 55, with temperatures falling to around 53 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 16 mph.

55 | 37

Sat

A chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southwest wind 6 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

54 | 36

Sun

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

46 | 34

Mon

A chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

48 | 28

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 56.

56 | 32

View Full Weather Details
Great pools at the top of the falls.

Great pools at the top of the falls.

Although Lower Calf Creek Falls gets most of the press, Upper Calf Creek Falls is my favorite. Less crowded, with plenty of charm and scenery, this is a great place to spend a hot day lounging. For the bold, there are a few smaller falls above the main falls that can be jumped. For the timid, just spending a hot day next to the cool babbling stream will be excitement enough.

Beware, the hike in and out are in full sun. Avoid hiking in or (especially) out during the hottest parts of the day in the summer.

Views from near the top of the falls.

Views from near the top of the falls.

Getting There

The trailhead is right off of highway 12. The easiest way to find it is to start from the Calf Creek Campground turnoff, and travel north on Highway 12. After 5.6 miles, there is a short side road on the left (west) side of the road. This is just after mile post 81 and signed Upper Calf Creek Trailhead. Follow this short side road to its end and the trailhead.

Upper Calf Creek Falls

Upper Calf Creek Falls

Upper Calf Creek Falls - Escalante

Upper Calf Creek Falls - Escalante

Route

From the parking area, go past the trailhead register, and head down the well cairned trail. It begins on relatively steep slickrock as it quickly descends and becomes more gradual. About 30 minutes from the car, near the bottom of the canyon, the trail contours around the corner and the falls become visible. A cairned side trail just before the falls descends slick rock and visits the base of the falls. Beware, the base of the falls has quite a bit of poison ivy around. Staying on the main trail visits the falls.

There are serveral pools and an excellent slickrock area at the falls to hang out at and have lunch. Just a minute up from the falls, hidden behind a tree, is a small cascade/falls and deep pool.

Return the way you came. Hiking time is about 30 minutes down, and 30-60 minutes back up depending on energy level and heatt.


Maps

Route / 2.56 miles / Elevation Range 5,959 - 6,516 ft.
Printable Maps:
Trailhead

12S 461497mE 4190300mN

N37° 51' 34" W111° 26' 16"

Jct To Falls Bottom

12S 460335mE 4189789mN

N37° 51' 17" W111° 27' 03"

Upper Falls

12S 460235mE 4189837mN

N37° 51' 18" W111° 27' 07"

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