Hype:

This is a great hidden gem, with an equally great approach. The dome itself is hollow with an island in the middle. Size is difficult to grasp from pictures, but imagine a pothole 25 m ( 83 ft ) deep, maybe 30 m ( 99 ft )+ across, with a 10 m ( 33 ft ) tall island in the middle. The bottom filled with sand dunes. Wild!

Trailhead:

Head east out of the town of Escalante about 9.5 miles on highway 12 until you reach mile post 70. The old Sheffield road goes off on the east side of the highway here, right on a bend. Follow the generally well maintained Old Sheffield road for 5.8 miles to a junction where the main road goes right (south), and a two track road goes straight. It appears BLM may close this road eventually. If closed, park at the junction. If the road is not closed, continue down the two track road 1.3 miles to a turn around spot near some slickrock and a lone cedar tree. The old road continues down a sandy hill.

Route:

From the lone cedar, follow the old road down a sandy hill about 10 minutes until it trends left away from the big sandstone cliff on your right. Leave the track and follow the base of the cliff about an hour until around the point. As you follow the cliff, it becomes lower and the steep walls give way to gentle slickrock slabs. This section has amazing views into the Escalante river canyon area.

Once around the point, head south staying at the base of the low angle slickrock slabs, with a large dome on your left. A large dome will be in view to the south (and a little west). Islomania Dome is at the base of the larger dome on the east side. It should take 30-40 minutes from the point to the dome. You will likely notice the old road near the dome. It appears to be the closed road that used to approach from Red Breaks.


Return the way you came.

Optional Loop: Instead of returning the way you came, you can make a bit of a loop. To do this, climb up the slabs north of the dome, and work your way down and up the semi-deep side canyon on the other side. If good route finding is used, it should stay 3rd class. Once across this side canyon, head a little north and cross another shallow canyon and a divide into a 3rd canyon. Once in the third canyon, head upstream to the top of the canyon and descend slickrock back to the base of the cliffs you followed on the approach. The area above Islomania is a slickrock paradise with many neat domes, rocks, and features. Highly recommended.

Photos:

Maps:

Download map(s): Map 1

My History:

In the winter of 2008, Cristina and I hiked around looking for the infamous dome. We were not disappointed when we finally found it!

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