Baker canyon from the Neon/Fence area is a LONG LONG ways away. The standard approach involves river walking the Escalante nearly to the mouth and the ascending a weakness in the cliff band. We were looking to shave off time so we gambled on a cross country route I had scoped on Google Earth.
Leave river approximately at: N37° 35′ 21.9″ W111° 09′ 19.8″
Turns out it worked…and shaved off a considerable amount of bush-whacking. The only hitch: There is a moderately challenging cliff band near the top that must be descended. Mild exposure at worst.
Walkdown through cliff band at: N37° 36′ 11.1″ W111° 07′ 45.9″
There was sensitive desert that had to be crossed but by in large it was easy enough to link minor drainages to avoid the crypto.
It was clear that we werent the first people to have this idea as we found a lone cairn…but anyways…here it is. Enjoy!
Ram
There is a stock trail that follows the height of land between the Egypt canyons and the Escalante River just down the first hiill from the Egypt trail head. It comes down to the river down stream of your arrow that says Escalante river, just before the big southern bend. At that bend the stock trail travels up the north side of the river and makes for an easy passage up to the west side of West Baker. When adding the Bakers to Kaleidoscope and Neon, we incorporate the overland route with the river to create a loop and have used it both ways. For those that have not been, going up the overland the first time works easier. West Baker is short enough to do the day you move camp to that big southern bend. Saving a full day for East Baker is prudent. Hint: all beta’d descriptions of these canyon miss an awful lot of goods
Erik B.
PM???? I’m always down for a show, dont tell type of secret.
Erik B.
Now that’s some canyon wisdom…