Colorado Map

Request Free Visitor Guides

Phipps Wash

Basics
Setting:
Desert Canyon
Length:
1.5 miles
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Time:
Less than an hour

Description

Phipps Wash is an excellent choice for hikers who want to experience Grand Staircase without trekking too far from a paved road. This hike is far from lengthy or strenuous, but the noise of traffic, always slight on UT 12, is completely silenced by the canyon's two mile distance from the pavement. You'll pull off UT 12, then slip down between a gap in the cliffs into a barren side channel of the wash, penetrating into the main canyon soon after.

The canyon's terrain is varied within its walls. You'll trek from the sandy drainage chute over slick-rock, and then the walls will turn steep and tall and red. A little further, and you'll be in the flood plain of the Escalante River, the bare red walls clothed in desert bush. You'll walk past flowers and cacti both. You'll find a stream practically under foot.

The big attraction of the hike, though, is Phipps Arch, a rock formation 100 feet wide that you'll have to detour for about a third of a mile to see. Another large rock formation, if 20 feet instead of 100, is shady Maverick Natural Bridge. This is easier to reach from the main wash.

Details

Setting:
Desert Canyon
Length:
1.5 miles
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Time:
Less than an hour
Camping Info
Camping available

Map + Directions


Copyright © 1997 - 2024 The Go Travel Sites. All Rights Reserved and.

Email Page Link

Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. You can send yourself an email as well. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. See our full Privacy Policy for details.
:
:
:
 
 
 
:
Copy Yourself on the Email Yes No
:
:

1

Select one or more Free Visitor Guides below

2

Complete the form to receive your guides by mail

Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Boulder Mountain. More Visitor Guides are available in Colorado. Click here to view them all!

Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country
Central UtahThis area of southern Utah has a diversity of landscape like no other area in the state - red rock formations and canyons, pristine meadows, alpine forests, as well as lush green valleys. That landscape makes Capitol Reef Country perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATV tours, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, or just a quiet picnic!
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Bryce Canyon Country Bryce Canyon Country Bryce Canyon Country
Southern UtahBryce Canyon Country is home to several scenically diverse state/national parks. Visitors will want to spend at least a few days exploring this spectacular part of Utah.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated
StatewideWith five national parks and more than 40 state parks, Utah offers a wealth of outdoor activities for families & adventurers alike. Order your free Travel Guide today.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Ski Utah Ski Utah Ski Utah
Utah
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.