Thanks, Ken, very glad to hear that. Keep on gettin’ out there.

GREAT VIDEO, OLDER HIKER, 73, MALE. YOUR SITE IS A MOTIVATION FOR THOSE OF US WHO “STILL WANT THOSE EXPERIENCES” THANKS.

KEN

You’re welcome, Kevin, and thanks, I’m glad you find my blog helpful. I hope you decide to Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories, including my planning tips and details available only to subscribers. Good luck with your GC trip planning.

I appreciate the reply. Gleaning lots of good information from your site. Very helpful gear reviews, trip articles and tips. Gives me more confidence to successfully plan and take on some of these longer hike adventures.

Hi Kevin,

The biggest difference between the Utah Flats Route and the Escalante Route is the latter is established, shown on maps, and largely marked by cairns and not difficult to navigate, whereas Utah Flats has a faint to non-existent footpath and staying on it is challenging. Its scrambling is also a bit more difficult than the Escalante Route, although the latter has a short cliff (you go up or down it depending on direction you’re hiking) that’s more exposed than anything on Utah Flats. Escalante you’ll run into other backpackers occasionally and possibly rafting parties on the river; Utah Flats you may see no one or just one other party will have a permit for it on your dates but far fewer people probably apply for a permit on it than the Escalante (or likely any trail in the canyon). Both have long stretches without water and the few sources are reliable.

Both are spectacular but there’s a good reason a longtime backcountry ranger told me the route he recommended to me that includes the Escalante is “the best backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon.”

Good luck planning your trip. If you’re interested, I can give you a personalized trip plan for the Grand Canyon. See my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how I can help you plan your trip. Or if you prefer to do it yourself, my e-guide “The Best Backpacking Trip in the Grand Canyon” will help you do that.

Thanks for the question.