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Hiking/Camping - Upper and Lower Calf Creek Falls, Escalante 6/5-6/26


Itinerary:

Day 1

  • Carpool:

  • Trailhead: Lower Calf Creek Falls Campground, park at campsite (Corinna will be there early to get a good one) Meet at 1:30 pm

  • Hike Lower Falls - 2:30 pm - 7:00 pm

  • Set up camp and dinner - 7:00-8:30

  • Enjoy the campground - bring some games and relax

Day 2

  • Wake up and pack up camp around 8 am

  • Drive to Upper Falls Trailhead, meet at 9:30am

  • Hike to Upper Falls, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, play in the cold water

  • Back at trailhead by 12:30 pm

  • Lunch on the way home

  • Back to Utah County by 6 pm


Directions:


Cost: $15 per campsite, per night, $5 for single day use (if not camping), payable in cash/credit card at the trailhead; Need permit for Upper Falls Camping (see below - available at trailhead)


Activities:

Lower Calf Creek Falls - 6.1 mile total out and back hike. Clear, easy to follow dirt trail. It is a very open canyon with little danger of flash floods and plenty of access to higher ground. Takes 3-4 hrs. All Trails Trip Report


Upper Calf Creek Falls - short, steep 2 miles out and back trail. Can be hot this time of year - bring plenty of water or filter along the way. Use GPS for this trail as it can be tricky to follow. Great place for skinny dipping! Took about 2 1/2 hrs All Trails Trip Report


  • Bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks at the Lower Falls trailhead. None at the Upper Falls trailhead.

  • Cell reception may be available 10 minutes up the highway, out of the canyon along the highway.

  • Water - You can just fill up at the potable water spouts at the campground. We have filtered the water many times with no issues. Above the Upper Falls, and technically the whole creek, are actually natural springs. At the Upper Falls, there are deep pools where the water bubbles up from underground, crystal clear. If you're worried about filtering water, just use the camp spigots.


Tips:

The trail is hot and dry at this time of year. Hikers should bring plenty of water and a filter if they want to carry less. Lower Falls trail is clear and well-trafficked. Upper Falls can be trickier without GPS app like "Gaia".


Trail Conditions:

  • Very busy at this time of year, both lower and upper trails, however the campground was fairly empty and there were plenty of spots available at noon when we arrived

  • Hot hike to the Lower Falls on Day 1, took it slow, enjoyed the falls for a bit, and the water felt nice. The hike back was mostly shaded and much cooler.

  • Set up camp in the largest group spot - We were so excited it was available shortly after we got there in the coming! Did dinner and sat around chatting until we were all ready to fall asleep. Weather was perfect. Not too hot for sleeping, but no rain fly needed on any of our tents. Lots of stars.

  • Took our time getting up the next morning and packed up camp. We got to the Upper Falls trailhead by 9 am and headed down the hill. There was a breeze and kept us cool coming and going, but plenty of us still went swimming in the deep pool above the falls. Lots of other people, but a gorgeous day.


Gear: T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, fleece, puffy coat/hoodie, rain jacket, shorts or hiking pants, swimming suit, running shoes/hiking boots, sandals (for walking in the creek, optional), 2-3 L water, camelbak or regular backpack, 8-10 snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit, sleeping bag (must be rated to at least 20 degrees) (can rent), sleeping pad (can rent), tent (can rent or we can share), headlamp, pj's, toiletries, WAG bag (kitty litter in a zip lock bag for pooping at Upper Falls), camp stove and fuel (campfires are currently prohibited), lunch for hike on Day 1, dehydrated or backpacking meal for dinner Day 1, breakfast food for Saturday, card game or travel board game for Day 1 night (there are picnic tables at the campsites)


Rentals - (2 day) -

  • Tents (2 man - $13, 4 man - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 2 man - $14, 4 man - $18 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

  • Sleeping bags (0 degree - $22, 30 degree - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 0 degree - $14, 30 degree - $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

  • Sleeping pads (thermarest - $9 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; thermarest - $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

  • Stove with fuel ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

  • Mess kit ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

  • Backpacks (85 liter - $12 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 65 liter - $14 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)


Lower Calf Creek Falls


Upper Calf Creek Falls


Upper Falls Camping Permit (available at trailhead)


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