… The route is long, rough and remote — the trailhead from Escalante, Utah takes 2 to 3 hours to get to during periods of good weather — and you still have to navigate 8-9 miles off-trail through fully-exposed sand and sage brush, across slickrock, and up and down rutted desert ravines.
Don’t be fooled by the name either. This long, exposed hike is not really through a canyon …
Quick Facts
- Distance: 16-18 miles out-and-back (26-29 km)
- Days Needed: 2 days
- Peak Elevation: 4,466 ft.
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,234 ft.
- Best Travel Time: Late March to May and September to October
- Permits: Required (see below)
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Highlights
- A stunning final vista
- Beautiful sunrises and sunsets
- Fabulous photo opps
- Solitude, expect to see few other backpackers
- Star-studded night sky
- You can take your dog
We’ve added Reflection Canyon to our list of best hikes in North America.
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