Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

After spending the entire day exploring two national parks, it was time to set out for our hotel in Boulder, Utah. The only way in and out of the small town was Highway 12, which is a destination in itself. From Boulder, the scenic route travels through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which consists of almost 2 million acres of pristine rock canyons, mountains and high desert plateaus.

But first, we had to climb the long, curvy road over a mountain pass. As we gained elevation, the evergreens turned to bare aspen groves that had already lost their fall leaves. We soon reached a clearing that gave us an incredible view of the sunset over the valley below. We proceeded with caution, avoiding the deer and cows grazing by the side of the road.

David and I didn’t really have any expectations going into Boulder. It was such a small town; we only thought of it as a brief stop along the way. But that quickly changed the second we pulled up to our hotel. The Boulder Mountain Lodge ended up being a beautiful rustic escape in the mountains. Our room was so cozy, with a large balcony overlooking a lake. And next door was a James Beard semi-finalist restaurant. After a full day of hiking, it was nice to end the day with an amazing meal, and treat our weary legs to a dip in the lodge’s hot tub under the stars.

After three jam-packed days, it was time for a much needed break. We enjoyed a leisurely morning in Boulder before resuming our journey west through the Grand Staircase, ending at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Hogback Ridge offered grand views of the Grand Staircase’s multicolored rocky cliffs. On either side of the road were steep drop-offs into narrow canyons and sprawling desert. There was also a trail of glowing yellow trees perfectly outlining the river. 

Per usual, David and I had to squeeze in a hike. Lower Calf Creek Falls was a 6-mile roundtrip trail that followed the creek through a canyon to the 126-foot waterfall. The trailhead started in a gorgeous campground full of oak trees with perfectly shaped yellow and orange leaves. The path was relatively flat, but traveled through deep sand almost the entire way, making it a bit more challenging than expected. But reaching the mini oasis made the trek worth it. The waterfall cascaded down bright mineral-stained sandstone. And the cool mist from the water and shade from the towering cliffs were a welcomed refuge from the sunny canyon floor. 

Back at the campground, David fished Calf Creek while I made sandwiches at a nearby picnic table. We saw the rest of the national monument, driving through the beautiful layers of landscape that gave Grand Staircase its name; rock cliffs striped with different hues of red, gray mounds of slick rock, and endless fields of scrubs and juniper trees. The park encompasses some truly remarkable and unique terrain, and we hope it continues to be protected.