HDT Day 46: Beamer Trail to Escalante Trail

Daily Miles: 11.9, Total Miles: 622.8

Sleeping next to Lava Rapids was more than white noise – more like a freight train. But I still slept well.

I got an early start and continued downriver on the Beamer Trail. The next river access point was Tanner Rapids, where I filtered another liter of water. As I was leaving, I heard my name being called from the middle of the river and people waving from a raft. My new friends and guides from the Tulane group – I yelled TULANE ROCKS! and that got a special cheer.

I now joined the Escalante Trail and started climbing high above the river, especially along Cardenas Canyon.

I reached the Escalante drainage in the afternoon and slowly descended, almost back to the Colorado River. I found a small spring in the drainage and stocked up.

Another climb got me alongside the Seventyfive Mile slot canyon. Followed this upstream until I could drop down into the slot to the Colorado River. I wish it was that straightforward. I took a wrong trail in this process and went an extra few miles I can’t count.

I camped again next to the river, just downstream from the Seventyfive Mile Rapids. I messaged Mrs. Haze and asked nicely if she could pick me up from the South Rim. Weird feeling – I guess it’s official now.