Cottonwood Narrows To Hackberry Canyon•Grand Staircase-Escalante

00:00     Title
00:05     Cannonville To Kodachrome Rd
01:50     South To Grosvenor Arch
09:25     South To Cottonwood Narrows
12:45     Primitive Camping
13.35     Cottonwood Narrows To Hackberry Canyon
22:14     Paria River Wetlands To Hwy 89
29:30     Fin

Hackberry Canyon is a prime time Grand Staircase-Escalante destination that is perfect for hikers and climbers. Cottonwood Creek actually runs through this narrow solid rock canyon on the way downhill to the Paria River and the water flows freely except the driest of years. For those who seek a cool refreshing place to do a hike in this desolate high desert region, the shallow water in this narrow canyon produces an evaporative cooling effect. The natural air conditioning can certainly spell relief on a hot day.

There are upper and lower hiking trailheads at Hackberry Canyon and the signage is easy to spot. There are also several primitive campsites, RV pads and an ATV staging area, so doing an extended stay is certainly an option. There is no potable water to be found anywhere along Cottonwood Canyon Road and for those who use modern filtration kits, it is best to check the quality of the local resources ahead of time. Cattle related pathogens are the primary threat in this region and there are soluble toxic substances to be wary of. Camping is 100% pack it in-pack it out, so pack a sanitation device.

Hackberry Canyon certainly is a landmark that is well worth checking out and hundreds of other mysterious canyons await to explored along the upheaval reef from the Cottonwood Narrows to this spot. From Hackberry south to Highway 89, the landscape transforms from a geological reef into vast region of rolling hills with volcanic cinder cones and towering buttes. The road follows the Paria River from this point on, so the wildlife viewing is good. The Grand Staircase-Escalante wilderness beckons to be experienced and Hackberry Canyon is yet another great destination in this park that most definitely needs to be chalked high on the list!