Has anyone been in these canyons from the lake that can give an update on current conditions? Are they super mucky upstream of where they meet the lake? Lots of bushwacking? We won't be there until mid-october, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what they are looking like. Any Info would be great. Thanks!
Escalante arm current conditions? Davis, Fifty, Willow, Bishop?
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JFRCalifornia
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I visited Davis in mid-August and can give you some educated speculation about the others.
As of mid-August 2025, Davis was an easy landing, and easy walking until near LaGorce Arch. After that, willow thickets became more dense, and numerous beaver dams slowed progress on foot. But it was doable. Beyond the pool and small waterfall (about 2 miles from the navigable end), it became a dense vegetation slog at times. It's worth giving this one a try.
Fiftymile access was unknown until mid-August, but now that it's possible to pass under Gregory Bridge, I'm guessing it's possible to easily land somewhere beyond and keep on walking, as it usually has been in the past. But have not recently tested this hypothesis. It's worth a shot. One of my favorite hikes on the lake.
I didn't check Willow in August, but this one is almost always a mucky mess at the beginning in low water, with lots of vegetation at times. It tends to get better as you go. Right now, the lake ends near the confluence of Bishop and Willow. In October, you might be walking to reach that confluence.
Same story with Bishop. That's a canyon that tends to have wind-blown log jams toward its navigable end (not always, but often), and in low water, if that's the case, look for logs near its confluence with Willow, which might mean a log jam could be in Willow itself. But if you can get past any logs, it tends to be pretty walkable with less vegetation than in Willow. It's a beautiful hike. But it does have a running stream with an extra-slick hard sandstone surface, and it's easy to slip and fall...
As an old fat man, I'll just add that whatever feature you're wanting to see/experience is getting farther and farther away from the shore. Plan for extra water and time. There are reports just in the last week of people turning around in Smith Fork before ever reaching the slot canyon - and another group turning around in Forgotten before getting to Defiance House.
JFRCalifornia
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Good points about the distance to reach desired features.
In Smith Fork, the slot section is about a 1.5 to 2-hour hike each way from the current landing spot (closer to 2), partly because of the distance, but mostly because it's become something of a bushwhack, with occasional knee- to thigh-deep water. There's also a significant rockfall obstacle on the left about halfway there that's tricky to get around (best to stay to the right of the creek instead of hiking the sketchy trail through the rockfall).
In Forgotten, it's mostly the heat of the sun that turns people around before reaching Defiance House Ruin. Plan for an hour of walking each way.
In all cases, bring lots of water. Hiking poles are a big plus.
That said, you don't need a destination to enjoy any Lake Powell hike... it's all about what you see and hear along the way...
Tracy Speer
Well-Known Member
I spent a week in the Escalante and just came home yesterday,
All the side canyons are fine, don't back back quite as far as they used to but don't get a little barky until the very end,
Several really good sandy beaches if you go in a ways in the main channel of the Escalante,
and some pretty good ones in each of the side canyons, Davis Gulch, Fifty Mile and such,
You can not get to the Indian Ruins as the lake gets real shallow about 1 or 2 bends before you get there,
You can't go wrong with the Escalante
have a great trip
All the side canyons are fine, don't back back quite as far as they used to but don't get a little barky until the very end,
Several really good sandy beaches if you go in a ways in the main channel of the Escalante,
and some pretty good ones in each of the side canyons, Davis Gulch, Fifty Mile and such,
You can not get to the Indian Ruins as the lake gets real shallow about 1 or 2 bends before you get there,
You can't go wrong with the Escalante
have a great trip
Rivergoer
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
We fished Escalante this morning. Here’s Gregory today
There were NO houseboats till we got past Fifty Mile not even one on the big sand beach near Black’s. But around noon the houseboats started pouring in one after another. Looks like another busy week in Escalante. But still LOTS of good sandy beaches with big rocks for anchorage.
CID was spectacular. Will post a pic under 2024 Favorite Pics.
As for fishing, didn’t have much success in Escalante. But out in the main channel between Escalante down to MM 62 we got into over 70, mainly SMB mixed with about 10 stripers. Same as previous reports, smaller stripers 1-1.5 lbs were healthy. 2 lbs were skinny and struggling. Water temps avg 74-77 depending on time of day.
There were NO houseboats till we got past Fifty Mile not even one on the big sand beach near Black’s. But around noon the houseboats started pouring in one after another. Looks like another busy week in Escalante. But still LOTS of good sandy beaches with big rocks for anchorage.
CID was spectacular. Will post a pic under 2024 Favorite Pics.
As for fishing, didn’t have much success in Escalante. But out in the main channel between Escalante down to MM 62 we got into over 70, mainly SMB mixed with about 10 stripers. Same as previous reports, smaller stripers 1-1.5 lbs were healthy. 2 lbs were skinny and struggling. Water temps avg 74-77 depending on time of day.