{"id":6086,"date":"2022-03-11T05:03:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T05:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/grand-canyon-flightseeing-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T03:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T03:06:11","slug":"kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaiparowits Plateau Road Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-6086\" data-postid=\"6086\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-6086 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_wbgl100 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_6lzk101 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_r24e101    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>The Kaiparowits Plateau is a remote mountaintop region in south-central Utah that is inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and recently renowned for its treasure chest of dinosaur fossils.<\/strong> The plateau also offers a combination of road trips, either leaving out of the towns of Big Water or Escalante. On the trip showcased here, we\u2019ll concentrate on the north half of the Kaiparowits by starting and ending in Escalante using Hole in the Rock and Smoky Mountain Roads.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_r5vv102 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_lp86102 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Kaiparowits1.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6078\" title=\"Kaiparowits1\" alt=\"Kaiparowits1\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mu99100 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_7jis103 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_gw6t103 button-bottom-center red  rounded embossed shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ron7103 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"lightSpeedIn\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j3R8EZO2ry0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"376\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6098\" title=\"YouTubeKaiparowits\" alt=\"YouTubeKaiparowits\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits.jpg 668w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7eil541   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_huvd100 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_bsns104 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_8mfl924  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            60 miles (96 km) one-way        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_vyx2336  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Dinosaur trackway<\/li>\n<li>Area where many fossils are being found<\/li>\n<li>Spectacular geology<\/li>\n<li>Great views<\/li>\n<li>Seldom visited areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_z17o105 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_tm22777  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>High clearance 4WD required<\/li>\n<li>Road prone to washouts<\/li>\n<li>Very remote area<\/li>\n<li>No phone service<\/li>\n<li>No services<\/li>\n<li>Navigation skills needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_15o737  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Elevation Gain<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Low point 5,200 feet elevation\nHigh point 6,600 feet        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ta9r100 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_vcs0103 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_pmln103   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h5>Where the name Kaiparowits comes from<\/h5>\n<p>The name \u201cKaiparowits\u201d comes from a Paiute name that means \u201cBig Mountain\u2019s Little Brother\u201d. The Paiute are the Native American tribe that have inhabited southern Utah for the past several-hundred years. The Paiute may have meant that the Kaiparowits is little brother to the neighboring Aquarius and Paunsaugunt Plateaus, which are roughly the same size.<\/p>\n<p>The Paiute language has been used for naming many places nearby, such as the original name of Zion National Park (<em>Mukuntuweap<\/em> National Monument) and the narrowest part of the Grand Canyon, <em>Toroweap<\/em>, where the suffix\u00a0<em>weap<\/em> means &#8220;canyon&#8221; or &#8220;of the Earth&#8221; in Paiute.<\/p>\n<h3>Dinosaur Fossils<\/h3>\n<p>Since the 1990s, exciting discoveries have been made here of fossilized animal remains that once lived in the Late Cretaceous Period, which is the period that occurred after the Jurassic period. These fossils are found in rock layers and sediments laid down 82 to 70 million years ago. This area is full of paleontological treasures, the majority of which have yet to be discovered.<\/p>\n<p>These fossils were deposited in the many geologic layers or formations of the Kaiparowits. Some of these formations include the Morrison, Tropic Wahweap, Straight Cliffs, and Kaiparowits (the plateau\u2019s namesake). When traveling this road trip, you\u2019ll see firsthand and pass through all of these different layers where prehistoric animals used to roam.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the on-going discovery of fossils on the plateau at the national monument visitor centers located in both Big Water and Escalante. Big Water is located on Hwy 89, 17 miles west of Page, Arizona. Escalante is located on Utah SR 12, 45 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park. Big Water\u2019s visitor center specializes more on the discoveries made in the Kaiparowits with displays and information on the dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous.<\/p>\n<h5>Dinosaur-related Pictures<\/h5>\n<p>Below are some pictures of what to see at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center in Big Water, Utah, that focuses on the dinosaur fossils found throughout the Kaiparowits Plateau.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_43jv244  slider-default  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"1\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"1\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"normal\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7fb4de 25%,#8ebbe4 25% 50%,#84b6db 50% 75%,#80accf 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cc864a 25%,#d6bd95 25% 50%,#0a0406 50% 75%,#ac956b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9b6e 25%,#9f927f 25% 50%,#605543 50% 75%,#816929 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a66732 25%,#b5723e 25% 50%,#b88d63 50% 75%,#91856f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6120\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1\" alt=\"Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6120\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1\" alt=\"Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#393534 25%,#424645 25% 50%,#989a99 50% 75%,#9e978f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#838381 25%,#b4a89a 25% 50%,#c1c8d0 50% 75%,#b2aaa8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#615a54 25%,#c4c9cd 25% 50%,#383e3e 50% 75%,#555a5e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#302e3b 25%,#bcc1c4 25% 50%,#baaa9d 50% 75%,#74706f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6121\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2\" alt=\"Display at Big Water Visitor Center\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6121\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2\" alt=\"Display at Big Water Visitor Center\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Display at Big Water Visitor Center<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#682f14 25%,#672608 25% 50%,#7f3302 50% 75%,#8b4c20 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e1ccdb 25%,#e2d5e6 25% 50%,#e6d1e2 50% 75%,#d9c6da 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e7d2e1 25%,#c4c0d9 25% 50%,#e2d4e3 50% 75%,#2f252d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#723516 25%,#5d2b10 25% 50%,#7a3b1c 50% 75%,#4b2413 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6122\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3\" alt=\"Dinosaur-eating crocodile\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6122\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3\" alt=\"Dinosaur-eating crocodile\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>The Kaiparowits Plateau is known for the discovery of a dinosaur-eating crocodile fossil<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#9a775b 25%,#b6a89d 25% 50%,#cac2b5 50% 75%,#b29c87 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#647b9d 25%,#6b637b 25% 50%,#9a8981 50% 75%,#bf8c6d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b7aab1 25%,#cca794 25% 50%,#514657 50% 75%,#987a78 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b9b6c9 25%,#bfb6c9 25% 50%,#beadbf 50% 75%,#3a3414 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6123\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4\" alt=\"Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6123\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4\" alt=\"Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#b38d66 25%,#989380 25% 50%,#b49e90 50% 75%,#6a5f49 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#211917 25%,#c6c3b0 25% 50%,#2d241f 50% 75%,#302d24 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cac9c7 25%,#ded9d5 25% 50%,#eaeae8 50% 75%,#a69770 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#46474c 25%,#4c4847 25% 50%,#47423c 50% 75%,#666769 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6124\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5\" alt=\"Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6124\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5\" alt=\"Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau in Big Water<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_pmud159 image-top rounded  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6759\" title=\"Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2\" alt=\"Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7ho1104   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Grand Staircase<\/h3>\n<p>Taking this road trip into the Kaiparowits Plateau is a great way to experience the so-called \u201cGrand Staircase\u201d. This unique geologic feature is a series of steps starting at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and ending on the top of Bryce Canyon National Park.<\/p>\n<p>Each step is a geologic layer or formation that literally is a recording of what was going on with the Earth\u2019s history at a give period of time. The deeper the layer, such as in the Grand Canyon, the older the time. Bryce is topped with the last (or youngest) layer deposited and formed some 50 million years ago.<\/p>\n<p>What is recorded in those layers are different sediments that gave clues as to what has happening on the Earth\u2019s surface at that time. Was the land a forest? Was it a river delta? Was the land made of giant sand dunes? Inside those sediments, remains of plants and animals, including their footprints, were also left behind and fossilized.<\/p>\n<p>When you travel into the Kaiparowits using the road trip explained below, you\u2019ll be passing through one of the last steps in the Grand Staircase, before it reaches Bryce. Along the way, you\u2019ll see many of these layers of rock and sediment. It\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess where these fossils can be unburied and revealed.<\/p>\n<h2>Dinosaur Trackway<\/h2>\n<p>To keep with the dino-theme, along this road trip we\u2019ll make a stop at the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site. Here, you\u2019ll find two (or possibly more) fairly long tracks or series of dinosaur footprints. There are two different types of tracks, made by two different animals.<\/p>\n<p>Although our road trip focuses on the neighboring Kaiparowits Plateau that was deposited during the later-half of the Cretaceous Period (80-65 million years ago), the footprints in this trackway were actually made during the Jurrasic Period, around 150 million years ago. The footprints appear in the tan-whiteish-grey Entrada Sandstone formation that is common at the base of the Kaiparowits Plateau. Incidentally, scenic rock formations, such as arches and hoodoos, are found in the Entrada Formation just outside of both Big Water and Escalante on both sides of the plateau.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned, there are two distinctively different animal tracks. One is round and about the size an elephant would leave. The other seems to have been left by an animal with three toes.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the trackway by reading this PDF\/paper: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Dinosaur_Tracks_and_Trackways_in_the_Escalante.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dinosaur Tracks and Trackways in the Escalante Member of the Entrada Formation<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>More&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-4\"><div class=\"g-single a-8\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdDeathValley3.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_ppv7112   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" \/>\n        <input type=\"image\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/btn\/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" name=\"submit\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online.\" \/>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<!-- End PayPal Donations -->\n<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3qkl29   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_b018104  slider-default  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"1\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"1\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"normal\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0052c2 25%,#066bdd 25% 50%,#734a2c 50% 75%,#0079f4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#141408 25%,#4d3227 25% 50%,#77402c 50% 75%,#1a0800 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#86684c 25%,#a78667 25% 50%,#e5cbaa 50% 75%,#07080c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d6a98a 25%,#aca499 25% 50%,#a29d99 50% 75%,#9c9492 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6085\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr1\" alt=\"Devil&#039;s Garden\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6085\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr1\" alt=\"Devil&#039;s Garden\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Hoodoos at Devil&#8217;s Garden<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#b6b6b4 25%,#c4cbd1 25% 50%,#aeafb1 50% 75%,#999491 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#858587 25%,#43515c 25% 50%,#a4a4a4 50% 75%,#868b91 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b2a68c 25%,#6b6b61 25% 50%,#b7b3b0 50% 75%,#8e8983 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a1978e 25%,#d4d6d5 25% 50%,#878787 50% 75%,#7c7771 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6084\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr2\" alt=\"A theropod (biped) footprint\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6084\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr2\" alt=\"A theropod (biped) footprint\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>A theropod (biped) footprint at the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7f7f7f 25%,#89a7bf 25% 50%,#7c9eb9 50% 75%,#ac9470 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c3cbce 25%,#829486 25% 50%,#374139 50% 75%,#825d33 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7e7b50 25%,#856b54 25% 50%,#786f68 50% 75%,#514a3a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a09373 25%,#827968 25% 50%,#998c7c 50% 75%,#bdbeb8 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6083\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr3\" alt=\"Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6083\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr3\" alt=\"Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#aa9d8c 25%,#6e6556 25% 50%,#2a8af0 50% 75%,#2f8ded 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#462e14 25%,#9d9183 25% 50%,#4c474d 50% 75%,#221c1c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#454344 25%,#57381c 25% 50%,#b4a699 50% 75%,#50483d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#93867d 25%,#c0b3a3 25% 50%,#998876 50% 75%,#a89d7f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6082\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr4\" alt=\"Balanced rock in Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6082\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr4\" alt=\"Balanced rock in Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Balanced rock in Collet Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#6e5738 25%,#009bf7 25% 50%,#0188f4 50% 75%,#006fd1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#60482e 25%,#22a8ef 25% 50%,#009af4 50% 75%,#001b3d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7e775d 25%,#130e12 25% 50%,#19190d 50% 75%,#1c1c1e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#322713 25%,#d1ccc6 25% 50%,#908275 50% 75%,#928370 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6081\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr5\" alt=\"Exiting Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6081\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr5\" alt=\"Exiting Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Exiting Left-Hand Collet Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0268bd 25%,#0169ca 25% 50%,#0075dc 50% 75%,#0083eb 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2b2726 25%,#17233d 25% 50%,#0b5a9d 50% 75%,#54442a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#857c5f 25%,#b8a57d 25% 50%,#e6cf9b 50% 75%,#b58c16 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#605c50 25%,#504a3e 25% 50%,#c2ab81 50% 75%,#d0b38b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6080\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr6\" alt=\"Descending in to Little Valley\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6080\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr6\" alt=\"Descending in to Little Valley\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Descending in to Little Valley on Smokey Mountain Road on the Kaiparowits Plateau<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#3a3a30 25%,#0090f0 25% 50%,#0392fa 50% 75%,#1298f9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2f3430 25%,#333439 25% 50%,#49aff7 50% 75%,#5fbbfc 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#31302b 25%,#2e2c2f 25% 50%,#38382e 50% 75%,#5c4138 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#554d40 25%,#9d9894 25% 50%,#a49b8a 50% 75%,#736a65 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-6079\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr7\" alt=\"Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6079\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr7\" alt=\"Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_0k95362 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_7972362 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vm1r362   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_izhd363 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fki4363   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_cgxp100 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_robu105 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_edga105   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-29\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjksMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_nil0106 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #000;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_byyo106   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Road Trip<\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned, our trip begins and ends in Escalante. It consists of a loop trip on three named roads: Hole in the Rock Road, Left Hand Collet Canyon Road, and Smokey Mountain Road.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>NOTE:<\/strong><\/span> Don&#8217;t miss the downloadable and interactive <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/#TripMap\">map below<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Before starting this trip, go to the national monument visitor center on the west side of town and check the road conditions of the three aforementioned roads. The road to be most concerned with is Left Hand Collet Canyon Road, as it sits on a major drainage and frequently washes out, making it impassable. Also, make sure to leave Escalante with a full tank of gas and enough food and water to last you through the journey. This trip is about 60 miles one-way on dirt roads.<\/p>\n<p>Start by driving out of Escalante on Hwy 12 heading east. At about 4.5 miles from town, turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road and reset your trip meter. Continue on this well-used dirt road for about 12 miles to Devil\u2019s Garden on the right. You should be a sign marking the entrance.<\/p>\n<p>Plan to spend at least half an hour or more wondering around Devil\u2019s Garden, which is a collection of hoodoos, arches and rock formations. These formations were formed near the junction of two members of the Entrada Sandstone formation, which are clearly visible as the lower member being grayish white, while the upper member is brownish.<\/p>\n<p>Continue down Hole in the Rock Road for another two miles until the junction with Left-hand Collet Road is reached. Turn right. You\u2019ll see the opening of Left-hand and Right-hand Collet Canyons cut into the Straight Cliffs ahead. After turning right, reset your trip meter again.<\/p>\n<p>At 2.3 miles, turn right onto an unmarked road to visit the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site. Continue on this short road for about half a mile to the base of that same grayish white Entrada Sandstone we visited earlier. The tracks are found on the upper bench of sandstone.<\/p>\n<p>When finished at the dino-track site, continue up Collet Canyon Road. Soon, you\u2019ll enter the canyon. Notice all the different brown and beige-colored layers that were laid down around 75 million years ago. Some of the layers have created very striking rock formations and shapes.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7x69106   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_p776106   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>As the canyon narrows, the road becomes rough and increasingly challenging. Keep in mind that this is a major drainage of the plateau and the road sits in the bottom of that drainage. This is why it is important to check on the road conditions before leaving Escalante.<\/p>\n<p>At about 7.5 miles from Hole in the Rock Road, the road exits Collet Canyon and climbs up through a side canyon on the left to the top of the Kaiparowits Plateau. This road too sits in the bottom of a canyon and can be challenging with rock steps your vehicle will need to rock-crawl up.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, at 10.6 miles, the road reaches the top of the Kaiparowits Plateau. From here on in, usually, the roads are in much better condition since the terrain is mostly flat. Being on top of the plateau, you\u2019ll also have a great view in many directions, including seeing Powell Point (the highest spot in the Colorado Plateau) 25 miles to the northwest and the Henry Mountains near Capitol Reef, 50 miles to the east.<\/p>\n<p>Keep bearing right at turns, following signs to Escalante. Shortly, you\u2019ll be on Smokey Mountain Road (BLM Road 300), which comes up south from Big Water and Lake Powell. This is a major north-south road and is usually well-maintained. But it is still a very remote and seldomly-used road that also crosses a lot of drainages, making the road susceptible to washouts.<\/p>\n<p>Smokey Mountain Road crosses over the tops of many of the tributary canyons that feed into Collet Canyon below. Looking down those canyons, one can only guess where to start digging to find the next big fossil treasure.<\/p>\n<p>At about 32 miles from Hole in the Rock Road, Smokey Mountain Road reaches a summit and begins descending into a low-laying valley named Little Valley. This is the beginning of the drainage of Alvey Wash. For the next ten miles or so, the road gradually descends through the canyon created by this wash. You\u2019ll recognize many of the same rock layers you passed by climbing Collet Canyon. Except for here, you\u2019ll pass through them more gradually.<\/p>\n<p>After existing the canyon, the town of Escalante will be seen ahead and, before you know it, you\u2019ll be back on pavement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-27\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjcsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-2a.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"TripMap\">Trip Map<\/h2>\n<p>To help plan your trip, either use our interactive Google Map below or download our GPX file that points out the places to see that are mentioned in this chapter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/gpx-files\/KaiparowitsRoadTrip.gpx\" download=\"\">Click here<\/a> to download our GPX file that follows our tour of the Kaiparowits Plateau. We recommend using a GPS mapping app, such as Gaia GPS, to view these points on your computer or to locate them using GPS with your mobile device or phone. Click the ad below to purchase Gaia GPS at a discount and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_wxya587\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_wxya587  tf_lazy\" data-zoom=\"10\" data-type=\"HYBRID\" data-address=\"37.61807, -111.52395\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"desktop_only\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-style_map=\"pale-dawn\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:350px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.727158,-111.531362\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn off Hwy 12 onto Hole in the Rock Road\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.58792,-111.409934\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEntrance to Devils Garden\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.563459,-111.388762\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJct of Hole in the Rock Rd and Left Hand Collet Cyn Rd - BLM 230\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.544723,-111.422892\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn right (north) to Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.550646,-111.424866\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDino Track trailhead\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.551545,-111.423089\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDino tracks about here\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.511988,-111.459587\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad becomes more rough\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.501247,-111.470305\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBalanced rock\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.493807,-111.477407\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad leaves main canyon\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.460414,-111.480862\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad exits canyon - bear right to Smokey Mtn Rd - bearing left is Croton Rd goes to Lake Powell\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.45636,-111.505989\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tContinue straight (slight right) to continue on Smokey Mtn Rd to Escalante\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.53431,-111.63333\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTop of Right-hand Collet Canyon seen on right\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.608535,-111.60464\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tView of Long Valley in distance\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.700648,-111.627259\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSerenity Natural Bridge seen on right\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.759856,-111.615790\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPavement is reached - 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The plateau also offers a combination of road trips, either leaving out of the towns of Big Water or Escalante. On the trip showcased here, we\u2019ll [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,12,14,17,19,18,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geology","category-places","category-road4wd","category-season-fall","category-season-spring","category-season-summer","category-utah","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Kaiparowits Plateau is a remote mountaintop in south-central Utah inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument renowned for its dinosaur fossils.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" 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guide for the 21st Century","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/#organization"}}]},"og:locale":"en_US","og:site_name":"BackRoadsWest Trips Blog | A new kind of travel guide for the 21st Century","og:type":"article","og:title":"Kaiparowits Plateau Road Trip | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog","og:description":"The Kaiparowits Plateau is a remote mountaintop in south-central Utah inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument renowned for its dinosaur fossils.","og:url":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/","article:published_time":"2022-03-11T05:03:32+00:00","article:modified_time":"2025-10-10T03:06:11+00:00","twitter:card":"summary","twitter:title":"Kaiparowits Plateau Road Trip | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog","twitter:description":"The Kaiparowits Plateau is a remote mountaintop in south-central Utah inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument renowned for its dinosaur 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05:03:33","updated":"2026-05-13 18:40:49","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/places\/\" title=\"Places\">Places<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tKaiparowits Plateau Road Trip\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog"},{"label":"Places","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/places\/"},{"label":"Kaiparowits Plateau Road Trip","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/"}],"builder_content":"<p><strong>The Kaiparowits Plateau is a remote mountaintop region in south-central Utah that is inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and recently renowned for its treasure chest of dinosaur fossils.<\/strong> The plateau also offers a combination of road trips, either leaving out of the towns of Big Water or Escalante. On the trip showcased here, we\u2019ll concentrate on the north half of the Kaiparowits by starting and ending in Escalante using Hole in the Rock and Smoky Mountain Roads.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Kaiparowits1.jpg\" title=\"Kaiparowits1\" alt=\"Kaiparowits1\"> <\/a>\n<h3><\/h3> <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments. Then come back to get the rest of the story.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j3R8EZO2ry0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeKaiparowits\" alt=\"YouTubeKaiparowits\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits.jpg 668w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/YouTubeKaiparowits-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> 60 miles (96 km) one-way\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Dinosaur trackway<\/li> <li>Area where many fossils are being found<\/li> <li>Spectacular geology<\/li> <li>Great views<\/li> <li>Seldom visited areas<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>High clearance 4WD required<\/li> <li>Road prone to washouts<\/li> <li>Very remote area<\/li> <li>No phone service<\/li> <li>No services<\/li> <li>Navigation skills needed<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Elevation Gain<\/h3> Low point 5,200 feet elevation High point 6,600 feet\n<p>\u00a0<\/p> <h5>Where the name Kaiparowits comes from<\/h5> <p>The name \u201cKaiparowits\u201d comes from a Paiute name that means \u201cBig Mountain\u2019s Little Brother\u201d. The Paiute are the Native American tribe that have inhabited southern Utah for the past several-hundred years. The Paiute may have meant that the Kaiparowits is little brother to the neighboring Aquarius and Paunsaugunt Plateaus, which are roughly the same size.<\/p> <p>The Paiute language has been used for naming many places nearby, such as the original name of Zion National Park (<em>Mukuntuweap<\/em> National Monument) and the narrowest part of the Grand Canyon, <em>Toroweap<\/em>, where the suffix\u00a0<em>weap<\/em> means \"canyon\" or \"of the Earth\" in Paiute.<\/p> <h3>Dinosaur Fossils<\/h3> <p>Since the 1990s, exciting discoveries have been made here of fossilized animal remains that once lived in the Late Cretaceous Period, which is the period that occurred after the Jurassic period. These fossils are found in rock layers and sediments laid down 82 to 70 million years ago. This area is full of paleontological treasures, the majority of which have yet to be discovered.<\/p> <p>These fossils were deposited in the many geologic layers or formations of the Kaiparowits. Some of these formations include the Morrison, Tropic Wahweap, Straight Cliffs, and Kaiparowits (the plateau\u2019s namesake). When traveling this road trip, you\u2019ll see firsthand and pass through all of these different layers where prehistoric animals used to roam.<\/p> <p>Learn more about the on-going discovery of fossils on the plateau at the national monument visitor centers located in both Big Water and Escalante. Big Water is located on Hwy 89, 17 miles west of Page, Arizona. Escalante is located on Utah SR 12, 45 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park. Big Water\u2019s visitor center specializes more on the discoveries made in the Kaiparowits with displays and information on the dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous.<\/p> <h5>Dinosaur-related Pictures<\/h5> <p>Below are some pictures of what to see at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center in Big Water, Utah, that focuses on the dinosaur fossils found throughout the Kaiparowits Plateau.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7fb4de 25%,#8ebbe4 25% 50%,#84b6db 50% 75%,#80accf 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cc864a 25%,#d6bd95 25% 50%,#0a0406 50% 75%,#ac956b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9b6e 25%,#9f927f 25% 50%,#605543 50% 75%,#816929 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a66732 25%,#b5723e 25% 50%,#b88d63 50% 75%,#91856f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1\" alt=\"Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1\" alt=\"Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center at Big Water, Utah <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#393534 25%,#424645 25% 50%,#989a99 50% 75%,#9e978f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#838381 25%,#b4a89a 25% 50%,#c1c8d0 50% 75%,#b2aaa8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#615a54 25%,#c4c9cd 25% 50%,#383e3e 50% 75%,#555a5e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#302e3b 25%,#bcc1c4 25% 50%,#baaa9d 50% 75%,#74706f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2\" alt=\"Display at Big Water Visitor Center\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2\" alt=\"Display at Big Water Visitor Center\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Display at Big Water Visitor Center <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#682f14 25%,#672608 25% 50%,#7f3302 50% 75%,#8b4c20 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e1ccdb 25%,#e2d5e6 25% 50%,#e6d1e2 50% 75%,#d9c6da 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e7d2e1 25%,#c4c0d9 25% 50%,#e2d4e3 50% 75%,#2f252d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#723516 25%,#5d2b10 25% 50%,#7a3b1c 50% 75%,#4b2413 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3\" alt=\"Dinosaur-eating crocodile\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3\" alt=\"Dinosaur-eating crocodile\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> The Kaiparowits Plateau is known for the discovery of a dinosaur-eating crocodile fossil <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#9a775b 25%,#b6a89d 25% 50%,#cac2b5 50% 75%,#b29c87 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#647b9d 25%,#6b637b 25% 50%,#9a8981 50% 75%,#bf8c6d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b7aab1 25%,#cca794 25% 50%,#514657 50% 75%,#987a78 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b9b6c9 25%,#bfb6c9 25% 50%,#beadbf 50% 75%,#3a3414 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4\" alt=\"Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4\" alt=\"Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Life-size profile of dinosaur-eating crocodile <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#b38d66 25%,#989380 25% 50%,#b49e90 50% 75%,#6a5f49 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#211917 25%,#c6c3b0 25% 50%,#2d241f 50% 75%,#302d24 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cac9c7 25%,#ded9d5 25% 50%,#eaeae8 50% 75%,#a69770 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#46474c 25%,#4c4847 25% 50%,#47423c 50% 75%,#666769 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5\" alt=\"Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5\" alt=\"Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsBigWaterSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Display of dinosaurs found on the Kaiparowits Plateau in Big Water\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" title=\"Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2\" alt=\"Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Grand Staircase<\/h3> <p>Taking this road trip into the Kaiparowits Plateau is a great way to experience the so-called \u201cGrand Staircase\u201d. This unique geologic feature is a series of steps starting at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and ending on the top of Bryce Canyon National Park.<\/p> <p>Each step is a geologic layer or formation that literally is a recording of what was going on with the Earth\u2019s history at a give period of time. The deeper the layer, such as in the Grand Canyon, the older the time. Bryce is topped with the last (or youngest) layer deposited and formed some 50 million years ago.<\/p> <p>What is recorded in those layers are different sediments that gave clues as to what has happening on the Earth\u2019s surface at that time. Was the land a forest? Was it a river delta? Was the land made of giant sand dunes? Inside those sediments, remains of plants and animals, including their footprints, were also left behind and fossilized.<\/p> <p>When you travel into the Kaiparowits using the road trip explained below, you\u2019ll be passing through one of the last steps in the Grand Staircase, before it reaches Bryce. Along the way, you\u2019ll see many of these layers of rock and sediment. It\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess where these fossils can be unburied and revealed.<\/p> <h2>Dinosaur Trackway<\/h2> <p>To keep with the dino-theme, along this road trip we\u2019ll make a stop at the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site. Here, you\u2019ll find two (or possibly more) fairly long tracks or series of dinosaur footprints. There are two different types of tracks, made by two different animals.<\/p> <p>Although our road trip focuses on the neighboring Kaiparowits Plateau that was deposited during the later-half of the Cretaceous Period (80-65 million years ago), the footprints in this trackway were actually made during the Jurrasic Period, around 150 million years ago. The footprints appear in the tan-whiteish-grey Entrada Sandstone formation that is common at the base of the Kaiparowits Plateau. Incidentally, scenic rock formations, such as arches and hoodoos, are found in the Entrada Formation just outside of both Big Water and Escalante on both sides of the plateau.<\/p> <p>As mentioned, there are two distinctively different animal tracks. One is round and about the size an elephant would leave. The other seems to have been left by an animal with three toes.<\/p> <p>Learn more about the trackway by reading this PDF\/paper: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Dinosaur_Tracks_and_Trackways_in_the_Escalante.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dinosaur Tracks and Trackways in the Escalante Member of the Entrada Formation<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p> <p>More...<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"4\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0052c2 25%,#066bdd 25% 50%,#734a2c 50% 75%,#0079f4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#141408 25%,#4d3227 25% 50%,#77402c 50% 75%,#1a0800 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#86684c 25%,#a78667 25% 50%,#e5cbaa 50% 75%,#07080c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d6a98a 25%,#aca499 25% 50%,#a29d99 50% 75%,#9c9492 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr1\" alt=\"Devil&#039;s Garden\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr1\" alt=\"Devil&#039;s Garden\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Hoodoos at Devil's Garden <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#b6b6b4 25%,#c4cbd1 25% 50%,#aeafb1 50% 75%,#999491 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#858587 25%,#43515c 25% 50%,#a4a4a4 50% 75%,#868b91 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b2a68c 25%,#6b6b61 25% 50%,#b7b3b0 50% 75%,#8e8983 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a1978e 25%,#d4d6d5 25% 50%,#878787 50% 75%,#7c7771 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr2\" alt=\"A theropod (biped) footprint\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr2\" alt=\"A theropod (biped) footprint\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> A theropod (biped) footprint at the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7f7f7f 25%,#89a7bf 25% 50%,#7c9eb9 50% 75%,#ac9470 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c3cbce 25%,#829486 25% 50%,#374139 50% 75%,#825d33 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7e7b50 25%,#856b54 25% 50%,#786f68 50% 75%,#514a3a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a09373 25%,#827968 25% 50%,#998c7c 50% 75%,#bdbeb8 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr3\" alt=\"Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr3\" alt=\"Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Entering Left-hand Collet Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#aa9d8c 25%,#6e6556 25% 50%,#2a8af0 50% 75%,#2f8ded 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#462e14 25%,#9d9183 25% 50%,#4c474d 50% 75%,#221c1c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#454344 25%,#57381c 25% 50%,#b4a699 50% 75%,#50483d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#93867d 25%,#c0b3a3 25% 50%,#998876 50% 75%,#a89d7f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr4\" alt=\"Balanced rock in Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr4\" alt=\"Balanced rock in Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Balanced rock in Collet Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#6e5738 25%,#009bf7 25% 50%,#0188f4 50% 75%,#006fd1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#60482e 25%,#22a8ef 25% 50%,#009af4 50% 75%,#001b3d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7e775d 25%,#130e12 25% 50%,#19190d 50% 75%,#1c1c1e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#322713 25%,#d1ccc6 25% 50%,#908275 50% 75%,#928370 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr5\" alt=\"Exiting Collet Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr5\" alt=\"Exiting Collet Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Exiting Left-Hand Collet Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0268bd 25%,#0169ca 25% 50%,#0075dc 50% 75%,#0083eb 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2b2726 25%,#17233d 25% 50%,#0b5a9d 50% 75%,#54442a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#857c5f 25%,#b8a57d 25% 50%,#e6cf9b 50% 75%,#b58c16 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#605c50 25%,#504a3e 25% 50%,#c2ab81 50% 75%,#d0b38b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr6\" alt=\"Descending in to Little Valley\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr6\" alt=\"Descending in to Little Valley\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Descending in to Little Valley on Smokey Mountain Road on the Kaiparowits Plateau <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#3a3a30 25%,#0090f0 25% 50%,#0392fa 50% 75%,#1298f9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2f3430 25%,#333439 25% 50%,#49aff7 50% 75%,#5fbbfc 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#31302b 25%,#2e2c2f 25% 50%,#38382e 50% 75%,#5c4138 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#554d40 25%,#9d9894 25% 50%,#a49b8a 50% 75%,#736a65 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr7\" alt=\"Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"KaiparowitsSldr7\" alt=\"Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/KaiparowitsSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Alvey Wash and Smokey Mountain Road\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n\n<h3>Road Trip<\/h3> <p>As mentioned, our trip begins and ends in Escalante. It consists of a loop trip on three named roads: Hole in the Rock Road, Left Hand Collet Canyon Road, and Smokey Mountain Road.<\/p> <p><strong>NOTE:<\/strong> Don't miss the downloadable and interactive <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/#TripMap\">map below<\/a>.<\/p> <p>Before starting this trip, go to the national monument visitor center on the west side of town and check the road conditions of the three aforementioned roads. The road to be most concerned with is Left Hand Collet Canyon Road, as it sits on a major drainage and frequently washes out, making it impassable. Also, make sure to leave Escalante with a full tank of gas and enough food and water to last you through the journey. This trip is about 60 miles one-way on dirt roads.<\/p> <p>Start by driving out of Escalante on Hwy 12 heading east. At about 4.5 miles from town, turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road and reset your trip meter. Continue on this well-used dirt road for about 12 miles to Devil\u2019s Garden on the right. You should be a sign marking the entrance.<\/p> <p>Plan to spend at least half an hour or more wondering around Devil\u2019s Garden, which is a collection of hoodoos, arches and rock formations. These formations were formed near the junction of two members of the Entrada Sandstone formation, which are clearly visible as the lower member being grayish white, while the upper member is brownish.<\/p> <p>Continue down Hole in the Rock Road for another two miles until the junction with Left-hand Collet Road is reached. Turn right. You\u2019ll see the opening of Left-hand and Right-hand Collet Canyons cut into the Straight Cliffs ahead. After turning right, reset your trip meter again.<\/p> <p>At 2.3 miles, turn right onto an unmarked road to visit the Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site. Continue on this short road for about half a mile to the base of that same grayish white Entrada Sandstone we visited earlier. The tracks are found on the upper bench of sandstone.<\/p> <p>When finished at the dino-track site, continue up Collet Canyon Road. Soon, you\u2019ll enter the canyon. Notice all the different brown and beige-colored layers that were laid down around 75 million years ago. Some of the layers have created very striking rock formations and shapes.<\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p>As the canyon narrows, the road becomes rough and increasingly challenging. Keep in mind that this is a major drainage of the plateau and the road sits in the bottom of that drainage. This is why it is important to check on the road conditions before leaving Escalante.<\/p> <p>At about 7.5 miles from Hole in the Rock Road, the road exits Collet Canyon and climbs up through a side canyon on the left to the top of the Kaiparowits Plateau. This road too sits in the bottom of a canyon and can be challenging with rock steps your vehicle will need to rock-crawl up.<\/p> <p>Finally, at 10.6 miles, the road reaches the top of the Kaiparowits Plateau. From here on in, usually, the roads are in much better condition since the terrain is mostly flat. Being on top of the plateau, you\u2019ll also have a great view in many directions, including seeing Powell Point (the highest spot in the Colorado Plateau) 25 miles to the northwest and the Henry Mountains near Capitol Reef, 50 miles to the east.<\/p> <p>Keep bearing right at turns, following signs to Escalante. Shortly, you\u2019ll be on Smokey Mountain Road (BLM Road 300), which comes up south from Big Water and Lake Powell. This is a major north-south road and is usually well-maintained. But it is still a very remote and seldomly-used road that also crosses a lot of drainages, making the road susceptible to washouts.<\/p> <p>Smokey Mountain Road crosses over the tops of many of the tributary canyons that feed into Collet Canyon below. Looking down those canyons, one can only guess where to start digging to find the next big fossil treasure.<\/p> <p>At about 32 miles from Hole in the Rock Road, Smokey Mountain Road reaches a summit and begins descending into a low-laying valley named Little Valley. This is the beginning of the drainage of Alvey Wash. For the next ten miles or so, the road gradually descends through the canyon created by this wash. You\u2019ll recognize many of the same rock layers you passed by climbing Collet Canyon. Except for here, you\u2019ll pass through them more gradually.<\/p> <p>After existing the canyon, the town of Escalante will be seen ahead and, before you know it, you\u2019ll be back on pavement.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h2 id=\"TripMap\">Trip Map<\/h2> <p>To help plan your trip, either use our interactive Google Map below or download our GPX file that points out the places to see that are mentioned in this chapter.<\/p> <p><a href=\"\/blog\/gpx-files\/KaiparowitsRoadTrip.gpx\" download=\"\">Click here<\/a> to download our GPX file that follows our tour of the Kaiparowits Plateau. We recommend using a GPS mapping app, such as Gaia GPS, to view these points on your computer or to locate them using GPS with your mobile device or phone. Click the ad below to purchase Gaia GPS at a discount and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Turn off Hwy 12 onto Hole in the Rock Road Entrance to Devils Garden Jct of Hole in the Rock Rd and Left Hand Collet Cyn Rd - BLM 230 Turn right (north) to Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site Dino Track trailhead Dino tracks about here Road becomes more rough Balanced rock Road leaves main canyon Road exits canyon - bear right to Smokey Mtn Rd - bearing left is Croton Rd goes to Lake Powell Continue straight (slight right) to continue on Smokey Mtn Rd to Escalante Top of Right-hand Collet Canyon seen on right View of Long Valley in distance Serenity Natural Bridge seen on right Pavement is reached - back in Escalante <\/template>\n<h3>Comments<\/h3> <p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j3R8EZO2ry0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><p>[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3> <p>[mc4wp_form]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"1662640655\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h3>More Trips<\/h3> Wanna see more trips in Utah? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/utah\/\"> See More Utah Trips <\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6086"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6086\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7979,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6086\/revisions\/7979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}