The
Escalante Subdistrict has no marina or launch ramp
to access to Lake Powell. It does, however, provide
for some of the best backcountry hiking and camping
experiences within Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area. The lower section of the Escalante River, approximately
12 miles, can be reached by boat from the main channel
of Lake Powell. All of the canyons in the Escalante
drainage feature excellent hiking opportunities.
Early
Days. The Escalante River was named in 1872 by
A.H. Thompson, a member of the Powell Survey who passed
through the upper basin area on a mapping expedition.
He was travelling through the area again in 1875 when
a group of Mormon pioneers were planning a settlement
in the area. Thompson suggested they name their new
town Escalante. The name comes from the Dominguez-Escalante
Expedition of 1776. Two Spanish priests, frs. Dominguez
and Escalante, traversed much of the southwest in
a grueling expedition in an attempt to reach California
from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The party did not reach
the Escalante drainage, but Thompson, who knew the
history of the area, thought it would be a good way
in which to honor one of the first known explorers
of the Southwest.
Ranching was one of the primary occupations of the
new village and the cowboys soon began to push their
way into the many canyons of the Escalante seeking
good grass and lost cattle. They were among the first
non-Indians to see the arches, bridges, alcoves, and
other wonders which draw visitors today.
Just prior to World War II, a proposal was put forth
in Congress to create Escalante National Park. This
proposed park included not only the canyons of the
Escalante, but most of southeastern Utah. World War
II intervened however and the proposal was all but
forgotten in the crush of legislation related to fighting
the war. Afterwards, some felt that national priorities
had changed and Congress was, perhaps, more reluctant
to restrict extractive activities such as mining on
so large a chunk of land.
Eventually,
several national parks and monuments were created
in this area, though even their combined size did
not approach that of the original Escalante National
Park - the park that almost was.
Everett
Ruess. ". . . there is always an undercurrent
of restlessness and wild longing, 'the wind is in
my hair, there's a fire in my heels,' and I shall
always be a rover, I know."
In 1934, an aspiring artist and adventurer, 20 year-old
Everett Ruess, arrived in Escalante to continue pursuing
his vision of wandering wild areas, including the
vast canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. After
spending time in Escalante getting to know local residents,
he struck out with his burros in the direction of
the Escalante canyons. He was never seen again and
the mystery that resulted endures as one of the greatest
known in the region.
At first, his parents, accustomed to not hearing from
Everett for long periods, waited for word from him.
Some four months later, however, they began sending
letters to various people in the region seeking assistance
in finding their son. Over the next year, four different
searches were conducted, one of which enlisted the
assistance of an expert Navajo tracker.
During one of the searches, they found his burros,
nearly starved but alive, in Davis Gulch. Also found
was an inscription: "Nemo 1934." What "Nemo"
meant remains open to speculation, but his parent
thought that it might mean "no one," perhaps
reflecting on Everett's desire to be a part of the
unknown wilderness.
Several theories exist to explain Everett's disappearance.
Some speculate that he continued his wanderings with
a backpack and departed the region altogether. Some
suggested that he might have climbed up crumbling
cliffs to explore ancient ruins and fell to his death,
the body covered by blowing sand. Others suggest that
he may been murdered by cattle rustlers. It had been
rumored at the time of Everett's disappearance that
the government was sending an agent to the area to
investigate a series of livestock thefts. It was speculated
that Everett might have been mistaken as such an agent.
The Navajo tracker, however, claimed that Everett
had entered Davis Gulch, but had not come out; he
stated there were no other tracks except Everett's.
For more information about Everett Ruess and his wanderings,
read Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty, by W. L.
Rusho, Peregrine Smith Books, Salt Lake City.
Escalante
Today. Escalante is a small town, typical of rural
southern Utah, however most major tourist services
are available, including: 6 motels, 1 Bed & Breakfast,
2 RV Parks, 3 gas stations (including towing service
and auto mechanic), 6 restaurants, 2 grocery stores,
a farm supply center, art galleries and gift shops.
There is a medical clinic that is open Monday through
Friday. The nearest hospital is in Panguitch, about
70 miles west of Escalante.
The Escalante Interagency Office is located on the
west side of town. This houses a visitor information
center, as well as the combined offices for the Dixie
National Forest, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument, and the Escalante Subdistrict of Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area. The Visitor Center is open
7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM from mid-March through
the end of October. The remainder of the year it is
open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. There
are also numerous Forest Service, BLM, and State Park
campgrounds in the area.
