Escalante Backpacking -- Death Hollow Question

[amk213]

Hi – I’m planning a trip with 5 others this July to hike Death Hollow. We are a hardy group with a lot of hiking and backpacking experience, and several of us have a fair amount of canyoneering experience, both technical and non.


I’m debating between doing the more adventurous, complete Death Hollow Trip, from Hell’s Backbone to the Escalante River Trailhead (or perhaps take the shortcut out via Micro-death), versus the BMT to lower Death Hollow and out via Escalante River (or shortcut out)

My thoughts are the first trip would be more adventurous, but perhaps somewhat dangerous (Steve Allen's description was somewhat intimidating!), and perhaps not as scenic, since we wouldn’t get the same views from above.
The BMT version seems to offer more slickrock hiking with nice views, and doesn’t seem quite as adventurous, and would miss out on the fun stuff above Sulphur Springs.
Time is not an issue as we have up to 5 days in the area.


Can anyone offer any advice – which would you do and why?


Many thanks,

[Scott Card]

Mods probably ought to move this to the backpacking section. You will get answers there.

[Scott P]

If you have five days at your disposal, I would recommend the entire canyon.

The only drawback to Death Hollow is that it has quite a bit of posion ivy, but you won't avoid it anyway by going down the BMT.

July will be hot the first day, but not bad once you hit the water. In summer, I'd recommend carrying enough water on the first day to cover you in case you have to do a dry camp.

Doing the entire canyon is actually very scenic and the tightest narrows are above the BMT (the lower end is also highly scenic).

Steve Allen's description is overall pretty good, but the difficulties are highly exaggerated. In reality, Death Hollow is one that I'd have no qualms what so ever of taking my seven year old girl on.

FYI, unless it's an extremely wet winter/spring, June is preferable to July. Also in either month, there will be horseflies along the Escalante, so bring long pants. On a late June trip we didn't and were sorry. Long pants avoid most of the bites.

[canyonphile]

Also in either month, there will be horseflies along the Escalante, so bring long pants. On a late June trip we didn't and were sorry. Long pants avoid most of the bites.

Yes, this! I had no idea what a deerfly was until we hiked the Escalante in early June and I was wearing shorts. Unlike the deerflies of New England that attack eyelids and faces, these are are mostly "below the belt" biters.

Be sure and post a TR when you do it - it sounds awesome!

[kvolk]

I once read a trip report somewhere of some guy who attempted the entire trip for Hells Backbone early in the year and we finally turned back after flirting wtih some serious hypothermia and high waters.