Hole in the Rock: Scramble to Lake Powell!

Scrambling down Hole in the Rock toward Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Scrambling down Hole in the Rock toward Lake Powell

I was shocked the other day when I found out that I’d never done a post on Hole in the Rock, at the end of Hole in the Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (one of my favorite parks ever).  Hole in the Rock is a pretty incredible place, especially if you’re up to some scrambling and have 4×4.  The first I’m totally in for, the second, well, I don’t own a vehicle with 4×4.  But high clearance will get you pretty close (depending on road conditions), so I can get to Hole in the Rock, by hook or by crook!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 0.6 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Change: 365ft. Fees: None

At the top of Hole in the Rock. You don't have to scramble to see this. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
At the top of Hole in the Rock. You don’t have to scramble to see this.

Actually, that was one of the great things about switching from a station wagon to a van almost 15 years ago.  We switched only because we’d well outgrown the space in the wagon, but we immediately fell in love with our “new” (to us) full-sized van.  Not only did it have the space we needed, but it drove easier and more reliably, we could sleep in it, and it had high clearance, which meant we could have many more adventures than the station wagon could have dreamed of.  But I digress…

Heading down into the slot of Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Heading down into the slot

Hole in the Rock was blasted by Mormon pioneers who couldn’t get down the sheer walls of Glen Canyon.  The “hole” is slowly filling in with debris and rock falls, but it’s still passible for those who are willing to do a bit of scrambling (and have a friend to help them if they come to a place where that’s necessary).  That said, I got my mom down and back up it, so it can’t be that bad!

View from within the slot of Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
View from within the slot

The first time we visited Hole in the Rock, we were able to drive all the way to the end of the road.  The second time, however, we got to a place about a mile or two from the end that was too sandy / rocky for our two wheel drive van, so we ended up walking the rest of the way – a hot, dry walk in May.

Another view inside the slot of Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Another view inside the slot

Still, there is reward at the end.  It’s cool to be able to look down the hole into Lake Powell.  And, after scrambling to the bottom, we decided it was so hot we’d just go swimming in the lake (our clothes dried well before we got back to the van…but I’m sure my clothes will never be the same, having been bleached by the sun in the process!)

The
The “trail” after the slot

Another, sobering, discovery at the bottom is just how far Lake Powell’s water levels have dropped.  The high water mark (end of the white rock) is many, many feet above your head, and it was much lower the first time we visited than the second, for some reason (maybe they’d had some rain?).

From the beach of Lake Powell at the bottom of Hole in the Rock. You can see the high water mark high above the water. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
From the beach of Lake Powell at the bottom of Hole in the Rock. You can see the high water mark high above the water.

When is the best time to go?  Well, that depends on what you’d like to see.  The first time we visited, we came about sunset.  The Hole in the Rock was entirely in shadow, which made scrambling the vague trail a lot easier (and more fun), but the lake was in shadow…until you got up a ways, at which point the photography opportunities were excellent!  So for sun, try midday; for good photos of the lake, try late afternoon.

About half way down Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
About half way down

Overall, I’d recommend Hole in the Rock to anyone who has time on their hands (Hole in the Rock Road is loooonnnnnngggggggg) and has 4×4 or is willing to walk a good distance.  Bicycles are allowed on the road, so that’s another consideration.

At the bottom of Hole in the Rock, on the shores of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
At the bottom at last!

For more about my favorite hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, click here.

Round Trip Trail Length: About a half a mile

Facilities: None.  There is no water on the road, and the only restroom is at the Devil’s Garden Trailhead.

Fees: None

Trail ★★☆☆☆

Road ★☆☆☆☆

Signs ★★☆☆☆

Scenery ★★★★★

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this? ★★★★☆

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆

Looking out over the waters of Lake Powell from the bottom of Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Looking out over the waters of Lake Powell

Key GPS Coordinates for Hole in the Rock

Beginning of Hole in the Rock Road (Highway 12): 37.727665N / -111.531438W (37° 43′ 39.594″ / -111° 31′ 53.1762″)

Parking area at the end of the Hole in the Rock Road: 37.256515N / -110.901037W (37° 15′ 23.454″ / 37° 15′ 23.454″)

Top of Hole in the Rock: 37.256467N / -110.900133W (37° 15′ 23.2812″ / -110° 54′ 0.4782″)

Lake Powell (approximate): 37.253893N / -110.894266W (37° 15′ 14.0142″ / -110° 53′ 39.3576″)

Heading back up into the slot of Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Heading back up into the slot

Getting to Hole in the Rock

Take Highway 12 east of the town of Escalante for about 5 miles; turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road.  Drive 55.5 miles on Hole in the Rock Road to its very end at a small, circular area where you can park.  Be sure to stock up on water, gas, and food before beginning this trek; it’s a long one with absolutely no services along the way.  You won’t even see a restroom, except at Devil’s Garden.  There are also a lot of really cool hiking opportunities along the Hole in the Rock Road, though, including Neon Canyon, the Dry Fork Slots (and part 2), Broken Bow Arch, and Coyote Gulch.


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Looking back at Lake Powell near sunset from Hole in the Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Looking back at Lake Powell near sunset

This Week’s Featured Product!

In love with hiking slot canyons?  This book is for you!  Covering 48 sites – many in Grand Staircase Escalante and along the Hole in the Rock Road – the author takes you to and through slot canyons in southern Utah and northern Arizona, ranging in difficulty from quite easy to rather adventurous.

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