Driving from Lake Powell to Escalante, Utah is one hell of a scenic route.
The few dirt roads that navigate the foreboding terrain give access to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Kaiparowits Plateau. It’s gorgeous country only seen by a few thanks to the rough roads and remote location.
Smoky Mountain Road starts in Big Water just up the road from Wahweap Marina. In Lake Powell backcountry I explored side trails to Warm Creek Bay and Alstrom Point before heading north into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The full length of Smoky Mountain Road is 78 miles from Big Water to the town of Escalante.
My route was a little longer as I broke off SMR about half-way to Escalante in order to reach Hole in the Rock Road via a narrow canyon link called Left Hand Collet Road.
By the time I had driven to the Hurricane Wash trailhead on Hole in the Rock Road, and finally to Escalante, I had driven more than 100 miles off pavement.
A great drive. Would love to do it again some day.
