Miles: 2.4 miles RT (shorter to just reach the first of the formations)
Elevation Gain/Highest: 140ft/4575ft
Favorite Eats After Hike: Pack A Cooler
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
My hike:
3/28/2018
The Toadstools Trail in Grand Escalante National Monument sits on US 89 between Page, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah and the perfect leg stretcher if you don’t have a lot of time but want to experience some of the unique geological features that the Southwest is known for.
The trail starts off by taking you down a old stream bed and along the colorful cliff formations of red, orange, and blueish grey.
There were quite a few people on the main red formation itself, so we followed the wash around to the right. We ventured up and onto the surrounding sandstone bench, making sure to stay on durable surfaces and avoid stepping on the tiny vegetation growing in places on the rock.
The toadstools, or conical spires left when softer rock underneath erodes leaving more dense rock suspended, were plentiful and stood out in contrast to the milky stone of the cliff walls. There were a few alcoves to explore that reminded me of walking into a cool cathedral with the walls appearing to “drip” with molten stone. If you have ever visited an underground cavern, it had the same feel.
About a quarter mile further, the toadstools are completely white with coffee colored tops. It was almost as if we were in a giant toddler’s playground the way the stone layers looked more intentionally stacked than remnants of our earth’s past. We could see out into the valley, across US 89 and into the Vermillion Cliffs beyond.
Making our way back, the moon had risen and furthered our impression that we were walking in another world. I took some time to scramble up on rocks around the main red spire to get a 360 view of the terrain.
Even on the way out, the trail still had more beauty to offer.
Directions: Drive east from Kanab and west from Page, the trailhead is on the north side of US 89 between MP 20 and 19. There is no water or bathrooms but they are available just west at the Paria Contact Station between MP 20 and 21. No permit is necessary and there is room for about 15 cars.
For more of the hikes we did this day, check out 4 Southwest Utah Hikes In One Day and We May Be Just A Little Bit Competitive.
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