6) Edward Abbey Window (map disabled)

Please read the Introduction

A strenuous hike through some beautiful scenery to a special location. The trip passes through a canyon with spectacular Wingate walls, and includes some easy trail and wash walking. It also includes a challenging climb up out of Spring Canyon and views all the way to the LaSal Mountains.

TIME:9 - 11 hours.
ELEVATION GAIN:1200+ feet.
DIFFICULTY:Difficult route finding. Moderate scrambling.
MAP: Twin Rocks
GEOLOGY:A good view of a fault, beautifully stained walls and colorful formations.
CIRCLE TRIPNo.
ACCESS:From the Visitor Center drive 3.0 miles west on Utah Highway 24 to the marked Chimney Rock parking area.

From the parking lot follow the Chimney Rock trail (A) northeast. Go left (east) in a half mile at the first trail junction. In another three quarters of a mile go left at the signed junction saying "Spring Canyon". A trail goes a few yards into a wash where the route goes right (east), downstream.

Just a couple minutes down, the wash will make a hard right (south) turn and just past that turn there will be a trail going up the left (east) side of the wash. Take the trail and after 100 yards it will put you back in the wash. Two minutes down from the trail a tributary wash will come in from the left (north). Fifteen minutes later a second wash joins from the left. A smaller wash comes in from the left (north) five minutes later and in five more minutes you get to Spring Canyon. A sign to Highway 24 will point down Spring Canyon.

Turn left (north) and go up Spring Canyon. Five minutes up-canyon there is a grove of fifty or more Cottonwood trees and lots of Tamarisk spread along the wash. Walk 100 yards upstream from the end of the Cottonwood grove and look for a light colored sandstone band that is thirty feet or so above the wash on the right (north) side. (D) Turn right (north), leave the wash and walk to the top of that sandstone band.

On top of that first sandstone band the surface is rolling, dirt covered and vegetated. Continue up to the top of the next higher band of light colored sandstone. The top of that is a small flat topped hill. From the west edge of the hill there is a view of Spring Canyon as it continues west from a junction with a tributary canyon coming in from the north (Disappointment Canyon) (PN). Turn around 180 degrees and look at the wall of Spring Canyon as it comes up from the south. At the point where it should sweep around and up Disappointment Canyon there is a break. Walk up through the red brown boulders, then bear right (E) (southeast) and climb up the break staying as close as possible (B) to Spring Canyon.

Quick Directions: Look at the enclosed map and follow the route out of the canyon to its rim. Walk the rim north to the head of the canyon. Walk northwest up the drainage that feeds the canyon. Near the end of that drainage walk west to the top of the ridge. Walk that ridge northwest (about one mile) to the third high mound of red rock.

To avoid a maze of cairns going off in a myriad of directions, PLEASE do not build cairns anywhere between here and the Window. To aid in the return trip, frequently look back at where you have been and pick out little landmarks.

Not far up there will be a break in the right (south) wall (C) where you can look right down into Spring Canyon. After more scrambling, (G) there is a second break where you can look down into Spring Canyon.

About 200 scrambling feet beyond the second break start curving around to the left (north), following the boulders, and keeping the red/brown Wingate bedrock fairly close on the left. Continue climbing and bending left close to the bedrock. Eventually the bedrock will be buried in rubble (H).

At that point look up about parallel to Disappointment Canyon and find a blocky boulder above you that has a thin tan top then dark brown layers and striations, pock marks, and an "Out of this World" look. You want to be about twenty feet to the right (east) of that boulder. From where the bedrock gets buried; whether you have identified the boulder or not; turn right (east) and scramble a short distance to the top of a ridge. Turn left (north) on the ridge and follow it past the boulder, thru an area of brownish rocks, and up to a sort of leveling off spot (I).

There is a slight drop through a minor wash and a small area of sparse grass and trees. Before crossing the small wash, look more of less parallel to Disappointment canyon and find the lowest point in the ridge of rocks 125 yards or so ahead. There is a strange shaped little peak of rock on the left side of that low point and a tree in the background. Go to that low point (which is in a drainage) (J) and go up the drainage to its end. From the end of the drainage move left (northwest) across some easy walking for about 100 feet (toward a fat, mostly dead Juniper) and on to the yellowish/brown streaked bedrock. On the bedrock (K) bear off to the left (north) some to enjoy the good footing as long as possible. At the drop off go between it and the rocks bearing slightly right (northeast).

The goal is to get to the base of the high cliffs ahead on the horizon and pass them on the left (west). The best route is to stay left fairly close to Disappointment Canyon.

Cross one drainage and walk another slickrock ramp toward the high cliffs. When that ramp runs out (L) go up and pass to the left (west) of an outcrop of platey, holey red rock ahead. Walk along beside the red layer parallel to the canyon for a ways then where it sweeps across in front of you, cross and get above it.

Continue in the same general direction staying about fifty feet east of the canyon rim. Some welcome easyish walking ends in one last short climb to the top (Z). Once on top, pause and look directly across Disappointment Canyon to the high point on the horizon. Follow the horizon to the right to a more distant large high point. An intermediate goal is to get to the base of that second high point on the left (Southwest) side. Keep an eye on it.

The first chore is to get around the head of Disappointment Canyon. Stay at about the same level and walk parallel to the canyon within 300 feet of the rim for three or more minutes. Lower benches will develop between the level you are on and the edge of the canyon. When convenient, go down one bench level (about thirty feet) and walk that bench. Approaching the head of the canyon go down a little to cross the first large wash going into the canyon.

At that wash turn left (northwest) and contour around to the main wash feeding the canyon. (F) Where the main wash makes its first drop into the canyon look upstream and notice that two washes come together just ten feet or so above the drop. Go up the left (Northwest) fork.

Not far up the wash there is an interesting little area that includes a natural bridge/pour-over combination. After examining that, back up a few yards, climb out on the southwest side of the wash and go around the pour-over. Follow the wash for quite a ways (go left (west) at a sandy junction) until heavy brush makes wash walking a problem. At that time move again up on the left (southwest) side of the wash and make your way up canyon.

When close to and southwest of the high point you have been keeping an eye on, notice that the drainage you are in comes to an abrupt (cliff wall) end 200 yards or so ahead.

The next goal is to reach the top of the ridge on the left (west). Leave the drainage and angle left (northwest) to the top of the ridge (R) where you can look down into upper Spring Canyon. Once on the ridge the trip is made. Turn right (north), go along the ridge, and pass to the right (east) of any cliffs. The first really high mass of Wingate along the ridge is called "The Crown" (El.7238). It has a very distinctive shape when seen from a distance. Walk along the northeast base of The Crown and follow the ridge to the next high mass of Wingate called "The Horns". When you get there, go around to the right (east) and as you start around, look up toward the top of the first cliff. There is a crack near the top. Go to a point where you can get the best view of that crack and its inclusion.

When ready, look ahead along the same ridge and a third mass of Wingate is one quarter mile ahead but a bit lower. Edward Abbey Window is in that mass but very difficult to pick out from this vantage point. Walk along the right (east) side of The Horns and along the ridge or the right side of it. Before reaching the next mass of Wingate the Window (PN) in it will be obvious.

Missing picture

Please do not camp within 1/2 mile of the window.


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