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Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Upper Calf Creek Falls is neighbor to Lower Calf Creek Falls yet sees less than half the visitors. This hike is only 1.2 miles to a beautiful waterfall, and deep pools above the falls that make for a great swim.

About

The terrain is quite different from Lower Calf Creek Falls. The lower trail follows the bottom of a canyon, with tall red sandstone walls, and a lush green creek. The upper trail is more exposed, following a trail of old volcanic rock and is on top of the canyon. The rock at the pools above the falls is smoothed out over time, but be careful at the base of the falls – poison ivy lines the alcove.

You can easily hike both Lower & Upper Calf Creek Falls in one day. 6 miles for Lower and 3 for Upper make for a total of 9 miles in one day. I recommend hiking Lower first so there are less people in the morning hours, then head over to Upper afterwards. After hiking both trail, I highly recommend eating at The Burr Trail Grill – the burgers are sooo good! Plus they allow dogs on the patio!

Directions

Use this map if you are driving from Boulder, UT.

Use this map if you are driving from Escalante, UT.

Trail Info

Distance: 3 miles RT

Elevation gain: 537 ft (on the return hike)

Time: 1-2 hours

Dog friendly? Yes, off leash

Kid friendly? Yes

Fees/Permits? None

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls, Escalante, Utah

There is no sign for the turn off on HWY 12, but it’s between mile post 80 & 81 on the West side of the road. You’ll turn onto a dirt road, which ends in a dead end almost immediately.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

The trail starts on the West side of the parking area, with a registration box.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

As soon as you start the hike, you immediately descend about 200 ft. The rock is really sticky and grippy, but it’s still a good idea to wear shoes with good tread.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

The trail has a lot of old lava/volcanic rock.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

It’s important to carry at least 2 liters of water for yourself and for the dogs. The trail is very hot and dry. Good thing we’re headed to water!

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Hike through some sandy sections. Be careful hiking this when too hot – it can burn dogs paws.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Unique rock to walk over.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Eventually you’ll reach a small split in the trail (not signed). To get above the falls head right.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Charlie could hear the water and he took off!

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

The pool above Upper Calf Creek Falls is a great little swimming hole.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

One year I brought my pool floatie!

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

So nice!

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

The second upper water hole is perfect for cliff jumping!

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

On hot summer days this spot can be really crowded.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls\After you are done swimming at the top, head down to the base of the falls.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

Under this alcove was a ton of poison ivy – be careful! Don’t let the dogs touch it either because it will rub off on you.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls, Escalante, Utah

Upper Calf Creek Falls is an 88 ft waterfall.

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls, Escalante, Utah

The first time I hiked to Upper Calf Creek Falls was Memorial Day weekend in 2015 right after a big rainstorm (you can see my photo of Lower Creek Falls raging here). There was so much rain in the area that a second waterfall formed just to the left of the main Upper falls. Look how green everything looked! The temperatures were also much cooler in the 50Fs.

 

Trail Map

My track via Gaia GPS – the best tracking app! Get your app here for a discount.

 

Nearby Hike

Singletree Falls, Boulder Mountain

Hiking to Singletree Falls, Boulder Mountain, Utah

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Hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls

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