Canaan Peak, Barney Top, and Finishing the Loop! | GEL Part 12

The final chapter of my 33-day trek around southern Utah in spring 2023. In this episode I make my way through the mudhills of the Kaiparowits Plateau and to the higher elevations around Canaan Peak. From there I continue north to the Table Cliff Plateau and must hike through snow around Powell Point and Barney Top. The final day was a race against a big storm to finish the hike by closing the loop and getting back to Escalante.
This is the extended series for my hike and includes a bunch more footage and stories not seen in the original all-in-one overview video. This 12-part series takes a deeper dive into the route I dubbed the Grand Escalante Loop and covers over 400 miles through southern Utah's amazing canyon country, remote plateaus, and high elevations. It was a slow go at times, but still a great hike. 2023 was a unique year with record-breaking snowpack over winter and a rainy spring. Thanks for following along!
NOTES:
-- the fossil photo shown in the video is by Cory Richards via an article on GSENM. I believe it was also used on an older brochure for the monument, but can't confirm that.
-- I'm still opposed to trophy hunting, but including bears in that category may not be correct. According to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, culling a limited amount of adult male bears actually helps juveniles/sows survive and in turn increases the bear population. Evidently the meat and hide are both frequently used as well -- so it's more than a trophy for most hunters.
The original Overview Video:
• The Grand Escalante Lo...
Detailed map of the route on my website:
www.acrossutah....
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Thanks for watching and following along! 🌞✌

[@jonallan392]

Bravo! Epic as always. Thanks for the ride.

[@MrProach2]

The whole series was stunning, as are all of yours, so thanks very much Jamal! I'm a Brit who loves southern Utah, and I have come over the pond to visit many times in my 61 years. Some by hiking (but not as long as you do) and some by Canyoneering, and some by viewing the overhead in my vintage aircraft. I was flying nearly over the same territory in May 2023 and in the Utah backcountry at Happy Canyon and nearby, saw the same flower bloom. I'll be back Sept 2024. Rob

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! That would be very cool flying over southern Utah in a small aircraft. I've gone over it a few times on bigger flight and even that it pretty cool from 30K+ feet! Thanks for watching and the comment. ✌

[@jameshudspeth7622]

Excellent Series Jamal.. I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much for this... Very enjoyable and thanks for all the hard work..

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much -- glad to hear that you enjoyed the series (and glad I have finally shared the full story!) Cheers! 🌞✌

[@geli.s24]

Hi Jamal, thank you for sharing your journey with us! This shortens our waiting time until September! We would be happy to see videos from 2024. Until then, stay healthy! Warm greetings from Germany

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! I had to skip my spring hike due to a knee injury, but I reallllly hope to be back out there soon (hopefully this fall.) Thanks again for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@geli.s24]

@@Acrossutah If you wear your orange shirt, we will recognize you in fall. 😂Good luck.

[@Dany-ii5lu]

Another one for the books!!! Thanks for taking me along... love your videos! Big hug from Germany 🤗

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@Desertkns60]

Impressive in every aspect from scenery & route to filming and narrative. Great trip , congratulations and THANK YOU!!!

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@roberttalmadge8874]

Great hike, great video series. Keep on hiking and taking us with you!

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks -- most appreciated! Hope to be back out there before too long. 🌞✌

[@vincedavis5326]

Thanks for sharing your trip. That was an impressive undertaking. Awesome!

[@Acrossutah]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@TheWayOutdoors]

What a finale!! Those views headed up towards Canaan Peak in the afternoon were glorious. The mix of vegetation headed up the Grey Hills is so unique with the pines and desert backdrop. I know so many people who are unaware of how high in elevation the Colorado Plateau is in Utah, which gives it a unique beauty found rarely. Who would have thought snow?! Glad you finished the trip, and I hope the beer and burger were fantastic! Can't wait to see what you hiked this year. Cheers, and Safe Trails Jamal!

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Yeah, even though I LOVE canyon country, I really enjoyed the diversity on this hike and the higher elevations to close out the loop. I've been hobbled this year by a knee injury, but... it's improving and I plan to be back out on the trail soon. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@tonylopes911]

It's bittersweet. I loved that you completed the loop, but sad that this will be the last video. What an awesome journey, Jamal! I'm really looking forward to your next adventure, and by the way, you're my favorite vlogger, and it's not even close!

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you -- that's very nice and I really appreciate it. Had a minor setback with my knee this year, but I hope to be back out there doing something new before too long. Thanks for watching! 🌞✌

[@JC-3410]

Ditto

[@jeepdude67]

thank you, Jamal, for allowing me to live vicariously through your adventures. I live in the flatlands of Florida, but we head out to Utah usually every other year and enjoy the wide open spaces. One day, my wife and I plan on following segments of your travels. Thanks for these videos.

[@Acrossutah]

Very cool -- thanks for "following along". I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@arizjones]

Thanks again for another great video. Good to see some high country to add to the diversity of Utah type terrain. You really live a blessed life. This area has become a favorite for me when I have a little time. Went up there in late May and hiked Death Hollow for my third time and did some hiking in Upper Muley Twist. I cannot get enough of it. Your videos always inspire me and give me a lift. And get me excited to go and explore again. Thanks Jamal.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks, ArizJones -- that's very appreciated. It was definitely the intent of the hike to enjoy some variety with the higher elevation stuff. Still bummed I didn't quite get to experience as much of it as I hoped, but... that just leaves more for next time! 😉✌

[@garyonnen7634]

Good fun as always. The thing I like about your channel is the binge watching I do at a later date. Looking forward to your next trip thanks.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! And... glad to hear it. I've considered if it might be better to release ALL the videos at once so people could binge them right away. Not sure, but... not sure we'll ever find out I fear that would just take longer for me to get them done (I get distracted often and that's why there are breaks between episodes sometimes!) Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@Stellamaeby]

Congrats Jamal on an amazing trip and a fantastic documentary. Cheers man

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! Glad to have you "following along". Cheers! 🌞✌

[@just_joc]

Thanks, Jamal, for sharing another epic Utah adventure! Can't wait for the next one, I'll have to just rewatch your old videos😂 which never get old, btw!

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! Yeah, might be in "re-run" mode for a little while -- but hopefully not too long. 🤞 Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞

[@lilianm7151]

Total count Mollies Nipple : 3. Thanks for sharing your adventure, always a pleasure to come along,

[@Acrossutah]

Haha -- that's actually more than I expected for NOT really going that close to Mollies Nipple on this hike. Thanks again for watching and the comments. 🌞✌

[@jeffMinnesota952]

another great hike, thanks Jamal

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! 🌞✌

[@carlshakespear7345]

The. Wahweep , Canaan peak area is my favorite area for grazing cattle, hunting deer, bears, and deer. Thanks.

[@Acrossutah]

It's a very nice area. I learned more about hunting after my hike and added some info to the description. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@JamesRobertSmith]

Holy Moley! Amazing!

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks -- that's very kind. 🌞✌

[@CanyonsCalling]

Really enjoyed following along! Lots of ideas here for Escalante Loops both grand and petite.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks -- most appreciated! Yes, so many good loop options in the area and really... in most cases this one should be able to be done MUCH faster than I did this time around (but... I don't regret taking it slow.) Thanks again for watching. 🌞✌

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

What a journey! We just returned from visiting Escalante so we can appreciate what you accomplished. We did visit and looked down into Upper Box. What a view! Thank you sharing your adventures and the journey!😀😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍👍

[@Acrossutah]

Very cool -- hope you had a good trip. Thanks for watching the series as well as the comments and emojis along the way! 😉👍👍👍✌

[@joycemoulis4392]

Thanks for taking us along! Beautiful flowers this trip!!! Safe and happy travels to you from tour followers in O.P. KS😊

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah, it was definitely the best flower year I've ever seen out there. I think some former high school friends live in OP! Cheers! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@NorwegianXplorer]

Thanks for an epic journey Jamal!

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much, Jarl -- most appreciated! 🌞✌

[@davidogle9247]

You treked another area I really wondered about while driving down UT 12. The wilderness around Cannan Peak made me curious. I can't explain why exactly. I think you just put Powell Point on my list... Man, I can't wait till you do it again already! We'll be waiting for your next series! Until next time, be careful!!!

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! Getting out to Powel Point later in the season isn't that hard as many vehicles can drive most of the way (high clearance would probably be best though.) The road ends about 3/4 mile short of the point and it's a good trail from there. Thanks again for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@slagmaker6780]

Loved both the short format and long format! Hope you can get back to doing these as your knee gets better!

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! Yes, hoping to be back out there possibly this fall for more adventure. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@mikekuhl2658]

Another awesome video! The view from Powell Point was amazing. I will will have to hike up there sometime.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Later in the season the road down to near the point should be in pretty good shape -- it seems like it would be a pretty easy drive after the snow/mud is gone. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@silverado5325]

As my Dad used to say when he was impressed. "He is tougher than a two dollar steak". Could not agree more. Anyone who can wear a single shirt for that long gets my respect. Now we have to wait a year for this years series. Bravo Jamal.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@JohnTheLuck3]

Many thanks for this great extended series!. Added a few places to my bucket list. I can' wait to watch your upcoming videos from this year.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Unforutnaly I had to cancel my spring trip due to a knee injury, but hoping to be back out there this fall. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@JohnTheLuck3]

@@Acrossutah I remember you mentioning that you cancelled your spring long hike. I was referring to the shorter hikes you said you would do instead. I am guessing that should happen during the fall because of the very high summer temperatures.

[@Acrossutah]

@@JohnTheLuck3 Yeah, I did do a few short overnight hikes in Big Bend and elsewhere in Texas -- but no video for those. I had to forgo my Angels Landing permit along with my spring hike, but still hope for a possible mountain hike this summer or something bigger in Utah this fall when it cools down. Things are a bit up in the air, but I'm anxious to get back out there. Thanks!

[@martinforrester8249]

Another great adventure Jamal, in my favourite State. You still had boundless energy, after sleep depredation due to your mattress malfunctioning. I shall miss my regular fix now, until the next time. Fortunately, i have them all saved, so can relive them again.

[@Acrossutah]

Great to hear -- thanks! Hoping for a new trip this fall if things work out. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@janwellington8663]

Jamal, you've re-awakened so many memories of my most beloved places. I totally get why you keep coming back. Thank you!

[@Acrossutah]

Great to hear -- glad you enjoy the vids. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@Javaslinger7730]

And I thought waiting for each weeks episode was bad... Now I have to wait for a whole new season!!! Hope you back out there soon with a NEW PAD!!!! ;)

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- hopefully I'm back out there before too long (contemplating another trip this fall.) Yes... already have TWO new pads which seem to be working out so far. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@dirtyjarhikes]

Your website was essential for our Hayduke hike. We really enjoyed reading your blog and asking ourselves in tricky situations, "what would Jamal do??" haha. Congrats on another desert adventure. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude is inspiring.

[@Acrossutah]

Haha -- that's awesome! WWJD in a whole new context! 😉 Glad the site helped you out on your hike. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@dirtyjarhikes]

@@Acrossutah in Jamal we trust! Escalante is such a cool place to end. We think about the pizza there all the time. Happy hiking for ya.

[@westcoastislander6699]

Aarg! He's walking on the crypto crust! Nope! Thanks for the instant clarification! Still amazed at the flowers. We have driven past Powell Pt many times on the highway, and every time I have looked up and thought we should go up there... some day. This was so much fun. Can't wait until next year. Thank you!

[@Acrossutah]

Haha -- thanks! Yeah, I knew at the time that it sure looked like crypto (had to double-check it myself) and thus thought I should ward off any angry comments. Later in the season it shouldn't be too hard to get out to Powell Point as that backroad goes fairly close to the overlook. Thanks again for watching the series and the comments along the way. 🌞✌

[@justinellison4117]

My wife and I hiked down crack in the wall, up Steven’s, down Fold, to the river, up the Bobway, along Kings Mesa to Sleepy Hollow, up Coyote to the arch, climbed out, and we only saw people the first hour near crack in the wall, the second week of April. Utah is amazing.

[@Acrossutah]

That's great! Not sure if you caught it, but in an earlier episode I shared that that was my plan for this trip (ie Bobway to Sleepy Hollow) but alas I opted to save that for another trip and just go up Coyote. Hope you had a great hike and thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@jerryphillips7330]

Jamal--Thanks for taking me along. My hat off to you to complete this journey. You know the area better than the gov't rangers. So, where did you hike in the spring of 2024? Last parting idea, that lost Go Pro is still waiting for you outside of Green River.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! I actually had to take this past spring off due to a knee injury. 👎😟 BUT... hoping I'll be back out there this fall for a decent hike. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@WJr_88]

The pinecone... I had to look closely... Thought it was on your head at first. That orange shirt is kind of your trademark... If I was anywhere in Utah and I saw someone hiking wearing a Utah Orange Shirt, I would definitely have to do a double take thinking it was you... Hopefully one day I get to meet you and Mr Shadow in person! Powell Point was an amazing surprise. When I see the Benchmarks, I always take a photo of them to add to my collection. I love seeing traces of snow out west like that. Great ending Jamal. Thank you ✌️

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much! Yeah, I'd said there's a good chance of us crossing paths one day. BTW.. I did find a new orange shirt -- I don't like it as much, but it's definitely likely to make the rotation. 😉 Thanks for "following along" and all the comments along the way. ✌

[@imbdileva]

Thanks for another great series. Can't wait for the next series. Your content is inspiring, to say the least! We overland and do day hikes. Your vids give us great ideas of where to go and what to see. Thank you.

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! Hoping for another hike this fall. I appreciate you "following along"! 🌞✌

[@StereoSpace]

This was an epic trip, Jamal. Loved it.

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you -- I appreciate you for watching and the comments along the way. 🌞✌

[@mathewgraves1741]

Another awesome video! Keep them coming. Most (not all) bear hunters eat the meat (delicious and better for you than anything from the store) and usually sell or keep the hide. 🙂

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! And yeah, with a bit of research afterwards I realized that I wasn't really correct in my assumption re: bears which is why I added the on-screen text referring to added info in the description. I almost cut the entire bit out, but still thought it was interesting to run into those guys out there. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@potatothorn]

powell point, Spectacular... so you had to change it a little./ you still got all those days out in the canyons, doesnt get much better/ awesome hike thanks for taking us with you.we get to do our little hike next week, we'll be thinking of you while backpacking in yosemite/ Roxana was excited to see you walking in Escalante : :"we've walked right there " ahahha

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Have a good trip to Yosemite. I'm planning on getting up into the Sierra soon myself (gotta prep for those mosquitos first!) Cheers! 🌞✌

[@tigertroutking8663]

I've been out on Powell Point several times. A couple of those times were during a thunderstorm. That's not a good place to be when a thunderstorm rolls!

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- I could imagine there would be quite a few lightening strikes out there. But... it would be a cool place to watch a storm roll through nearby. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@johntuttle4486]

Another good one! Thanks for taking us along!

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you for watching! And for the comments on the episodes -- most appreciated. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@lyndonreddick1888]

Ah-ha, I see you did go by a Blue Wash as I had left a comment on your Instagram post a few days ago about being in the Blues area, combined with a possible Dino fossil find- I was right! As for your missing the Pariah, Coxcomb, etc. doesn't matter- we've seen that area numerous times 🥴. Beautiful shots of and on Powell point and looking at the storm chasing you and trucking into Escalante with darkening sky. Awesome trek man!

[@Acrossutah]

Yep -- as I said there "good eye". In fact atop Powell Point I would have been looking right down on The Blues if I'd been willing to get closer to the edge! Thanks so much for watching the series and leaving comments along the way. Cheers! 🌞✌

[@lyndonreddick1888]

@@Acrossutah I hadn't seen the full video then, but I did and also recall that the little sign Blue Wash was fairly close to Rte. 12. the crossing of which was not included on the way north. It is a sort of eerie place. 😬 Also liked how you covered some of the gear pros and cons, plus the food caches. I myself like the Sweetwater filter. Don't mind pumping 😝

[@joongchanoh2667]

Respect, respect nothing but respect! Thanks

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you. I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@Udink]

Dang it...I couldn't find the survey marker at Powell Point when I was there, and now I know why! Being at ground level it's not difficult for it to become covered in a thin layer of dirt and gravel.

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- as soon as I started reading your comment I was wondering if its was covered in snow or dust. The way it's positioned it really wouldn't take much for it to be obscured. Just a reason to go back! 🌞✌

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Great series! I was wondering about the bear... of course in the water areas. I saw the one image you showed of your food bag hung up, but not until you were in the mountain area. Do you have to protect it down in the desert too?

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! I didn't talk about it in the video, but along my original planned route I actually had another cache near Bryce Canyon which was IN a bear canister. The hope was to have it while hiking through the area where bears are most common. However -- the deviation changed that and thus I had to hang the food bag. Outside of bear country I actually sleep with my food bag. I've had many people criticize me for this tactic, but in all my years I've never had a critter try to get inside my tent with me in it to get to my food. Thanks again for watching and the comment! 🌞✌

[@DebbieHumphries-jm9ig]

Sorry to see the adventure end. Anything new this year?

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Unfortunately I had to skip my spring hike due to a knee injury, BUT... hoping to be back out there this fall so as to not miss an entire year. Thanks for watching and the comments on the episodes. 🌞✌

[@loricollins3163]

@@AcrossutahOh goodness! Take good care of those knees! ‘Click’ ✌️

[@danphillips2342]

Really enjoy your Content. Wish I had the resources to do these long through hikes. Have you reached out to your failed gear manufacturers?

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! IMHO the biggest resource needed is TIME and in theory it's often possible to make that feasible with some planning and saving (it was hard to convince my old boss for the time off, but we finally came up with a plan.) And YES -- Platypus was fairly helpful and sent me a replacement bag (though it looks the same so I fear I'll have a problem again). Klymit on the other hand wanted me to ship back the air mattress for "evaluation" and said that a leak would likely be deemed "normal wear and tear" and thus not covered. 😒 I ended up not messing with it and just got a different pad. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@JudyP42]

Thanks again for the great videos. Hope your knee is doing better!

[@trinidadscorpion3835]

It's always fun to follow you along on your trips. Looking forward to the next trip. Stay safe.

[@Acrossutah]

Thank you! I had to skip my spring hike due to a knee injury, BUT... I'm hoping to be back out there this fall so as to not have to wait a full year. Thanks for watching and the comments on the episodes. 🌞✌