Overlanding the Grand Staircase Day 1 - Smoky Mountain Road

This overlanding trip starts and ends in Escalante, and travels through the Grand Staircase - Escalante and Glen Canyon National Monuments of Utah. This scenic trail explores Smoky Mountain Road, Croton Road, Alstrom Point, Left Hand Collet Canyon, and Hole in the Rock Road and is a remote, 200-plus mile overlanding journey. Be aware that the only gas is in Escalante or Big Water. I took extra fuel and just to be safe, made the 26-mile round trip detour to Big Water to top off my tank.
Day 1 - Smoky Mountain Road: This scenic 73-mile-road starts in Escalante, Utah and travels over the Kaiparowits Plateau, as it winds through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Big Water, Utah. Smoky Mountain Road gets its name from the burning underground coal deposits on top of the Kiaparowits Plateau, in the Burning Hills Wilderness Study Area, just a couple of miles before starting down the steep and narrow but fun descent across, Kelly Grade and into the stark badlands, north of Big Water and Lake Powell. If you are overlanding, there is gas, but no restaurant in Big Water.

[@greglems206]

Cool trip! When you camp do you use a tent or sleep in the Jeep? Also I saw the map on your ipad, what software/app do you use to navigate?

[@terrymore1679]

I sleep in the Jeep. I started out in a ground tent but the winds in Utah make sleeping in a tent a challenge and if it rains stowing a wet tent is not fun either. I have a Goose Gear 100% rear seat delete, and I have space for all of my stuff; refrigerator, kitchen boxes, compressor, battery stations, etc., plus plenty of room for a bed. I use a Deep Sleep mattress which is very comfortable and with the front seat forward, there is plenty of room for someone less than ~6' 2". I use Gaia GPS software for my navigation.