Today got off to a disappointing start and ended with a grand finish. After losing the lottery to get an elusive permit to see the Wave and finding out that everything else we wanted to do was flooded or off a closed road, we decided to drive to the promised land of Escalante, UT. Thankfully conditions were better up there and the last flash flood was two weeks prior. Despite our late arrival to Escalante, we decided to attempt the technical route of Calf Creek. We rappelled Upper Calf Creek Falls, a 85 foot, mostly free-hanging drop next to the falls, which just missed a plunge into the pool at its base. From here we hiked several miles down the beautiful Calf Creek, mostly staying in the creek and not seeing another human (lots of fish though!). After what seemed like a very long way we found ourselves at the awe-spiring and very daunting terminal pour-off of Lower Calf Creek Falls. Here the water plunges 130 feet into a pool rimmed by cottonwoods and towering, overhanging cliffs. After some deliberation about anchor possibilities and much procrastination, we set up the 150 foot rappel down the falls. An absolutely fantastic rappel- one of the top 5 I've ever done (click on photo above). Lower Calf Creek Falls is amazing- the kind of place you expect as a finale to a 5 day backpacking trip, not a couple miles hike from a paved road. After a little effort pulling the ropes down, we hiked down the canyon to the campground in the dusk and dark. We then walked for 1.5 miles along the road until we were able to hitchhike the remaining 4 miles to our car. The wind in my hair, the refreshing breeze and the moon rising as I sat in the bed of the truck as it climbed the narrow ridge back to our car was a glorious end to the day. We didn't get back to our vehicle until after 10PM. One of the better days of the Escalante trip.
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