Canyon walls make for scenic Narrows hikeWillis Creek

photos by deborah wall/special to viewTop, a hiker walks down the Willis Creek Narrows, located in the White Cliffs area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. Bottom, two headstones found in Averett Canyon mark the grave of Elijah Averett, a member of the Utah Territorial Militia who was slain in this canyon in 1866. photos by deborah wall/special to viewTop, a hiker walks down the Willis Creek Narrows, located in the White Cliffs area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. Bottom, two headstones found in Averett Canyon mark the grave of Elijah Averett, a member of the Utah Territorial Militia who was slain in this canyon in 1866. Advertisement

Narrows is a short but interesting hike located in the White Cliff area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah.

This hike can be done as a short day excursion, turned into a loop hike or added to other canyon hikes to get maximum value from a day or two in the vicinity. Although it's only hours from the furnace-like Las Vegas summer, the trailhead is about 6,000 feet above sea level, so daytime highs there are bearable.

From the large parking area, cross over the road and pick up the obvious worn path to the left side of the drainage. The trail first heads through a pinyon pine and juniper community, and then after a few minutes' walk, descends into the sandstone gorge of Willis Creek. For this hike, the streambed serves as your trail. Most of the time, there will be some water in the canyon, so be sure to wear the appropriate footwear.

To get to the Narrows, you will go left and continue downstream. Before you do that, however, take a detour to the right, upstream, and in a few minutes, you will be within a very nice, little slot canyon that ends with a small, seasonal waterfall. It isn't very high, perhaps 8 feet or so, but just looking at its wild, rippling waters is worth the walk, and sitting under them on a hot day is pure pleasure. Willis Creek, a tributary of the Paria River, starts its journey from the limestone pink cliffs in Bryce Canyon National Park just northeast of here. When it reaches this area, it carves its way down through Navajo sandstone.

After enjoying the waterfall, return downstream, past the point where you entered the streambed, and continue down the canyon. Most of the time, except during spring runoff or after extended periods of rain, the stream here will be gently flowing just a few inches deep. At first, you can skirt the water, but as the canyon becomes narrower, you inevitably will have to get your feet wet.

The canyon walls are not as tight as some, maybe 5 or 6 feet wide, but in some places, they rise above you 100 feet or more. With only a touch of sky visible, it makes for an awesome experience. Children will especially love this canyon as it contains no major obstacles and is therefore, as wash hikes go, fairly easy.

Since the best narrow sections are within the first mile or so, travel downstream until satisfied and return the way you came. But another option, if you are up for some extra walking, is to follow the canyon down about 11/4 miles and go left up Averett Canyon. This canyon has one difficult dryfall to get around at the beginning, but the rest of the way it is fairly easy. However, this canyon is mostly exposed to the sun, so start hiking it early in the day.

As you travel up Averett Canyon, keep an eye out for a worn spur trail on your left. It is a little tricky to find as there are many animal trails in this area. The correct one will lead you up a small rise within the pinyon juniper trees, where you will find two headstones. Both mark the grave of Elijah Averett (aka Everett), a member of the Utah Territorial Militia, who was buried here by his comrades after being killed by Indians in 1866. Follow the canyon upstream until you reach Skutumpah Road and then go left down the road and back to the Willis Creek Trailhead, where you presumably parked your transportation. This entire loop is about 3.6 miles.

For those who seek even more adventure and have canyoneering experience, there is a true slot canyon, named Bull Valley Gorge, just a couple of miles south of the Willis Creek trailhead along Skutumpah Road. Bull Valley Gorge is a strenuous, yet short hike that has a few difficult obstacles in the way of dryfalls to climb down at the beginning of the canyon. Never head down Bull Valley Gorge without being absolutely sure you can make it back up.

About 50 years ago, three local men were traveling down Skutumpah Road, plunged down into the gorge and were killed. The truck still remains in its final resting place. Later, it was partially covered with rocks, gravel and logs to stabilize a new bridge, but some of the truck is still visible. To see the entombed truck, take the Bull Valley Gorge access trail out about 20 yards from the road and carefully peek down into the canyon.

There are extreme drop-offs along this trail, so it isn't recommended for children or anyone scared of heights. To hike Bull Valley Gorge, continue down the trail about one-half mile, where you will find an easy way to drop into the gorge. From here, you can make your way downstream.

Primitive car camping is allowed off the side roads of Skutumpah Road. Look for pullouts that show signs of prior use. No camping is allowed at trailheads or within 300 feet of corrals, springs or streams.

Camping requires a permit, but the permit is free. You can self-permit at any trailhead register or get your permit at any of the monument's visitor centers. The closest to the Willis Creek Trail are the Kanab Visitor Center, 745 E. Highway 89, Kanab, or the Cannonville Visitor Center, 10 Center St., Cannonville. Inquire about fire restrictions.

Come prepared with any supplies and emergency equipment you might need as this gravel road is in a very rural area of the monument and there are no services, except in the towns mentioned above.

Trailheads are unsigned for the most part, so carry a good map and keep track of the miles you travel, both driving and on foot. Excellent maps of this area, with trailhead information and mileage, are available at the visitor centers.

Drive slowly on Skutumpah Road, as there are often cattle roaming around. Once I even came across two bison standing their ground in the middle of the road. If rain threatens, save this trip for another time. Not only does rain present the danger of flash flooding in the gorges, but it can make Skutumpah Road impassable even to four-wheel drive vehicles. Treat water before drinking or bring your own.

Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.