Escalante Cross Trail

The Trail
This moderate trail is 1.4 miles long (one way) with about a 240 ft. elevation change. There is a good amount of up and down during the hike though, so just remember you will be climbing more than that. This trail ends at the Escalante Cross perched on the top a hill overlooking the valley.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts at the end of the Spanish Oaks Campground. There is no parking at the trailhead, but there is parking closer to the reservoir at the base of the campground, so be aware that you will have to walk up to the trail too.

There are clear signs labeling the right direction to go near the beginning of the trail. This trail shares a trailhead with several other trails, so knowing where you are headed in advance is helpful. You can find a map showing not only this trails but other trails in this area here. Soon after the beginning, hikers will start to encounter some other splits in the trail. Some of these are labeled with green dots on the topographical map above. Stay to the right at the first unlabeled trail split, and stay left thereafter.

At 0.3 mile up the trail, hikers will come to a prominent intersection in a well shaded area with a bench. The trails are labeled at this junction, and the Escalante Cross trail takes a sharp left to continue back and up the hill. Soon after this point, the landscape opens up as you leave the trees behind and start climbing again.

From here, the trail follows the ridgeline all the way to the cross.

Approaching Escalante Cross from the trail

Sign at the base of the cross

From the cross, there are great views of the valley below, including the Spanish Fork Reservoir and the windmills at the mouth of the canyon.

Desert Evening Primrose near the cross

Heading back along the trail

Directions
This trail is located in Spanish Fork in Utah County, UT. To get there, take I-15 to US-6 in Spanish Fork. Get off at Exit 257 and continue southeast to Powerhouse Rd. Turn right, continue to Spanish Oaks Dr. and turn left. Continue up this road past the reservoir to the campground. The trailhead is at the far end of the campground. You will have to park in the reservoir parking though. GPS coordinates: N40 04.149 W111 35.951.