Upper Calf Creek Falls

The Trail

This moderate mile long trail (one-way) has about a 540 ft elevation change. The trail ends at a small pleasant waterfall dropping into a rocky pool.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts from a sandy parking area. Be careful where you park, especially if you don't have four wheel drive, as the sand is deep in some spots. From the trailhead, the path begins with a steep descent down slickrock that gradually gives way to a trail mixed with rock and sand. The canyon where Calf Creek runs is clearly visible from the top.

Trailhead

Heading down steep slickrock; notice
the line of shadow where the canyon runs

The trail grows less steep as it goes and levels off overall as it draws near the canyon and Upper Calf Creek Falls.

As the path cuts closer to the canyon rim, the alcove near Lower Calf Creek Falls can be seen, and soon after that the falls also appear.

Alcove near Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls

The trail takes hikers right up to the top of Lower Calf Creek Falls, but to view this waterfall from its base you must take a different trail.

 

Above the top of Lower Calf Creek Falls sits a series of pools feeding the waterfall.

Follow the water streaming into these pools a short distance further to find the much shorter Upper Calf Creek Falls at the far end of a larger pool.

Upper Calf Creek Falls

After reaching the pool and waterfall, hike back the way you came.

This trail is open to leashed dogs. There are no restrooms at the trailhead.

Directions

This trail is located in Garfield County close to Boulder, Utah. It is also not far from Escalante, Utah. From Boulder, the trailhead is about 5.6 miles south along Hwy 12 and will be on your right. It is not well marked from the road, so you will have to watch for it, however signs will be visible after you drive down the dirt road to the parking area. To get there from Escalante, drive about 21.5 miles along Hwy 12 from the middle of the town and find the trailhead on the left near the top of the ridge the road follows. It will be about 10 minutes/5.8 miles from the turn off for Lower Calf Creek Falls. GPS Coordinates: N37° 51.559' W111° 26.262'

Sign in the parking area