Primetime on the Esplanade

Shoulder season in Salt Lake is always a bit slow. The leaves have already peaked, the mountains are cold, and the winter snow hasn’t started to pile up yet. It’s the perfect time to escape to the Plateau.

A few friends from Jackson and Mt Shasta were scheduled to make the annual trip to the Plateau as well, so we synced up for a week trip wandering the esplanade and canyons around Kanab Creek.

I’ve been into Kanab a handful of times over the last ten years, but almost always on technical canyoneering loops. This trip was far more casual, so we set our targets on the iconic Kanab/Jumpup linkup that combines a handful of beautiful non-technical slots with some classic Esplanade exploring.

The redwall narrows in Jumpup are outstanding.

The Esplanade. Never gets old. Best sunrises and sunsets in the Canyon.

Sunrise over Jumpup and Racetrack Knoll.