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Explore Lake Powell's Clear Creek Canyon by Powerboat

Lake Powell, Utah

Description

Added by Austin Jackson

Explore this remote canyon, where you will likely be all by yourself. Clear Creek Canyon will be one of the highlights of your trip, and offers great opportunity for photography and exploring.

To access this adventure, you'll want to park at Bullfrog Marina. From there, you can rent a boat at the Bullfrog Marina Rentals, and head out straight from there, going south on the lake. Clear Creek Canyon lies about 2.5 miles past the entrance to the Escalante River Arm, which is located between miles 68 and 69. It is important to note that this is only accessible via boat, and due to the remoteness of the canyon, you will need a power boat. This canyon is about 26 miles from Bullfrog/Hall's Creek Marina, and 69 miles from Wahweep Marina. It is recommended to come from Bullfrog/Hall's Creek Marina if you are just doing a day trip. I would recommend talking to one of the people at the rentals dock for help getting here, as it can be tricky! Another thing that proved to be very helpful was the map we bought in the gift shop on our first day. We used the map almost every day of our trip!

Once you reach the mouth of the canyon, you will be in awe of the tall walls and thin canyons. This canyon gets very narrow, so be careful not to hit the walls with your boat. As you continue going back into the canyon, the walls will get thinner and thinner, until you finally reach the back of the canyon, where a small waterfall may or may not be dried up. If you look carefully, you will see a rope on the left side of the canyon that will not only help you up the hill (if you choose to get out of the boat), but also it will allow you to tie your boat down.

Once you've tied your boat, you can get out and use the rope to help get up the hill. Once you reach the top of the hill, you will see down into a little pool and another small waterfall, which was nearly all dried up when we went in September. If you hike down to the pool, you will see another rope which leads up and above the waterfall you are looking at. This rope is not for just anyone, as it is just a straight up climb for 10-15 feet. If you do opt to go up this rope, be aware that you will have to come down, which could prove to be more difficult. Often, the rocks are very slippery due to the waterfall.

If you do decide to continue on, you will be able to walk for a little ways longer, and you'll come to another waterfall, but this rope is much easier and not straight up. You will then walk a bit longer and come to a spot where a very tall waterfall would be if it is not dried up. 

At this point, it is time to turn back. You will get back down to your boat and leave the area untouched for the next explorers to come through. After you exit the canyon, I highly recommend you check out the other canyons on the Escalante River Arm!

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Kayaking
Hiking
Lake
Scenic
Waterfall

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