Grand Staircase Escalante, Eastern San Juan River

I am planning a trip to Grand Staircase Escalante, for August,, 2-3 days I am looking for a partner or two or three to go out there. Dogs and Kids are fine, but please make sure they are old enough and experienced enough to hike up to 6 miles in the desert with a backpack, and no aggressive dogs. I will be travelling from Gallup, NM and will be going up a road by vehicle, then offroad through a very small part of Navajo Nation land and onto Federal Land (San Juan River banks) I have Navajo Nation access permission due to being a relative. The location I am going to is on Federal Land, but, the road that leads to the location I am visiting is on Navajo land.

So, we will go up that trail, hike in about 3 miles to the location and camp on the San Juan River. I don't care what you want to do, if you are hunting or fishing, fine, as long as it is legal. Certainly Navajo Nation permits are inexpensive. I only bring my rifle for protection.

I also have an interest in securing some clay from the river area for art purposes which I am acquiring a permit for.

The location is north of Monitor Butte (not central Utah, Southern), off of sjc rd 423

This is an unusual trip, and, perhaps a bit off the beaten track, but it is very secluded I'm sure, and there is the river to cool off in.

A little about me:

I am an artist, interested in stargazing and science. I don't care if you're religious or atheist, just no iconoclasts or proselytizers please. It's okay if you want to talk about theology. I am a talkative person, so you should know that and not be annoyed about it. Both my parents are pipe carriers so if you are interested in aspects of American Indian ritual belief I can tell you more about that.

I have extensive experience in Northern Idaho wilderness, Washington Pacific Northwest advanced trail systems, light Pacific Northwest Washington wilderness, extensive Eastern Washington wilderness navigation.

I have no experience with desert hiking, but I do live here and know the climate and the challenges of the altitude and dryness.

360-688-1242

The San Jaun doesnt run through the Grand Staircase, the Escalante river does and none of it is on Navajo reservation. The San Jaun is. You need a backcountry permit for the San Juan and anything around Cedar Mesa.

I am a regular backpacker to southern Utah. I know about almost every canyon there. You are going in August which is still Monsoon season which means flash floods which can mean death. Do your research before even attempting a southern Utah backpacking trip. Canyon hiking is a whole other monster compared to mountain hiking. Without any experience I wouldn't venture off without someone who knows the area. A GPS isnt going to help you in a canyon. If your map reading skills are not top notch then you have no business in any of the back country in Southern Utah. I cant stress this enough.

The San Juan flows into Lake Powell and runs through parts of Glen Canyon National Recreational on the eastern side. On the western side of Glen Canyon is the border of The Grand Staircase.