These impacts include cleaning and removing campfire rings, picking up trash, and raking out tracks left by vehicles traveling off designated roads. Our Spencer Flat days are full of teamwork, great discussions, and making a big difference on the ground! 

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

Hiking for this project will be limited since most camp areas are accessed by car, but volunteers should be able to walk across uneven terrain for up to 2 miles. Volunteers should be able to bend repeatedly and lift between 20-30 pounds. If volunteers would like to drive, 2WD high clearance will be sufficient.

Abbreviated Itinerary

•  Option 1: 

•  8:30 am: Meet at Grand Staircase Escalante Partners Headquarters at 530 West Main Street, Escalante, UT

• Option 2: 

•  9:00 am: Meet at the turn for Spencer Flat Road 

•  9-9:30 am: Coffee, tea, and hot coco provided. Safety talk and task overview.

• 9:30 am - 4 pm: Complete project tasks, taking snack and lunch breaks as needed.

Needed Gear

•  Long-sleeved work shirt and pants that you don't mind getting dirty

•  Closed-toe shoes

•  Eye protection (sunglasses are fine)

•  Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)

•  Lunch

•  Snacks

•  At least 2 liters of water

Provided Gear

•  Work gloves

• Face masks

•  Extra water

•  All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS

Project Description

In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, GSEP is organizing a stewardship project to remediate impacts at the Toadstools off 89A outside of Kanab and improve the White House Campground. From April 4th-6th, volunteers will focus on these highly impacted recreation areas by clearing brush, installing signs, removing invasive species like Russian thistle, remediating graffiti, and removing trash. This project offers a hands-on opportunity to help preserve and enhance the natural beauty and accessibility of these significant sites within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Join us in making a tangible impact on our public lands!

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

Volunteers should have the ability to hike 3 miles per day and lift 30-40lbs throughout the work day. 

Abbreviated Itinerary

•  Thursday, April 3rd - The Volunteer group meets midday at a time/place TBD. The group will go through check-in, introductions, and orientation, and will help set up camp in preparation for the work week ahead.

•  Friday, April 4th - Workday

•  Saturday, April 5th - Workday

•  Sunday, April 6th - Half workday / Break down camp, goodbyes, and depart

Needed Gear

Equipment List

Provided Gear

•  Work gloves

• Face masks

•  Water

•  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, and tea

•  Groover system

•  Camp kitchen

•  All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS

Project Description

Sign-ups for this project are through Wilderness Volunteers. To sign up, please visit https://wildernessvolunteers.org/wv-project/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument-spring-2/

In partnership with Wilderness Volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management, GSEP will help remediate visitor impacts on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along the popular Egypt Road. 

Volunteers will help address camping impacts like campfires, tree cutting, vehicle trespass, large trash removal and new site creation. This project may also include addressing and remediating scratched-in and drawn-on graffiti in sandstone canyons and trail work to improve signage and cairn reconstruction and refinement. 

Recommended Ability Level

Volunteers should have the ability to hike 3-5 miles per day and lift 30-40lbs throughout the work day. 

Abbreviated Itinerary

• Thursday, April 17th. The group will meet midday at  GSEP Headquarters in Escalante, UT, at 530 West Main Street to go through introductions and project orientation and will help set up camp in preparation for the work week ahead.

• Friday, April 18th. Workday.

• Saturday, April 19th. Workday.

• Sunday, April 20th. Day off.

• Monday, April 21st. Workday.

• Tuesday, April 22nd. Workday.

• Wednesday April 23rd. Break down camp, goodbyes, and depart.

Needed Gear

Equipment List

Provided Gear

• Work gloves

• Face masks

• Water

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, and tea

• Groover system

• Camp kitchen

• All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS

Project Description

Sign-ups for this project will be through Hiking My Feelings. You can find information and the sign-up here: https://hikingmyfeelings.org/grand-staircase-escalante-retreat

Welcome to the Hike + Heal Grand Staircase Escalante, an immersive experience designed to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This unique retreat seamlessly combines environmental stewardship, self-discovery, and the serenity of nature to create an unforgettable journey. For the stewardship component of this program, we will be remediating visitor impacts like graffiti, social trails, and trash at the Dry Fork Narrows (also known as Peekaboo and Spooky slot canyons). 

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Ability level

The hike through the canyon is estimated at 5 miles round trip. The hike is through deep sand and undulating slick rock with steep inclines and declines. The Peek-A-Boo and Spooky slot canyons are skinny and can be physically rigorous to maneuver through. There are two exposed features, with heights at 20 and 15 feet. You will need to carry a day pack with at least 2 liters of water, lunch and snacks, personal gear and work gear for the entirety of the hike as we will not be near camp or vehicles. 

Abbreviated Itinerary

•  Thursday, May 1st -- The group will meet midday at  GSEP Headquarters in Escalante, UT, at 530 West Main Street to go through introductions and project orientation

•  Friday, May 2nd – Hiking My Feelings Program and stewardship projects

•  Saturday, May 3rd – Hiking My Feelings Program and stewardship projects

• Sunday, May 4th – Hiking My Feelings Program, pack up camp, and depart

Needed Gear

Equipment List

Provided Gear

•  Work gloves

•  Water

•  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, and tea

•  Groover system

•  Camp kitchen

•  All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS

Trip Description

We are partnering with the Bureau of Land Management to address impacts at the iconic Willis Creek slot canyon on the Northwestern side of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We will spend the day hiking through this spectacular canyon while picking up trash and remediating graffiti on the canyon walls. We may help with other projects in the area including sign repair, raking out tracks left by vehicles traveling off designated roads, correcting cairns, installing rock baskets and naturalizing social trails.

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

This project requires around 5 miles of hiking and the ability to lift up to 20 pounds. You will need to carry a day pack with at least 2 liters of water, lunch and snacks, personal gear and work gear for the entirety of the hike as we will not be near trailheads or vehicles. If volunteers would like to drive, 2WD high clearance will be sufficient.

Abbreviated Itinerary

•  Option 1: 

•  8:30 am: Meet at Grand Staircase Escalante Partners Headquarters at 530 West Main Street, Escalante, UT

•  8:30-9:00 am: Coffee, tea, and hot coco provided. Safety talk and task overview.

• 9:30 am - 4 pm: Complete project tasks, taking snack and lunch breaks as needed.

Needed Gear

•  Long-sleeved work shirt and pants that you don't mind getting dirty

•  Close-toed shoes

•  Eye protection (sunglasses are fine)

•  Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)

•  Lunch

•  Snacks

•  At least 2 liters of water

Provided Gear

•  Work gloves

• Face masks

•  Extra water

•  All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS

Project Description

This is a 3 day, 2 night backpacking project June 13th-15th. Volunteers will need to provide their own backpacking gear and food (packing list is below). GSEP does have some backpacking gear that volunteers may borrow including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacking packs, camp stoves, and headlamps; please reach out to the volunteer@gsenm.org email if you would like to use any of this gear during the trip. Usually, personal gear + project gear will be about 40 pounds of total weight in your pack that will have to be carried about 5 miles each day. We will take breaks on the hikes and will go at a pace everyone is comfortable with. Additionally, some of this work will be taking place in the Death Hollow creek so volunteers should expect to be wet for a duration of the hike. 

We will be hiking the popular Escalante River Gorge beginning at the east side and hiking west, ending at the Escalante River Town Trailhead in Escalante. The total hike is about 15 miles with most of it along (and through) the Escalante River. We will be focusing on delineating campsites, remediating unneeded campsites, picking up trash (GSEP and BLM staff will handle any human waste removal) and providing graffiti remediation where necessary throughout the hike. 

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

This trip requires hiking around 5 miles a day in a remote area on rough and uneven terrain. You will need to be able to carry all personal backpacking gear as well as some project tools which can amount to 40 lbs +. Please keep in mind temperatures during this season can be anywhere from 80-100 degrees for a high and 50-60 degrees for a low.

Camping

We will be camping along the Escalante River Gorge as a group. The general flow of the trip will begin with transport to the trailhead and hiking in as far as the work will allow, setting up camp, dinner and settling in for the night. The next day will be breakfast, packing up camp, continuing work projects (largely spent around and in Death Hollow), finding a new camp, dinner and settling in for the night. The last day will be breakfast, packing up camp and finishing work projects as we hike back to the Escalante Town Trailhead. Both nights will likely be spent near Death Hollow, but are subject to change depending on work needed and the pace of the group.

Abbreviated Itinerary

June 13th: 

• • 8:30 a.m. - Meet at the GSEP Headquarters in Escalante, UT, at 530 West Main Street to do introductions, check gear, and to go over safety and work plans. 

    • We have bathrooms, water, parking, coffee, and tea - please bring a reusable mug!

  • 10:00 a.m. – Shuttle to the trailhead and begin hiking and doing projects

  • 12 p.m. - Lunch

  • 1 p.m. – Continue hiking and projects

  • 5:00 p.m. - Find campsite - near Death Hollow

  • 6:00 p.m. - Make camp and cook dinner

June 14th:

• • 7:00 a.m. - Wake up, make breakfast, pack for the day

  • 8:00 a.m. - Continue hiking and projects

  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch

  • 12:30 p.m. - Continue hiking and projects

  • 5:00 p.m. - Find campsite

  • 6:00 p.m. - Make camp and cook dinner

June 15th:

• • 7:00 a.m. - Wake up, make breakfast, pack for the day

  • 8:00 a.m. - Continue hiking and projects 

  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch

  • 1:00 p.m. – Continue hiking and projects

  • 4:00 p.m. – Finish hike at Escalante Town Trailhead and return to respective vehicles

  • 5:00 pm – Wrap-up, goodbyes and depart 

Required Personal Gear

Equipment List

Provided Gear

• • Project materials (trash bags, work equipment, graffiti remediation gear)

  • Wag bags (3 for each person, please let us know if you will need more). Burying waste will not be permitted, please make sure you have a system for carrying out your own wag bags.

  • Work Gloves 

  • Water filter and treatment

  • First aid kit

  • Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

  • Maps/GPS

Project Description

This is a 3 day, 2 night backpacking project July 11th-13th. Volunteers will need to provide their own backpacking gear and food (packing list is below). GSEP does have some backpacking gear that volunteers may borrow including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacking packs, camp stoves, and headlamps; please reach out to the volunteer@gsenm.org email if you would like to use any of this gear during the trip. Usually, personal gear + project gear will be about 40 pounds of total weight in your pack that will have to be carried about 5 miles each day. We will take breaks on the hikes and will go at a pace everyone is comfortable with. Additionally, some of this work will be taking place in the Death Hollow creek so volunteers should expect to be wet for a duration of the hike. 

We will be hiking the popular Escalante River Gorge beginning at the east side and hiking west, ending at the Escalante River Town Trailhead in Escalante. The total hike is about 15 miles with most of it along (and through) the Escalante River. We will be focusing on delineating campsites, remediating unneeded campsites, picking up trash (GSEP and BLM staff will handle any human waste removal) and providing graffiti remediation where necessary throughout the hike. 

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

This trip requires hiking around 5 miles a day in a remote area on rough and uneven terrain. You will need to be able to carry all personal backpacking gear as well as some project tools which can amount to 40 lbs +. Please keep in mind temperatures during this season can be anywhere from 80-100 degrees for a high and 50-60 degrees for a low.

Camping

We will be camping along the Escalante River Gorge as a group. The general flow of the trip will begin with transport to the trailhead and hiking in as far as the work will allow, setting up camp, dinner and settling in for the night. The next day will be breakfast, packing up camp, continuing work projects (largely spent around and in Death Hollow), finding a new camp, dinner and settling in for the night. The last day will be breakfast, packing up camp and finishing work projects as we hike back to the Escalante Town Trailhead. Both nights will likely be spent near Death Hollow, but are subject to change depending on work needed and the pace of the group.

Abbreviated Itinerary

July 11th: 

• • 9:00 a.m. - Meet at the GSEP Headquarters in Escalante, UT, at 530 West Main Street to do introductions, check gear, and to go over safety and work plans. 

    • We have bathrooms, water, parking, coffee, and tea - please bring a reusable mug!

  • 10:00 a.m. – Shuttle to the trailhead and begin hiking and doing projects

  • 12 p.m. - Lunch

  • 1 p.m. – Continue hiking and projects

  • 5:00 p.m. - Find campsite - near Death Hollow

  • 6:00 p.m. - Make camp and cook dinner

July 12th:

• • 7:00 a.m. - Wake up, make breakfast, pack for the day

  • 8:00 a.m. - Continue hiking and projects

  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch

  • 12:30 p.m. - Continue hiking and projects

  • 5:00 p.m. - Find campsite

  • 6:00 p.m. - Make camp and cook dinner

July 13th:

• • 7:00 a.m. - Wake up, make breakfast, pack for the day

  • 8:00 a.m. - Continue hiking and projects 

  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch

  • 1:00 p.m. – Continue hiking and projects

  • 4:00 p.m. – Finish hike at Escalante Town Trailhead and return to respective vehicles

  • 5:00 pm – Wrap-up, goodbyes and depart 

Required Personal Gear

Equipment List

Provided Gear

• • Project materials (trash bags, graffiti remediation gear)

  • Wag bags (3 for each person, please let us know if you will need more). Burying waste will not be permitted, please make sure you have a system for carrying out your own wag bags.

  •  Work Gloves 

  • Water filter and treatment

  • First aid kit

  • Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

  • Maps/GPS

Description 

Stay tuned, project details to come! 

Project Leaders

Kristen Buck & Victor Coulon

Recommended Ability Level

This project requires hiking up to 5 miles with project tools, gear and equipment. You will need to bring a daypack with water (at least 4 liters), lunch and snacks. Please be ready to get your feet wet!

Tentative Itinerary

Saturday, July 26th

• 8:00 am - Meeting location TBD for introductions, check gear, and go over safety and work plans.

• 8:30 am - Travel to worksite

• 10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Complete project tasks, taking snack and lunch breaks as needed

• 3-4:00 pm: Travel back to meeting location and wrap-up

Needed Gear

•  Long-sleeved work shirt and pants that you don't mind getting dirty

•  Closed-toe shoes

•  Eye protection (sunglasses are fine)

•  Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)

•  Lunch

•  Snacks

•  At least 2 liters of water

• Day pack with the 10 Essentials 

Provided Gear

•  Work gloves

•  Extra water

•  All project gear

• First aid kit

• Emergency location device (Garmin InReach and radio)

• Maps/GPS