Utah Flats via Cremation Canyon

Note: The spot on the map is the beginning of the hike into Cremation Canyon Campground. For the full report on getting there, check out this adventure.

Heading out of the campsite at Cremation Canyon, look for hints of a trail where you will scramble up, following other boot prints and cairns that lead the way. Head up through a saddle and look for Piano Alley (giant rocks that have rolled down the drainage from Utah Flats). Scramble up Piano Alley and work your way up the canyon until you pop out up on top of Utah Flats. You are able to set up camp anywhere up on this bluff but we chose to go to the east side of the drainage where we had a nice view up river and overlooking Phantom Ranch. There were plenty of cracks, crevices, puddles, and cliffs to explore up here...not to mentions the killer sunset and sunrises.

Our choice to exit the area consisted of taking the same route back down which took about an hour and a half to get back to Phantom Ranch followed by taking the South Kaibab trail back out to the rim. See Backpack to Cremation Canyon for more info on the exit.

The woman at the back country office was pretty against us doing this due to the difficulty and unmarked trails. So be prepared to scrambled, slip, and slide, but trust me...it’s worth it.

Permits

Permits vary around the canyon and you should check in to the back country office before starting this adventure to be sure you have the proper permit and information to complete it safely and legally.