If solitude is what you want with great vistas, then you need to check out the West Clark Bench in Southern Utah. The access road to the Bench is located just west of the Paria river crossing and is located 2/3 mile west of the Paria Contact Station. This is the only BLM office for the area. This side road is located about half way between Kanab Utah and Page Az. on highway 89. The road is a good graded road but is clay based and if wet it is truly impassable and a real nightmare to travel trust me I came down it once after a cloud burst and it was NOT fun.  West Clark Bench itself is a large slightly sloping grass land with Juniper trees scattered across the landscape. Ranchers run cattle here so respect the animals and the ranchers. The Bench itself has its own beauty and is most striking in dawns early light or near sunset.  This said, it is the edge of the bench that holds the secrets and the amazing views and vistas.  Because the edges are in a wilderness area the roads and tracks end short of the views and will require hiking to be rewarded. 

On one trip to the region my goal was to hike to the very southwestern tip of the bench which overlooks Buckskin Gulch, North Coyote Buttes, Wire Pass, and Steamboat Rock. After a short drive through only minimal deep sand I came to the end of the track. A relative short ¾ mile hike brings you to the Edge of The Dive. The Dive is an escarpment running for about 5 miles paralleling the Slot canyon of Buckskin Gulch. Once at this edge the hiking along slick rock is easier (although still gaining elevation) and the views just keep getting better as one moves west.  As the corner is approached the expanse of slickrock increases and wind sculpted formations begin to dot the area. Also many catch basins have been formed here. I was fortunate enough to visit shortly after a rainy period and many of the potholes were filled with water. 

At the corner the explorer is treated to a surprise along with the fantastic views. Two very large potholes that are so big and are able to capture so much water during the snows of winter and the rains of summer that cattail plants live and thrive here. This watery oasis is sure to be a magnet to wildlife of all kinds during the drier time. 

Cattails in the desert is quite remarkable!

Continuing along the western edge of the bench more filled potholes and amazing patterns in the eroded slickrock kept me intrigued and excited to see what was next.  

My goal was to make a trip like a slice of pie out to the edge around the southwestern corner and then back to my vehicle. As I had reached the point of departing the “edge Country” I headed back out on to the bench now with a gradual downward walk.

I did happen to run onto a heard of desert bighorn sheep resting on the rocks. They were curious of me but, not to the point of jumping and running off. This was a real treat to end a marvelous trip of solitude and adventure.

I had the place entirely to myself with just the sheep, birds, and lizards to keep me company and that was well worth it.