Frog Arch
Yellow Rock is located in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. To get there from Kanab Utah travel east on Hwy 89 for approximately 46 miles to the intersection with gravel roads turn left on to Cottonwood Canyon road. Travel this fair weather road 17.5 miles to an intersection with a gravel road going directly east. This portion of the route may be impassable if the road is wet. The road crosses barren blue-grey landscape for several miles first north then more westerly, after about 6 miles the Paria river drainage is reached and the road follows the river a few miles and then proceeds along Cottonwood canyon. The “trailhead” is located at coordinates: 37°15’14.22”W 111°54’36.67”W
Cottonwood Canyon is an amazing drive with wonderful typography worth driving. If one follows it all the way it will pass Grosvenor Arch, Kodachrome Basin State Park and eventually Bryce Canyon National Park.
Stripes Near the Top
Leaving the road head west-southwest to the stream, using any of the trails that head that way. The goal here is to reach the mouth of the small side canyon coming out of the reef which is the west wall of Cottonwood Canyon. Cross the stream and enter the side canyon. The further into the canyon you go the more noticeable the trail will be. About 100 yards/meters from the stream the trail leaves the bottom of the canyon and climbs steeply up the right slope. From here on the trail is well defined and the destination will be become visible. The entire distance from the road to the foot of Yellow Rock is about .75 miles one way. While morning light is best it is a worthy destination any time of the day. The colors through the rock, the layers of stone, as well as the weathering is similar to what is found in North Coyote Buttes or South Coyote Buttes. It is a great rock to hike over and see the wonderful patterns created by the forces of nature. Summers will be Hot and winter it may be inaccessible due to wet roads. There is much to see and explore in the area. For a more remote hike that also begins off this road read about the “Curious Slot” here on my blog.