Canyoneering Route Description

Bown Star Canyon - 3A(B) III
Escalante National Monument, Utah.

Quick Facts

2018-04-28, 7 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 11.5 hours) Bown Star Left Fork (time includes doing most of the canyon twice)
2018-04-29, 5 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10.2 hours) Bown Star Right Fork

Bown Star - Left Fork
Time Required - 8 to 10 hours
Distance - 7.2 miles Total, 0.6 miles Technical
Rappels - 5 Rappels, Longest Rappel 50 feet.

Bown Star - Right Fork
Time Required - 8 to 10 hours
Distance - 7.5 miles Total, 0.7 miles Technical
Rappels - 7 Rappels, Longest Rappel 70 feet.

Bown Bottom Slot - non-technical
If adding a trip down Bown Bottom Slot add the below time and mileages
Added Time - 1 hour
Added Distance - 0.8 miles

All route options
Elevation Range - 5475 - 6380 Feet
Shuttle Required - No Vehicle - Passenger, if bad road conditions High Clearance Permit Required - No

Gear Used for Canyon

Bown Star - Left Fork
Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 50 feet and 50 feet of 1 inch webbing just in case.  Wet suits not needed but there could be a spot or two with waist deep water after recent rains.

A potshot should be on hand just in case but will likely not be needed. The chamber that rap 1 drops down to has an undercut exit and may be difficult to exit if sand scours out. It was sand filled on our visit.

A Sandtrap and Smooth Operator may be used for anchoring some of drops in the left fork. We left webbing at each drop to avoid getting things stuck. On our visit in April 2018 we descended the technical section twice. On the first round we stuck ropes at a couple drops. After completing the canyon we took 2.5 hours to circle around, descending a portion of the canyon a second time and leaving webbing at each drop instead of retrievable anchors. All of us felt we somehow left our brains at home and could not believe the choices we made. We all have our days, and boy did we have ours.

Bown Star - Right Fork
Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 70 feet and 60 feet of 1 inch webbing just in case.  A Sandtrap is needed for a couple of drops.  Wet suits not needed but there are a couple spots where you will swim a short distance and a few spots that could be waist deep after recent rains.  One pool will likely be unavoidable for most people and others can by bypassed.

General Comments

The Big Bown Bench Canyons are located on to of, well, Big Bown Bench. To gain access to the canyons you will need to get up onto Big Bown Bench where you can then navigate to the head of whichever fork you choose. After completing the the technical portion of the canyon you will still be on the mesa and will need to route find back to the approach ravine to get back down off of Big Bown Bench.

On a solo hike to scout approach to the Big Bown Canyons I was able to get the heads of the slots, walk through Bown Bottom Slot, pear into the bottom of Bown Eye Canyon and walk up the lower portion of Bown Star which had a super pretty subway at the bottom. Judging from what I saw in person and from what I could see on Google Earth I thought the double forked slot would be the best of the bunch so I called it Bown Star. The slot just to the south that dumps into Bown Star also caught my eye so I called it Bown Eye. The non-technical slot farther down the wash was dubbed Bown Bottom.

The Big Bown Bench Canyons offer a few upper technical forks with about 0.7 miles of wash below leading down to a lower non-technical but pretty slot called Bown Bottom Slot.  One can easily descend any of the upper forks and exit right after or continue down to and through Bown Bottom Slot.  Due to forgiving terrain above it is also possible to escape in places and circle around to redo portions of canyon or mix and match forks in a number of ways.  With so may possible options the description may appear to bounce around a bit.  If you take the time to look at the maps and familiarize yourself with the layout of them, the descriptions / route choics will make a lot more sense.

The ravine used to get up onto Big Bown Bench is also used to exit down from Big Bown Bench. Scrambling up the ravine is straight forward and easy. Once at the top of the ravine, you will scramble up steep slick rock for about 200 feet to reach rolling desert on the mesa top. The steep section has many ledges and is well featured making the scramble overall easy with multiple ways to scramble up. This same section can be difficult to route find and scramble down in the dark, so returning before sunset is a good idea.

A GPS is highly recommended. The terrain across the mesa is pretty forgiving of route finding choices but has few landmarks that are helpful. The GPS is highly recommended for returning to the approach / exit ravine. There are no obvious landmarks to guide you back to the top of the ravine and most of the area along the edge of the mesa looks the same. If you do not have anything guiding you back to the top of the approach / exit ravine, you could find your self wandering around for a long time looking for the way down.

The A(B) water rating is because each of the forks have areas that can hold water to waist deep but unless it has recently rained will likely be mostly dry.  The right fork has a couple pools that will likely hold water most of the time creating the need for a short swim or two but not enough to make hauling a wet suit needed.  However if it is cold or there has been a lot of rain activity, a wet suit may be helpful.  Since these canyons have a long hike for short canyons avoiding them on really cold and recently rained on times of the year may be a more comfortable option.

After Canyon Exit Options:
Exit option one, is to exit the wash shortly down stream of Bown Star or Bown Eye Canyons and travel a short distance up Bown Winkle Canyon where you can then scramble up out of Bown Winkle to the rim and route find across the mesa back to the approach ravine.

Exit option two, is to continue down the main wash below Bown Star for about 0.7 miles to the top of a lower slot called Bown Bottom Slot. Then play through the non-technical Bown Bottom Slot after which you can exit up from the end of the slot up to the mesa then route find your way back to the exit ravine.

Bown Bottom Slot is about 0.7 miles down stream of the upper forks (Bown Star right and left forks and Bown Eye). Bown Bottom is a scenic non-technical slot about 0.3 mile long. The start of the slot has three drops of about 4 to 6 feet each and the remainder is a narrow walk-through slot with a couple long scenic narrow sections worth checking out.

Note:
Also in Bown Bottom Slot is a stick stuck between the walls that you will need to duck under. Please leave this stick in place as it is interesting for others to see. The stick has found its place between the walls where it rocks back and forth easily with wind or water flow but does not dislodge. The RDC side has even drilled a hole in the wall from its motion. Please leave it here for others to muse over later. Give it a push and watch it rock back and forth. Oddly satisfying.

General Canyon Thoughts:
The upper portion of the Left Fork of Bown Star is a series of open vegetated spots and short narrow slots. In the 150 feet leading down to the confluence with the right fork is a series of 4 rappels and the canyon is deep and committing feeling. 

The entire Right Fork of Bown Star is a series of open and closed sections with rappels scattered throughout. The last 90 feet leading down to the confluence is deep feeling. 

After the confluence of the right and left forks is a long section of very scenic narrows to walk down to the final downclimb and rappel. After the final rappel is a 0.3 miles section of canyon with long corridors and a very cool subway section about 150 feet long with huge ledges on the side and a deep channel running down the middle.

Everyone who did both forks of Bown Star Canyon seemed to agree that the Left Fork of Bown Star Canyon was best although shorter. The Right Fork of Bown Star had its charm and some fun moments and is worthwhile but did not seem as fun as the left fork.

Thanks to Tracy, Kevin, Angela, Adam, Patrick and Cressman for joining me on the adventure!

Route Suggestion:
After making a few trips to the area I would recommend combining routes to see all the good bits in the system while making for a reasonable length day. The route I would recommend would be to go down the Left Fork of Bown Star Canyon, hike down the wash about 600 feet to where you can scramble up steep slick rock on the LDC (south) side to a wide slick rock bench running east up the south side of Bown Eye Canyon.  After walking the bench, walk down into Bown Eye and descend.  Then follow the exit route out of the area back to the cars.

If for some reason you feel you wanted more out of the day, you could then walk down to and through Bown Bottom Slot then exiting after.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

From the town of Boulder Utah turn off of highway 12 onto the Burr Trail Road.  Follow the Burr Trail Road east for about 18.4 miles to an exit to a dirt road on the right (south) which is the Wolverine Loop Road (extWolverine1). 

Turn right (south) onto the Wolverine Loop Road and follow it south about 5.6 miles to the a large junction (ExHorseCyn) where the Horse Canyon road branches off to the right (west). 

From the junction of Horse Canyon Road (ExHorseCyn), stay left and continue on the Wolverine Loop road.  About 4.6 miles from the junction is a turn off (extWolverineTH) on the right (west) to a short spur road for the Wolverine Creek Trailhead.

From the Wolverine Creek Turn off (extWolverineTH) stay straight / left on the Wolverine Loop Road and drive about 2.7 miles to the turn off on right (exLilDeathHlw) for the Little Death Hollow Trailhead.  Turn right (south) and drive about 200 feet to the Little Death Hollow Trailhead (tLilDeathHlw) and park.  There is room for a quite a few cars here.

Note:
The hike in is down a drainage sometimes referred to as Little Death Hollow but on maps is usually labeled as Death Hollow.  To avoid confusion it is good to be aware that this is a different drainage from the Death Hollow about 17 miles west of here near the town of Escalante.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

No exit vehicle is needed.  This is done as a loop route.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Click the links for maps of the route. Map of the entire route and system.
Map of a zoomed in portion of the approach.
Map of the routes on the mesa.
Map of the upper forks.
Map of Bown Bottom Slot and exit from.

Details

The Approach:
From the trailhead (tLilDeathHlw) walk southwest down the huge wide open wash following trails.   About 1 mile to a large boulder on the left side of the trail (jHolyCow-Apr).

Continue on the trail about 800 feet after passing the large boulder to a spot with no distinct landmark (jBigBownApr).  This spot is after the trail crosses over the wash twice as it a sharp bend in the wash.

To continue the Big Bown Bench approach, leave the trail and hike south across easy terrain for 0.3 miles to the Big Bown approach ravine.

View to the approach / exit ravine for Big Bown Bench, viewed from the Little Death Hollow trail.

From the bottom of the steep dirt and rock slopes up to the ravine (BigBown01) travel is easiest up the ridge rather than directly up under the ravine. Once at the cliff band it is easy to traverse over and into the ravine.

Once at the bottom of the ravine (BigBown02) scramble up over boulders into the ravine.

About 100 feet into the ravine is a large house size boulder (BigBown03) blocking the ravine.  Walk under the boulder into a chamber in the boulder debris and continue scrambling up the ravine into a vegetated section. Follow up the left (southeast) side of the ravine as it splits a little farther up.  Scramble about 400 feet up to the top of the ravine (BigBown04).

Note:
When scrambling up under the huge boulders you will scramble over a large rock with old steps carved in it. It appears this rock has fallen from above and was once part of a route with carved steps that has since fallen into the ravine.

At the top of the ravine (BigBown04) turn left (south) and scramble up the steep slickrock for about 200 feet to get up onto rolling desert on the mesa top. This section is steep but ledges and features where you can choose one a few ways to scramble up through it. This section would be difficult to route find your way back down in the dark so returning before sunset is a good idea.

Once above the steep slickrock (BigBown05) continue south about 400 feet up various dirt and rock ledges to where the terrain becomes gently sloped.

As the terrain transitions from steep dirt and rock ledges to more gentle terrain (BigBown06) turn left (east) and follow roughly along the top of the wide sandy ridge. The ridge is very wide and may not feel like a ridge.

About 0.5 miles farther is very wide sandy saddle (BigBown07sdl) just after passing a minor peak. Continue east about 0.3 miles to the next wide saddle.

At the next wide saddle (BigBown08sdl) continue east across the saddle the contour right (south) following the natural line along the base of slopes under a cliff band.

About 0.25 miles farther the route starts around a point (BigBown09) but still on ledges contours around steep slopes. Route find east about 400 feet slowly working your way down to a weakness where you can scramble down minor ledges.

From the weakness (BigBown10) scramble southeast down minor ledges and walk about 750 feet down into the left fork of Bown Star Canyon (yBownStarLFTp).

Navigation / Route Description Choice:
If you choose to go down the Left Fork of Bown Star Canyon, jump to the Canyoneering / Technical description for that fork.
If continuing to the Right Fork of Bown Star Canyon or farther over to Bown Eye Canyon, continue with this approach description.

To continue to the Right Fork of Bown Star Canyon scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 400 feet up to the crest of a ridge.

From the crest of the ridge (BigBown11) route find southeast about 650 feet down slopes and minor ledges down into the Right Fork of Bown Star (yBownStarRFTp).

Navigation / Route Description Choice:
If you choose to go down the Right Fork of Bown Star Canyon, jump to the Canyoneering / Technical description for that fork.
If continuing to Bown Eye Canyon you would scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 500 feet to the top out on a ridge.

The Canyoneering / Technical Section - Left Fork of Bown Star:
From where the route drops into the Left Fork of Bown Star (yBownStarLFTp) walk southwest down the wash.

Note:
If you drop into the wash about 500 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops.

About 350 feet down canyon is a drop (BownStar10) of about 15 feet that can be downclimbed with a bridge at the bottom. Optionally the drop can be bypassed on either side.

About 220 feet farther is two drops (BownStar11) of about 12 feet then 8 feet and both are easily bypassed on the RDC side.

About 115 feet farther is a short slot (BownStar12) with a downclimb of about 12 feet with the last 7 feet possibly needing a partner assist. The last part of the down climb can be made easier using nice hand hold in the middle of the water course to lower oneself down.

About 100 feet farther is the start of (BownStar13) a narrow section about 150 feet long. Starting into this section is a spot that easy to stem / bridge over where you will be about 10 feet off the deck followed by an easy downclimb of about 6 feet to shallow water if full followed by a drop of about 12 feet down a fluted slot with the last 6 feet being vertical. At the bottom of the last downclimb is a large pothole / room that was sand filled on our visit but may be a little difficult to exit if sand is scoured out.

About 230 feet farther is a drop (BownStar14) of about 20 feet that can be downclimbed around bushes at the top and under a large chock stone near the bottom. Shortly after is a shallow pothole that can be bridged over if full of water.

About 170 feet farther is a side drainage (BownStar15EE) that drops in on the RDC side where you can escape or enter by scrambling the slopes on the up canyon side to the bench on the RDC side of the canyon.

Note:
If after the canyon you want to go back around and redo the lower portion of the canyon this is where you would re-enter.

Just after the side drainage is the start of (BownStar16) a narrow slot about 100 feet long. Near the start is a silo to easily stem over where you will be about 12 feet up off the deck then downclimb to the floor and walk to the end of the slot. After the slot is a vegetated section about 80 feet long with rap 1 on the other end.

Rap 1 (dBownStarLFR1) is anchored from a chock stone at the top of the drop and drops about 20 feet down a vertical wall to huge chamber with rap 2 at the down canyon end. On our visit the chamber was sand filled but the exiting end is under cut and may be difficult to exit if sand scoured out.

Rap 2 (dBownStarLFR2) is anchored from a chock stone at the top of the drop and drops about 35 feet down a vertical wall into a chamber with rap 3 at the other side.

Rap 3 (dBownStarLFR3) is anchored from a choke stone and drops a total of about 50 feet with a large sloped ledge part way down. The start is over a drop of about 6 feet to the sloped ledge but is very awkward to get over. At the bottom is a dirt bench that can not be seen from the top where you can land out of the water then walk the edge to keep your feet dry over to rap 4.

Rap 4 (dBownStarLFR4) is anchored from a large rock up in a slot on the RDC side about 10 feet up and drops about 25 feet. To get to and inspect the anchor for rap 4 you will need to climb up the RDC wall and a tall person will have an easier time. Just below rap 4 is the confluence of the right and left forks (jBownStarConf).

Navigation / Route Description Choice:
Jump down to the section for after the confluence. 

The Canyoneering / Technical Section - Right Fork of Bown Star:
From where the route drops into the Right Fork of Bown Star (yBownStarRFTp) there is a drop in the wash that is bypassed on the RDC side down steep slopes.  Walk southwest down the wash about 425 feet to rap 1.

Note:  
If you drop into the wash about 250 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops.

Rap 1 (dBownStarRFR1) is anchored from a pinch point under a boulder up on the LDC side and drops about 25 feet into large pothole / room.

Just after is a downclimb (BownStar20) of about 15 feet where a partner assist may be needed for the last 6 feet. The next 170 feet of canyon has a few easy galumphs to avoid shallow water in narrow slot before giving way to a vegetated area.  About 300 feet farther is rap 2.

Rap 2 (dBownStarRFR2) is anchored from a rock in the wash about 25 feet back and drops about 15 feet to a pool that will be a swimmer if full. Very tall people can bridge over this but it will be a long difficult stretch even for the tall guys.

Note:
The anchor is strong enough to set up a guided rappel but the angle the guide rope will be at will not drop rapidly making it difficult to move while on a guided rappel. If one person can provide a solid enough anchor at the bottom, the rest of the team can tether to the guide line and move across hand over hand on the rope. Ah, the things we do to avoid one little pool of water.

Shortly down canyon is two downclimbs (BownStar21) of about 10 then 8 feet each. Both down to shallow pools or can be easily stemmed over about 12 feet up.

Shortly after is a downclimb (BownStar22) of about 15 feet with the last 6 feet needing a partner assist. Just after is a vegetated area.

About 125 feet farther you can escape (BownStar23EE) on either side in this vegetated area. Exiting RDC (north) side is easier but re-entering the canyon farther down is difficult. If bypassing the drop just down canyon of here to avoid water exit up the LDC (south) side by scrambling up a steep shallow chute starting up near the second juniper tree in this section. At the top of the chute you can walk a wide level shelf down canyon but you will need to go farther up to the dirt rim to go around an impassable spot on the shelf.

About 460 feet farther is the top of a narrow slot (BownStar27) and is also the bottom of a vegetated ramp on the LDC side where the bypass route would drop back down into the canyon.  At the start of a narrow slot beginning with two easy stem style downclimbs of about 10 then 8 feet then a walk over to the next rappel.

Rap 3(dBownStarRFR3) at the end of a narrow slot is anchored using a Sandtrap and drops about 25 feet down to wide vegetated area.  About 70 feet down canyon is rap 4.

Rap 4 (dBownStarRFR4) is anchored using a Sandtrap about 10 feet back and drops about 15 feet to a muddy seep with dense vegetation. Continue down canyon through the thick vegetation for about 120 feet to where the canyon opens to easier walking in open vegetated wash.  About 450 feet farther is rap 5.

Rap 5 (dBownStarRFR5) is anchored from a large bush up on the LDC (south) side and uses about 60 feet of rope with the actual drop being about 40 feet down the LDC wall to avoid a large chock stone if rappelling down the water course. At the bottom of the rap is a large and deep room like area and a short walk over to the next rap down into the confluence.

Note:
Do not use the bush just up canyon as this will have the rope travel over the chock stone and possibly stick the rope. From the top of this rap are good views over to the drops in the left fork.

Rap 6 (dBownStarRFR6) is anchored using a small tree about 10 feet back and uses about 70 feet of rope with the vertical portion of the drop being about 60 feet down to the confluence of the right and left forks. 

Navigation / Route Description Choice:
Jump down to the section for after the confluence. 

The Canyoneering / Technical Section - After the Confluence of Right and Left Forks:
At the confluence (jBownStarConf) is huge chamber feeling area with a wide long corridor to walk down canyon.

About 350 feet down canyon is a downclimb (BownStar30) of about 12 feet just before reaching the final rappel. This downclimb looks difficult from the top but is much easier than it looks. Easiest way to downclimb is to wedge you left leg / hip in the narrow portion of the drop and slide down using your right leg and hands to push your back into the RDC wall as you slide down. At the bottom is a shallow pool to walk across to the final rappel.

The final rappel (dBownStarR7) is rap 5 if doing the Left Fork or rap 7 if doing the Right Fork.  The final rap is anchored from a choke stone and drops a total of about 40 feet.  The start of the rappel is down through a rabbit hole to a ledge where you back out onto a sloped ledge which rolls off to vertical for the rest of the drop. Large people will have to go out over this rabbit hole and will have an awkward time doing so. At the bottom is a large chamber with an arch at the bottom of the rappel to crawl under or scramble over.

Walk down canyon in a large corridor for about 300 feet to a short vegetated area (BownStar31) with some boulder debris and just before a very cool subway section about 150 feet long with ledges on each side and a deep slot carved down the center.

Note:
The subway section is very scenic and may be a great place to enjoy some cool air and a lunch break and sit to enjoy the place.

Just after the subway is another short vegetated section (BownStar32) just before a long walk-through corridor.

At the end of a 400 foot long corridor (yBownStarBt) it is a short walk of about xx feet to the end of the technical section where the wash below Bown Eye Canyon joins in from the left (east).

Navigation / Route Description Choice:
If exiting here just after Bown Star and Bown Eye Canyons, jump down to Exit Option 1.
If continuing to Bown Bottom Slot and exiting after, jump down to the section for continuing to and through Bown Bottom Slot.

Exit Option 1 - From just after Bown Star and Bown Eye Canyons:
From the bottom of Bown Star Canyon (yBownStarBt) follow the wash about 0.3 miles to where the bottom of Bown Winkle joins in from RDC (north).

Note:
About 600 feet down the wash after the confluence of Bown Star and Bown Eye canyons is where you can look for a way to scramble up onto the LDC side to a wide slick rock bench.  That bench can be walked up along the south side of Bown Eye Canyon where you can walk into the head.  This route makes it possible to quickly access and go down Bown Eye Canyon after getting to teh bottom of Bown Star Canyon.  This combo makes a for a great length day and sees the best portions of the system.

From the bottom of Bown Winkle (yBownWinkleBt) turn right and walk north up the bottom of Bown Winkle.

About 200 feet up canyon is a drop (BownWrinkle22) of about 30 feet over a series of potholes that is easily bypassed LDC/RUC.  Bypass the drop and continue up the wash.

About 450 feet up the wash is a very short narrow spot (BownWrinkle21) with a short easy scramble up or down.  Scramble up the short drop and walk up canyon about 120 feet to the next narrow section that is longer and tighter.

At the lower end of the next narrow section (BownWrinkle20E) scramble up the left (northwest - LUC/RDC) side route finding up a steep slickrock bowl.

Note:
If you were to try to continue up the wash past the exit point you would need to galumph about 8 feet off the deck to get through the 100 foot long narrow section.

Route finding about 250 feet up the slickrock bowl leads to a weakness (BigBown20) where you can scramble up to the gentler dirt slopes.

Once on the rim veer right and follow the wide ridge northeast about 0.5 miles to where you can cross a large drainage along a shelf (BigBown21).

After crossing the drainage route find northwest about 520 feet to a wide sandy saddle (BigBown07sdl).  This is the same saddle you were at on the approach.

At the saddle (BigBown07sdl) turn left and walk west about 0.5 miles to where you can start down (BigBown06) toward the exit ravine.

Walk about 425 feet down dirt slopes to the top of steep slickrock (BigBown05) leading down to the exit ravine.

Route find about 180 feet down to the top of the ravine (BigBown04).

Turn right and scramble down the ravine and reverse the approach hike back to the Little Death Hollow trailhead (tLilDeathHlw).

Continuing down to and through Bown Bottom Slot:
From the bottom of Bown Star Canyon (yBownStarBt) follow down the main wash for about 0.7 miles to the top of Bown Bottom Slot where it gets narrow / skinny.

At the top of Bown Bottom Slot (BownBottomTp) is a a drop of about 6 feet down into a sandy hole that can hold shallow water after recent rains. Just after this drop are two more drops of about 4 feet each. The remainder of this lower canyon is a narrow walk through slot with a couple of very pretty sections worth seeing. The first section of this slot has three large boulders wedged between the walls that you walk under.

About 500 feet down canyon is a pothole side drainage (BownBottom06) that drops in from LDC (east). If desired you can walk / scramble up the side of this drainage to have a look around the area. Down canyon of this side drainage is a very pretty narrow section about 300 feet long with winding sculpted walls.

About 850 feet down canyon is a drop (BownBottom07) of about 10 feet that is easily bypassed on the RDC side.

Shortly after the bypassed drop, Bown Bottom Slot ends where it widens out to wide wash (yBownBottomBt). 

The Exit - From the bottom of Bown Bottom Slot:
From the lower end of Bown Bottom Slot (yBownBottomBt) walk / scramble up the RDC (north) side.

About 200 feet up you may find rocks stacked (BownBottom08) that appear to be a cairn.  To continue the exit route find about 100 feet northwest up minor shelves up to open desert slopes going up to the northwest.

Once up open desert slopes (BownBottom09), route find northwest about 0.2 miles up onto a very wide gentle ridge.

Once up on top of the gentle ridge (BownBottom10), veer right (northeast) and follow up the wide ridge for about 800 feet to a minor peak along the ridge.

From the minor peak (BownBottom11), continue northeast along the wide ridge about 0.35 miles to another minor peak along the ridge.

From the next minor peak (BownBottom12), continue northeast along the wide ridge for about 850 feet to where you can veer left and travel northwest contouring around a drainage that is now wide and shallow.

As you contour around the wide shallow drainage (BownBottom13) continue northwest about 0.3 miles to contour around another drainage.

This next drainage you contour around (BownBottom14) a shelf in a drainage where travel is easy. Continue north to where you can start walking down dirt slopes toward the approach / exit ravine (BigBown06).

Walk about 425 feet down dirt slopes to the top of steep slickrock (BigBown05) leading down to the exit ravine.

Route find about 180 feet down to the top of the ravine (BigBown04).

Turn right and scramble down the ravine and reverse the approach hike back to the Little Death Hollow trailhead (tLilDeathHlw).

GPS Waypoint Information

Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........

Bown Star (1) - Approach to Left Fork

tLilDeathHlw          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.78402   W -111.18060        Elev: 5,550 Feet Trailhead for Little Death Hollow. Space for quite a few cars to park. The drainage down from here is sometimes referred to as Little Death Hollow but on maps is usually labeled as Death Hollow. To avoid confusion it is good to be aware that this is a different drainage from the Death Hollow about 17 miles west of here near the town of Escalante. jHolyCow-Apr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77332   W -111.19234        Elev: 5,480 Feet A spot on the trail just past a very large boulder sitting next to the trail. From here you can get a visual on the approach route. Leave the trail here and hike about 900 feet west across the desert toward the rubble filled slope at the base of the cliff band. Looking west from here note a large light colored arch-like indention in the cliff band then note the saddle just to the left (south) of that. Just below that saddle is a ramp leading up the cliff side to a small patch of vegetation. Route find your way to that ramp. A large boulder filled ravine can be seen to the north from here and can optionally be used to approach Holy Cow but will add distance and time to the route as well as require scrambling some sketchy sections of steep slickrock. jBigBownApr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77156   W -111.19418        Elev: 5,475 Feet Leave main trail here to follow the approach up to Big Bown Bench. This spot with no distinct landmark and is about 800 feet after passing the large boulder along the trail and is after the trail crosses over the wash twice as it a sharp bend in the wash. To continue the Big Bown Bench approach, leave the trail and hike south across easy terrain for 0.3 miles to the Big Bown approach ravine. BigBown01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76747   W -111.19225        Elev: NaN Feet Start up the steep dirt and rock slope up toward a ravine. Travel is easiest up the ridge rather than directly up under the ravine. Once at the cliff band it is easy to traverse over and into the ravine. BigBown02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76659   W -111.19285        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of the ravine to scramble up onto Big Bown Bench. BigBown03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76640   W -111.19319        Elev: NaN Feet Large house size boulder blocking the ravine. Walk under the boulder into a chamber in the boulder debris and continue scrambling up the ravine into a vegetated section. Follow up the left (southeast) side of the ravine as it splits a little farther up. Note: When scrambling up under the huge boulders you will scramble over a large rock with old steps carved in it. It appears this rock has fallen from above and was once part of a route with carved steps that has since fallen into the ravine. BigBown04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76562   W -111.19416        Elev: 5,940 Feet Top of the ravine. Turn left (south) and scramble up the steep slickrock for about 200 feet to get up onto rolling desert on the mesa top. This section is steep but ledges and features where you can choose one a few ways to scramble up through it. This section would be difficult to route find your way back down in the dark so returning before sunset is a good idea. BigBown05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76527   W -111.19383        Elev: NaN Feet Top of the steep slickrock above the approach ravine. On approach continue south about 400 feet up various dirt and rock ledges to where the terrain becomes gently sloped. On exit, scramble down the slickrock ledges to the head of the ravine. BigBown06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76426   W -111.19311        Elev: NaN Feet Terrain transitions from steep dirt and rock ledges to more gentle terrain. On approach to the Big Bown Canyons turn left (east) and follow roughly along the top of the wide sandy ridge. The ridge is very wide and may not feel like a ridge. On exit, route find your way north down the slopes. BigBown07sdl          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76270   W -111.18352        Elev: 6,230 Feet Very wide sandy saddle. On Approach to Big Bown Canyons this is just after passing a minor peak. Continue east about 0.3 miles to the next wide saddle. On exit turn left and walk west about 0.5 miles to where you can start down toward the exit ravine. BigBown08sdl          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76200   W -111.17896        Elev: NaN Feet Wide saddle. Continue east across the saddle the contour right (south) following the natural line along the base of slopes under a cliff band. BigBown09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75964   W -111.17604        Elev: 6,290 Feet Route starts around a point but still on ledges contouring around steep slopes. Route find east about 400 feet slowly working your way down to a weakness where you can scramble down minor ledges. BigBown10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75979   W -111.17450        Elev: NaN Feet Scramble southeast down minor ledges and walk about 750 feet down into the left fork of Bown Star Canyon. yBownStarLFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75878   W -111.17234        Elev: 6,170 Feet Approach route reaches the left fork of Bown Star Canyon. To go down the left fork, walk southwest down the wash. To continue to the right fork of Bown Star or to Bown Eye Canyon, scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 400 feet up to the crest of a ridge. Note: If you drop into the wash about 500 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops.

Bown Star (2) - Left Fork head to Right Fork Head

yBownStarLFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75878   W -111.17234        Elev: 6,170 Feet Approach route reaches the left fork of Bown Star Canyon. To go down the left fork, walk southwest down the wash. To continue to the right fork of Bown Star or to Bown Eye Canyon, scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 400 feet up to the crest of a ridge. Note: If you drop into the wash about 500 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops. BigBown11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75805   W -111.17118        Elev: NaN Feet Top out on a ridge between the heads of right and left forks of Bown Star Canyon. To continue to the left fork of Bown Star, route find southeast about 650 feet down slopes and minor ledges down into the Right Fork of Bown Star. yBownStarRFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75708   W -111.16940        Elev: 6,170 Feet Approach route reaches the right fork of Bown Star Canyon. A drop in the wash here is bypassed on the RDC side down steep slopes. To go down the right fork, walk southwest down the wash. To continue to Bown Eye Canyon, scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 500 feet to the top out on a ridge. Note: If you drop into the wash about 250 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops.

Bown Star (3) - Canyon - Left Fork down to Confluence

yBownStarLFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75878   W -111.17234        Elev: 6,170 Feet Approach route reaches the left fork of Bown Star Canyon. To go down the left fork, walk southwest down the wash. To continue to the right fork of Bown Star or to Bown Eye Canyon, scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 400 feet up to the crest of a ridge. Note: If you drop into the wash about 500 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops. BownStar10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75804   W -111.17304        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 15 feet that can be downclimbed with a bridge at the bottom. Optionally the drop can be bypassed on either side. BownStar11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75765   W -111.17361        Elev: NaN Feet Two drops of about 12 feet then 8 feet and both are easily bypassed on the RDC side. BownStar12          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75756   W -111.17399        Elev: NaN Feet Short slot with a downclimb of about 12 feet with the last 7 feet possibly needing a partner assist. The last part of the down climb can be made easier using nice hand hold in the middle of the water course to lower oneself down. BownStar13          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75736   W -111.17431        Elev: NaN Feet Start of a narrow section about 150 feet long. Starting into this section is a spot that easy to stem / bridge over where you will be about 10 feet off the deck followed by an easy downclimb of about 6 feet to shallow water if full followed by a drop of about 12 feet down a fluted slot with the last 6 feet being vertical. At the bottom of the last downclimb is a large pothole / room that was sand filled on our visit but may be a little difficult to exit if sand is scoured out. BownStar15EE          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75675   W -111.17536        Elev: NaN Feet A side drainage drops in on the RDC side where you can escape or enter by scrambling the slopes on the up canyon side to the bench on the RDC side of the canyon. Note: If after the canyon you want to go back around and redo the lower portion of the canyon this is where you would re-enter. BownStar16          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75669   W -111.17545        Elev: NaN Feet Start of a narrow slot about 100 feet long. Near the start is a silo to easily stem over where you will be about 12 feet up off the deck then downclimb to the floor and walk to the end of the slot. After the slot is a vegetated section about 80 feet long with rap 1 on the other end. dBownStarLFR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75623   W -111.17557        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 1 - Left Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a chock stone at the top of the drop and drops about 20 feet down a vertical wall to huge chamber with rap 2 at the down canyon end. On our visit the chamber was sand filled but the exiting end is under cut and may be difficult to exit if sand scoured out. dBownStarLFR2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75613   W -111.17557        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 2 - Left Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a chock stone at the top of the drop and drops about 35 feet down a vertical wall into a chamber with rap 3 at the other side. dBownStarLFR3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75599   W -111.17557        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 3 - Left Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a choke stone and drops a total of about 50 feet with a large sloped ledge part way down. The start is over a drop of about 6 feet to the sloped ledge but is very awkward to get over. At the bottom is a dirt bench that can not be seen from the top where you can land out of the water then walk the edge to keep your feet dry over to rap 4. dBownStarLFR4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75585   W -111.17561        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 4 - Left Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a large rock up in a slot on the RDC side about 10 feet up and drops about 25 feet. To get to and inspect the anchor for rap 4 you will need to climb up the RDC wall and a tall person will have an easier time. Just below rap 4 is the confluence of the right and left forks. jBownStarConf          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75582   W -111.17565        Elev: NaN Feet Confluence of the right and left forks of Bown Star Canyon. Huge chamber feeling area with a wide long corridor to walk down canyon.

Bown Star (4) - Canyon - Right Fork down to Confluence

yBownStarRFTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75708   W -111.16940        Elev: 6,170 Feet Approach route reaches the right fork of Bown Star Canyon. A drop in the wash here is bypassed on the RDC side down steep slopes. To go down the right fork, walk southwest down the wash. To continue to Bown Eye Canyon, scramble up the slope on the southeast side for about 500 feet to the top out on a ridge. Note: If you drop into the wash about 250 feet up canyon of here you will find a couple easy to bypass short drops. dBownStarRFR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75664   W -111.17045        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 1 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a pinch point under a boulder up on the LDC side and drops about 25 feet into large pothole / room. BownStar20          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75654   W -111.17054        Elev: NaN Feet Downclimb of about 15 feet where a partner assist may be needed for the last 6 feet. The next 170 feet of canyon has a few easy galumphs to avoid shallow water in narrow slot before giving way to a vegetated area. dBownStarRFR2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75622   W -111.17143        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 2 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a rock in the wash about 25 feet back and drops about 15 feet to a pool that will be a swimmer if full. Very tall people can bridge over this but it will be a long difficult stretch even for the tall guys. Note: The anchor is strong enough to set up a guided rappel but the angle the guide rope will be at will not drop rapidly making it difficult to move while on a guided rappel. If one person can provide a solid enough anchor at the bottom, the rest of the team can tether to the guide line and move across hand over hand on the rope. Ah, the things we do to avoid one little pool of water. BownStar21          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75614   W -111.17158        Elev: NaN Feet Two downclimbs of about 10 then 8 feet each. Both down to shallow pools or can be easily stemmed over about 12 feet up. BownStar22          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75602   W -111.17170        Elev: NaN Feet Downclimb of about 15 feet with the last 6 feet needing a partner assist. Just after is a vegetated area. BownStar23EE          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75585   W -111.17205        Elev: NaN Feet You can escape on either side in this vegetated area. Exiting RDC (north) side is easier but re-entering the canyon farther down is difficult. If bypassing the drop just down canyon of here to avoid water exit up the LDC (south) side by scrambling up a steep shallow chute starting up near the second juniper tree in this section. At the top of the chute you can walk a wide level shelf down canyon but you will need to go farther up to the dirt rim to go around an impassable spot on the shelf. BownStar24          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75571   W -111.17249        Elev: NaN Feet Sloped downclimb of about 15 feet down an narrow slot into a long pool that will be a swimmer if full. The down canyon end of the slot bells out making a stem over not possible. After the long pool in the slot is a long open vegetated area. Note: If you wish to bypass this pool to try and stay dry you can go back up canyon about 130 feet to the second juniper tree then scramble up the LDC side. BownStar27          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75560   W -111.17356        Elev: NaN Feet Start of a narrow slot beginning with two easy stem style downclimbs of about 10 then 8 feet then a walk over to the next rappel. dBownStarRFR3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75566   W -111.17380        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 3 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon at the end of a narrow section. Anchored using a Sandtrap and drops about 25 feet down to wide vegetated area. dBownStarRFR4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75577   W -111.17398        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 4 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored using a Sandtrap about 10 feet back and drops about 15 feet to a muddy seep with dense vegetation. Continue down canyon through the thick vegetation for about 120 feet to where the canyon opens to easier walking in open vegetated wash. dBownStarRFR5          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75562   W -111.17546        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 5 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored from a large bush up on the LDC (south) side and uses about 60 feet of rope with the actual drop being about 40 feet down the LDC wall to avoid a large chock stone if rappelling down the water course. At the bottom of the rap is a large and deep room like area and a short walk over to the next rap down into the confluence. Note: Do not use the bush just up canyon as this will have the rope travel over the chock stone and possibly stick the rope. From the top of this rap are good views over to the drops in the left fork. dBownStarRFR6          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75576   W -111.17563        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 6 - Right Fork Bown Star Canyon. Anchored using a small tree about 10 feet back and uses about 70 feet of rope with the vertical portion of the drop being about 60 feet down to the confluence of the right and left forks. jBownStarConf          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75582   W -111.17565        Elev: NaN Feet Confluence of the right and left forks of Bown Star Canyon. Huge chamber feeling area with a wide long corridor to walk down canyon.

Bown Star (5) - Canyon - Confluence to Bottom

jBownStarConf          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75582   W -111.17565        Elev: NaN Feet Confluence of the right and left forks of Bown Star Canyon. Huge chamber feeling area with a wide long corridor to walk down canyon. BownStar30          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75511   W -111.17646        Elev: NaN Feet Downclimb of about 12 feet just before reaching the final rappel. This downclimb looks difficult from the top but is much easier than it looks. Easiest way to downclimb is to wedge you left leg / hip in the narrow portion of the drop and slide down using your right leg and hands to push your back into the RDC wall as you slide down. At the bottom is a shallow pool to walk across to the final rappel. dBownStarR7          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75501   W -111.17650        Elev: NaN Feet Final rappel in Bown Star Canyon (rap 5 if doing the Left Fork or rap 7 if doing the Right Fork). Anchored from a choke stone and drops a total of about 40 feet. The start of the rappel is down through a rabbit hole to a ledge where you back out onto a sloped ledge which rolls off to vertical for the rest of the drop. Large people will have to go out over this rabbit hole and will have an awkward time doing so. At the bottom is a large chamber with an arch at the bottom of the rappel to crawl under or scramble over. Walk down canyon in a large corridor. BownStar31          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75429   W -111.17725        Elev: NaN Feet Short vegetated area with some boulder debris and just before a very cool subway section about 150 feet long with ledges on each side and a deep slot carved down the center. Note: The subway section is very scenic and may be a great place to enjoy some cool air and a lunch break and sit to enjoy the place. BownStar32          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75363   W -111.17828        Elev: NaN Feet Short vegetated section after a subway section and just before a long walk-through corridoor. BownStar33          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75298   W -111.17946        Elev: NaN Feet End of a 400 foot long corridor at the end of Bown Star Canyon. yBownStarBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75286   W -111.17982        Elev: NaN Feet Confluence where Bown Star and Bown Eye canyons join with easy wash walking down canyon.

Bown Star (6) - Exit - down to Bown Winkle

yBownStarBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75286   W -111.17982        Elev: NaN Feet Confluence where Bown Star and Bown Eye canyons join with easy wash walking down canyon. jBownEyeBotApr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75290   W -111.18164        Elev: NaN Feet Approximate location where you can scramble up steep slick rock up to the bench on the RDC (south) side. You can then walk that bencho east up along the south side of Bown Eye Canyon then walk into the head of the canyon. BownStar34EE          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75312   W -111.18335        Elev: NaN Feet Spot where you can begin scrambling up steep slickrock on the RDC (north) side to get up to the slickrock bench running just below the rock and dirt cliff where you can contour your way up to re-enter the Left Fork of Bown Star Canyon just above the first rappel. No distinct landmark here. yBownWinkleBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75272   W -111.18525        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of Bown Winkle Canyon where it dumps into the main wash of Bown Star. To continue down to Bown Bottom Slot, continue west down the wash. To exit the area turn right and walk north up the bottom of Bown Winkle.

Bown Star (7) - Exit via Bown Winkle

yBownWinkleBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75272   W -111.18525        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of Bown Winkle Canyon where it dumps into the main wash of Bown Star. To continue down to Bown Bottom Slot, continue west down the wash. To exit the area turn right and walk north up the bottom of Bown Winkle. BownWrinkle22          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75321   W -111.18539        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 30 feet over a series of potholes that is easily bypassed LDC/RUC. BownWrinkle21          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75436   W -111.18515        Elev: NaN Feet Very short narrow spot with a short easy scramble up or down. When exiting up from Bown Star or Bown Eye Canyons, scramble up the short drop and walk up canyon about 120 feet to the next narrow section that is longer and tighter. BownWrinkle20E          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75461   W -111.18480        Elev: NaN Feet Down canyon end of a 100 foot long skinny section where galumphing about 8 feet off the deck would be required. When exiting from Bown Star or Bown Eye Canyons, walk up the very steep slickrock bowl to the north RDC/LUC) and route find your way to the rim. BigBown20          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75481   W -111.18565        Elev: NaN Feet Weakness allowing access to the rim above after walking up a very steep slickrock bowl up out of Bown Winkle Canyon. To exit the area veer right and follow the wide ridge northeast. BigBown21          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76148   W -111.18264        Elev: NaN Feet When on exit from Bown Star or Bown Eye Canyons cross over a shelf in this drainage and route find northwest about 520 feet to a wide sandy saddle. BigBown07sdl          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76270   W -111.18352        Elev: 6,230 Feet Very wide sandy saddle. On Approach to Big Bown Canyons this is just after passing a minor peak. Continue east about 0.3 miles to the next wide saddle. On exit turn left and walk west about 0.5 miles to where you can start down toward the exit ravine. BigBown06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76426   W -111.19311        Elev: NaN Feet Terrain transitions from steep dirt and rock ledges to more gentle terrain. On approach to the Big Bown Canyons turn left (east) and follow roughly along the top of the wide sandy ridge. The ridge is very wide and may not feel like a ridge. On exit, route find your way north down the slopes. BigBown05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76527   W -111.19383        Elev: NaN Feet Top of the steep slickrock above the approach ravine. On approach continue south about 400 feet up various dirt and rock ledges to where the terrain becomes gently sloped. On exit, scramble down the slickrock ledges to the head of the ravine. BigBown04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76562   W -111.19416        Elev: 5,940 Feet Top of the ravine. Turn left (south) and scramble up the steep slickrock for about 200 feet to get up onto rolling desert on the mesa top. This section is steep but ledges and features where you can choose one a few ways to scramble up through it. This section would be difficult to route find your way back down in the dark so returning before sunset is a good idea. BigBown03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76640   W -111.19319        Elev: NaN Feet Large house size boulder blocking the ravine. Walk under the boulder into a chamber in the boulder debris and continue scrambling up the ravine into a vegetated section. Follow up the left (southeast) side of the ravine as it splits a little farther up. Note: When scrambling up under the huge boulders you will scramble over a large rock with old steps carved in it. It appears this rock has fallen from above and was once part of a route with carved steps that has since fallen into the ravine. BigBown02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76659   W -111.19285        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of the ravine to scramble up onto Big Bown Bench. BigBown01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76747   W -111.19225        Elev: NaN Feet Start up the steep dirt and rock slope up toward a ravine. Travel is easiest up the ridge rather than directly up under the ravine. Once at the cliff band it is easy to traverse over and into the ravine. jBigBownApr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77156   W -111.19418        Elev: 5,475 Feet Leave main trail here to follow the approach up to Big Bown Bench. This spot with no distinct landmark and is about 800 feet after passing the large boulder along the trail and is after the trail crosses over the wash twice as it a sharp bend in the wash. To continue the Big Bown Bench approach, leave the trail and hike south across easy terrain for 0.3 miles to the Big Bown approach ravine. jHolyCow-Apr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77332   W -111.19234        Elev: 5,480 Feet A spot on the trail just past a very large boulder sitting next to the trail. From here you can get a visual on the approach route. Leave the trail here and hike about 900 feet west across the desert toward the rubble filled slope at the base of the cliff band. Looking west from here note a large light colored arch-like indention in the cliff band then note the saddle just to the left (south) of that. Just below that saddle is a ramp leading up the cliff side to a small patch of vegetation. Route find your way to that ramp. A large boulder filled ravine can be seen to the north from here and can optionally be used to approach Holy Cow but will add distance and time to the route as well as require scrambling some sketchy sections of steep slickrock. tLilDeathHlw          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.78402   W -111.18060        Elev: 5,550 Feet Trailhead for Little Death Hollow. Space for quite a few cars to park. The drainage down from here is sometimes referred to as Little Death Hollow but on maps is usually labeled as Death Hollow. To avoid confusion it is good to be aware that this is a different drainage from the Death Hollow about 17 miles west of here near the town of Escalante.

Bown Star (8) - Down to and through Bown Bottom Slot

yBownWinkleBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75272   W -111.18525        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of Bown Winkle Canyon where it dumps into the main wash of Bown Star. To continue down to Bown Bottom Slot, continue west down the wash. To exit the area turn right and walk north up the bottom of Bown Winkle. BownBottom01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75225   W -111.18579        Elev: NaN Feet Short section of slickrock the water has cut a deep slot in. This is in a huge open sandy wash and would be easily missed if not strictly following the water course. BownBottom02EE          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75145   W -111.18777        Elev: NaN Feet Can scramble north up slick rock to get up to rolling desert above. BownBottom03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75063   W -111.18843        Elev: NaN Feet Drainage drops in from RDC (north). Down canyon from here the canyon begins to get more narrow with vertical walls but still overall wide easy wash walking. BownBottom04EE          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75051   W -111.18928        Elev: NaN Feet Can scramble up the RDC (north) side to rim walk down canyon along a wide slickrock shelf just above the canyon floor. BownBottom05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74989   W -111.18974        Elev: NaN Feet Huge boulder sitting in the middle of the wash. BownBottomTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74926   W -111.19033        Elev: 5,810 Feet Top of Bown Bottom Slot and a drop of about 6 feet down into a sandy hole that can hold shallow water after recent rains. Just after this drop are two more drops of about 4 feet each. The remainder of this lower canyon is a narrow walk through slot with a couple of very pretty sections worth seeing. The first section of this slot has three large boulders wedged between the walls that you walk under. BownBottom06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74805   W -111.19120        Elev: NaN Feet Pothole side drainage drops in from LDC (east). If desired you can walk / scramble up the side of this drainage to have a look around the area. Down canyon of this side drainage is a very pretty narrow section about 300 feet long with winding sculpted walls. BownBottom07          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74672   W -111.19317        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 10 feet that is easily bypassed on the RDC side. yBownBottomBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74651   W -111.19313        Elev: 5,760 Feet Lower end of Bown Bottom Slot where it opens up to wash walking. To exit walk / scramble up the RDC (north) side.

Bown Star (9) - Exit from Bown Bottom

yBownBottomBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74651   W -111.19313        Elev: 5,760 Feet Lower end of Bown Bottom Slot where it opens up to wash walking. To exit walk / scramble up the RDC (north) side. BownBottom08          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74684   W -111.19358        Elev: NaN Feet Rocks stacked that appears to be a cairn. To exit route find about 100 feet northwest up minor shelves up to open desert slopes going up to the northwest. BownBottom09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74695   W -111.19393        Elev: NaN Feet Now on open desert slopes, route find northwest about 0.2 miles up onto a very wide gentle ridge. BownBottom10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.74929   W -111.19586        Elev: NaN Feet On a wide gentle ridge, veer right (northeast) and follow up the wide ridge for about 800 feet to a minor peak along the ridge. BownBottom11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75131   W -111.19421        Elev: NaN Feet Minor peak along the ridge. Continue northeast along the wide ridge about 0.35 miles to another minor peak along the ridge. BownBottom12          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75620   W -111.19255        Elev: NaN Feet Minor peak along the ridge. Continue northeast along the wide ridge for about 850 feet to where you can veer left and travel northwest contouring around a drainage that is now wide and shallow. BownBottom13          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.75820   W -111.19069        Elev: NaN Feet Veer left and contour around to travel northwest crossing a drainage that is now wide and shallow. Continue northwest about 0.3 miles to contour around another drainage. BownBottom14          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76222   W -111.19220        Elev: NaN Feet Contour over a shelf in a drainage where travel is easy. Continue north to where you can start walking down dirt slopes toward the approach / exit ravine. BigBown06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76426   W -111.19311        Elev: NaN Feet Terrain transitions from steep dirt and rock ledges to more gentle terrain. On approach to the Big Bown Canyons turn left (east) and follow roughly along the top of the wide sandy ridge. The ridge is very wide and may not feel like a ridge. On exit, route find your way north down the slopes. BigBown05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76527   W -111.19383        Elev: NaN Feet Top of the steep slickrock above the approach ravine. On approach continue south about 400 feet up various dirt and rock ledges to where the terrain becomes gently sloped. On exit, scramble down the slickrock ledges to the head of the ravine. BigBown04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76562   W -111.19416        Elev: 5,940 Feet Top of the ravine. Turn left (south) and scramble up the steep slickrock for about 200 feet to get up onto rolling desert on the mesa top. This section is steep but ledges and features where you can choose one a few ways to scramble up through it. This section would be difficult to route find your way back down in the dark so returning before sunset is a good idea. BigBown03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76640   W -111.19319        Elev: NaN Feet Large house size boulder blocking the ravine. Walk under the boulder into a chamber in the boulder debris and continue scrambling up the ravine into a vegetated section. Follow up the left (southeast) side of the ravine as it splits a little farther up. Note: When scrambling up under the huge boulders you will scramble over a large rock with old steps carved in it. It appears this rock has fallen from above and was once part of a route with carved steps that has since fallen into the ravine. BigBown02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76659   W -111.19285        Elev: NaN Feet Bottom of the ravine to scramble up onto Big Bown Bench. BigBown01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.76747   W -111.19225        Elev: NaN Feet Start up the steep dirt and rock slope up toward a ravine. Travel is easiest up the ridge rather than directly up under the ravine. Once at the cliff band it is easy to traverse over and into the ravine. jBigBownApr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77156   W -111.19418        Elev: 5,475 Feet Leave main trail here to follow the approach up to Big Bown Bench. This spot with no distinct landmark and is about 800 feet after passing the large boulder along the trail and is after the trail crosses over the wash twice as it a sharp bend in the wash. To continue the Big Bown Bench approach, leave the trail and hike south across easy terrain for 0.3 miles to the Big Bown approach ravine. jHolyCow-Apr          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.77332   W -111.19234        Elev: 5,480 Feet A spot on the trail just past a very large boulder sitting next to the trail. From here you can get a visual on the approach route. Leave the trail here and hike about 900 feet west across the desert toward the rubble filled slope at the base of the cliff band. Looking west from here note a large light colored arch-like indention in the cliff band then note the saddle just to the left (south) of that. Just below that saddle is a ramp leading up the cliff side to a small patch of vegetation. Route find your way to that ramp. A large boulder filled ravine can be seen to the north from here and can optionally be used to approach Holy Cow but will add distance and time to the route as well as require scrambling some sketchy sections of steep slickrock. tLilDeathHlw          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.78402   W -111.18060        Elev: 5,550 Feet Trailhead for Little Death Hollow. Space for quite a few cars to park. The drainage down from here is sometimes referred to as Little Death Hollow but on maps is usually labeled as Death Hollow. To avoid confusion it is good to be aware that this is a different drainage from the Death Hollow about 17 miles west of here near the town of Escalante.