Maverick Natural Bridge
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Utah Rt. 12 between Escalante and Boulder is, in the author’s opinion, the most scenic drive in the State. It is also the only highway which crosses the Escalante River.
Park at this crossing. Hike downstream along the Escalante River, bypassing private land, and wade across the River at 0.8 miles (you’ll have to get your feet wet again further downstream too). At about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, follow the sandy floor of a tributary wash entering from the right (south). This is Phipps Wash. About a half mile up Phipps Wash, look for a large sandstone tower. Before passing the tower, hike up the small tributary entering from the right. Maverick Bridge is about a tenth of a mile up this side canyon. You can walk beneath it along the tributary channel or bypass it on the left and access it from above. The Bridge has a span of 20 ft. There is a cave below the
bridge which has a length of 50 ft. and a height of 16 ft.
Photo by Allen Crockett |
