Lower Calf Creek Falls
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Near Boulder, UT
Image by Mark Brodkin @ www.markbrodkin.com
Image by Mark Brodkin
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). First off, this is a beautiful hike to enjoy the wonderful scenery. At this end of the hike is a wonderful waterfall - which you can photograph or just enjoy.
The hike is fairly straightforward, but moderately long 6.2 mile (round trip) with a 600 ft elevation gain hike through a beautiful canyon ending up at the Lower Calf Creek Falls
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
5,557 Ft. Elevation
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Photography Tips
Upon arriving at the end of your hike you will come to the end of the Lower Calf Creek Falls canyon and see this small, but wonderful waterfall. You can photograph the waterfall from several different positions (left side, straight on or even to the right side). The shot above was taken from the center-left.
You will need a shutter speed of at least 1/2 (but preferred 1 second) exposure to created the moving water effect of the falls.
Just walk around and find your best composition.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Calf Creek Recreation Area
From Escalante - drive 15.5 miles on UT 12 until you come to the entrance to Lower Calf Creek Falls recreation area. This is just a few hundred yards past the Escalante River Trailhead (you will see on the left side of the road). If you miss the turnoff, just drive up a mile or so and turn around.
Once you turn into the Lower Calf Creek Falls recreation area, walk past the campground and the 3.1 mile trail will begin. The path to the Lower Calf Creek falls is fairly straigtforward
Google Earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 45mm
Exposure – 1 sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Nov 4th
Time – 10:10 am
Other Images From This Location
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This location is best in the early morning (8:30 - 10:30 am) before the sun hits the back walls of the canyon.
Best Time of Year
This location can be photographed anytime of the year. However, the water flow is what makes this shot. I have found that fall is the best time - as the colorful foliage along with the modest temperatures makes for a more enjoyable experience.
Lens(es) Needed
There are several ways to shoot this location - but most good images can be made with a 24 - 105mm lens (keep in mind, this is a 6.2 mile hike).
The above image was taken @ 45mm.
Birds-Eye View From Google Earth Pro
Permits
A BLM permit is required for hiking to the falls. Hikers are charged a day use fee of $5.00 per vehicle.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is northwest around 320°.
Equipment Needed
As mentioned, this is a 6.2 mile round trip hike and you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/2 (but preferred 1 second) exposure to created the moving water effect of the falls.
With this in mind, you would benefit from a tripod and polorizing filter. If you have a lightweight (travel) tripod, that would be preferred.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
This is a beautiful hike and attacks many hikers. However, most folks are just hiking to see the falls and you will have plenty of room to photograph.
Weather
Lower Calf Creek Falls is in the Grand Staircase region of the southwest - where temperatures can vary up to 40° in a day. Spring and fall are nice, but summer can get into the 100°’s. The monsoon season (in late summer) brings violent but brief thunderstorms, which often cause flash floods.
Cell Service
There is NO cell service at this location.
Nearby Restaurants
The closest towns are Escalante. Escalante and Bolder.
In Escalante I have enjoyed a GREAT good pizza at Escalante Outfitters (don’t be fooled by the name) and a pretty good burger at Nemo’s Drive Thru. After a long day of hiking and photographing around Escalante you have some very good choices for dining.
Bolder, UT is a very small community (don’t even think they have a stoplight) but there are several very good places to dine. The Burr Trail and Hell’s Backbone Grill are both worth going out of your way for. I have not eaten at the Sweetwater Kitchen at the Bolder Mountain Ranch (as it is seasonal), but several people said it was great.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
In Escalante
Escalante Outfitters
310 W Main St, Escalante
(435) 826-4266
4th West Pub
425 W Main St, Escalante
(435) 826-4525
In Bolder
Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm
20 N Hwy 12 Boulder, UT
(435) 335-7464
Burr Trail Grill
10 N State Hwy 12 Boulder, UT
(435) 335-7511
Area Guides and Workshops
None