Discovering Secret Views when Backpacking Reflection Canyon, Utah

Backpacking to Reflection Canyon is an incredible experience, but it’s not for the faint of heart. This is an advanced backpacking route that requires you to pack in all of your water, pack out all of your poop, and navigate with a GPS. There is no cell service, so have a map downloaded for offline use. You want to make sure you use a tool like weather.gov to check for rain in the forecast. Rain will make Hole in the Rock Road impassible. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. ✨Camp site GPS Coordinates I no longer give away this secret campsite. However, if you're willing to do a little extra hiking, you can get there. Here's a hit: avoid the big amphitheater when you first arrive, and hike south. ✨Rules and regulations You need a permit (issued for free and unlimited) at the Escalante Visitor’s Center. This helps protect the area and provides data for funding upkeep projects in Grand Staircase Escalante. No drones are allowed at Reflection Canyon. There was a group using drones here when we were here and it was exceptionally obnoxious. Respect other visitors. Again, you’ll need to carry WAG bags for human waste. You can purchase them here: https://bit.ly/43oRb89 Rule number 1 when visiting the desert is DON’T BUST THE CRUST! That weird, raised, bumpy soil you see is alive. It’s called cryptobiotic soil and it is an integral part of preventing erosion and allowing for plant life to thrive in the desert. It is fragile and stepping on it will ruin years of development. Stay on marked trails when possible. If you do venture into the backcountry, pay attention to where you’re walking. Camp and walk on hard surfaces where possible. Here are a few more resources for visiting responsibly. Practice Leave No Trace: https://bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit Hiking Safely in the desert: https://bit.ly/deserthikingtips Desert Camping Hacks: https://bit.ly/desertcampinghacks ✨Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ ✨ Additional Resources ✨ Backpacking Reflection Canyon: https://bit.ly/backpackreflectioncanyon ✨My favorite desert backpacking gear 👇 OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn SaltTabs Electrolyte Fast Chews (if you don’t like the water): https://amzn.to/4mTuum9 A way to carry 4 liters of water (I use a combo of SmartWater bottles and a bladder for hikes) Granite Gear Blaze (for any overall weight above 30 lbs): https://alnk.to/ge87E1A Snapfolds UL Bowl: https://alnk.to/c09W6w0 BRS 3000 Campstove (budget-friendly, but flimsy): https://alnk.to/dezeYeS Silver Shadow Mini Sun Umbrella by Six Moon Designs: https://alnk.to/6xMrH5r Gossamer Gear Hands-free Umbrella Pack Clips: https://alnk.to/aWFoduk One Hydration Drinking tube for SmartWater Bottle: https://alnk.to/4XxCRKZ Ratsack medium: https://amzn.to/45R7GNz Loksak: https://amzn.to/43FMfOf Sunscreen stick: https://amzn.to/43PDbq9 REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gossamer Gear foldable, full-length foam pad (affordable, lighter, less durable): https://alnk.to/eZIOMik Thermarest Z Lite (more durable, pricier, better R value): https://rei.pxf.io/raqDrG Thermarest NeoLoft Pad - wide: https://rei.pxf.io/VxvY9R Enlightened Equipment Enigma Sleeping Quilt 20F: https://alnk.to/aWFodLm Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow: https://alnk.to/4BI6UnI NiteCore NB10000 Gen 2 Power Bank: https://alnk.to/c09W6sB Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Culo Clean Bidet: https://amzn.to/4l08ST7 WAG Bags: https://rei.pxf.io/OevKQW Big Agnes Copper Spur (I own 1p, 2xl, 3xl and LOVE them all): https://rei.pxf.io/2aL5zD More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest ✨About the Photos and Video: Transparency is important to me when it comes to photography. There is Instagram and there is reality. And you should be inspired by BOTH. I intentionally use photos and videos that have been edited for color and lighting, and ones that haven’t. All the photos and videos you see of Reflection Canyon were taken by me. I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!). ✨Time stamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:18 - What to bring 00:47 - Difficulty 01:05 - Reaching the trailhead 01:20 - The approach hike 01:42 - Route finding 01:53 - Iconic viewpoint 02:03 - The secret camp site 02:31 - visiting responsibly 02:39 - outro 02:51 - outtakes