Off-Trail Hiking to the Cosmic Ashtray in Utah

Hiking to the Cosmic Ashtray is quite the novelty. The hike itself isn’t all that amazing, but seeing such a unique landmark pop out of nowhere is quite the experience! My friends and I like to joke that this place is so strange, it’s actually a portal to a hidden dimension. But you need to be in the know before you go. There is no official trail, meaning you’re going to want a GPS track to follow. Hike responsibly! 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 am no longer giving up the exact coordinates to this campsite. However, you can find great camping along both starting points of this hike. Just remember to LEAVE NO TRACE! Pack it in, and PACK IT OUT. This includes your toilet paper, wrappers, and fruit peels! ✨Cosmic Ashtray GPS coordinates: N 37.68326, W 111.31537 ✨ Additional Resources ✨ Hiking to the Cosmic Ashtray: https://bit.ly/4bJd5Gs ✨Visiting responsibly 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/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foxintheforestblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ For the latest local info about the best outdoor hot spots in Utah (including places you’ve never heard of before), head on over to www.foxintheforest.net. ✨My favorite desert hiking 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) One Hydration Drinking tube for SmartWater Bottle: https://alnk.to/4XxCRKZ REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvVaq 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 Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG Sunscreen stick: https://amzn.to/43PDbq9 Joshua Tree SPF Lip Balm: https://amzn.to/43CJkpo WAG Bags: https://rei.pxf.io/OevKQW More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest NOTE These are affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot, so thank you! Snag the Desert Packing List: https://bit.ly/desertpackinglist ✨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 the Cosmic Ashtray were taken by me or my hiking buddy. I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!). #utah #escalante #hikingadventures #hikingadventures #hiking ✨Time stamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:11 - Safety and hiking responsibly 00:42 - Best time to hike to the Cosmic Ashtray 00:59 - Reaching the trailhead 01:18 - Trail information 01:40 - How to find the Cosmic Ashtray 02:02 - Things to do at the Ashtray 02:17 - Nearby camping 02:37 - Outro