Edmaier's Secret

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In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience

Edmaier's Secret - Utah

What to do if you have little time : Edmaier's Secret

Edmaier's Secret is one of the many jewels in House Rock Valley Road. Although easy to access, this site is uncrowded. It is also very extensive, so even if it was a little more crowded, it would still feel like being alone. The exploration of this place is done on slickrock which sometimes reminds Yant Flat at the beginning with its shells of turtles, sometimes Coyote Buttes South on the end with its tortured rocks. In many places, like in Little Finland (Nevada), you will come across extremely fragile "lace". It is therefore a very varied landscape.

Edmaier's Secret is located on a west hillside, so it is in the shade in the morning. The ideal is to go there in the afternoon until the end of the afternoon. Some areas are also very photogenic at sunset.

Length and duration of the hike 5 miles one way - 2h15

4 to 5 hours

Free

GPS trail to download

The hike is 10 miles round trip to West Clark Bench, the southern end of Edmaier's Secret. The trailhead is at Buckskin Gulch's car park right after Buckskin Wash. You must then follow the wash for 1,73 miles before turning to the left and go under a fence (GPS N37°03'03.8" W111°59'38.6"). Then take a south-south-east direction for about 0,3 miles walking in the sand, until you see the slickrock of Edmaier's Secret. To go to West Clark Bench, walk on the slickrock heading south. About 0,3 mile before arriving at West Clark Bench, you will go through a "wave" (N37°01'27.4" W111°59'42.9") then a small arch (N37°01'24.1" W111°59'39.0"). Between the beginning of Edmaier's Secret and West Clark Bench, there is about 820 feet of denivelation.

Access : between Kanab and Page, take the House Rock Valley Road for 4,5 miles and park at the Buckskin Gulch Trailhead parking lot. If the wash is impassable by car, you can park just before. The start of the trail is a few tens of yards away.

To see around

Lodging

The accommodations, although abundant in Page, are however insufficient and very expensive. It becomes very difficult to find accommodation in Page. We strongly advise you to book in advance. Otherwise, you may not find accommodation or pay very expensive. We have tested :

Page - Wahweap Campground : campsite located on the edge of lake Powell. This campground is large with many locations. These sites are large, equipped with a table and a barbecue. There is however only a few shady locations. The prices are quite high ($ 26 in 2014). The toilets are new and very clean (pay showers). There is a small supermarket at the office, to buy cold drinks or ice for the coolers.

Camping de Page

Lone Rock : campsite located on Lake Powell. No location defines, no table or pit fire. Dry toilets available. $ 14 per night in 2017. Emergency solution when the Wahweap Campground is full and the hotels are overpriced.

Page - Rodeway Inn : located in the center of Page. Hotel consistent with what you would expect from these chains. Breakfast included. Very high price but it is "normal" we are in Page ($ 220 per room for 4 people in September 2017).
Kanab - Hitch N Post : very nice little camping under the almond trees. Very warm welcome by a former National Park ranger. The sites are large enough to put 2 tents. The price is $ 23 per night (in September 2014).
Kanab - Crazy Horse Campark : campground with old restrooms and not well marked tent sites. 23$ per night in september 2017.

Kanab - Red Rock Country Inn : classic motel, no breakfast, only coffee (the room for 4 is 78$ in september 2017).
Fredonia - Grand Canyon Motel : "the hotel of cats". Cabin for 44$ the night. The only interest of this hotel is its unbeatable rate ! The office is of an incredible stench because of the tens of cats and their smell. The cabins are dated but don't smell as awful as the office, thankfully ! No breakfast.