Ep 086. Escalante Route Grand Canyon Day 2 (Trail Series). Side Quests & a Private River Beach Campsite

Welcome back to the Escalante Route Trail Series—daily trail dispatches from our backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon.Day 2 delivered everything we love about canyon travel: mellow morning miles, ambitious side quests, and terrain that looks impossible until the route reveals itself.We eased out of camp through shaded river walking before climbing up toward Unkar Hill and the ruins, detouring in true Grand Canyon fashion to chase pottery dreams and expansive viewpoints. From there, we tackled long, off-camber traverses and an unrelenting descent back toward the river.And then... reward. We landed at one of the most unexpectedly luxurious campsites imaginable: a private-feeling river beach complete with swimming, sunbathing, yoga, and the sound of rapids in the background.In this episode:Side quests to ruins and canyon overlooksRoute finding across improbable terrainLong traverses and knee-testing descentsSwimming and lounging at a dream river campReflections on luxury, solitude, and desert magic🎧 Hit play for side quests, classic Grand Canyon route-finding, and one of the best campsites of the entire trip.Where to learn more about Allison:She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.Learn more and join our waitlists for these programs here:BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLISTTHE ADVENTUROUS REINVENTION EXPERIENCE WAITLISTROCK CLIMBING RETREATS WAITLIST