All-Terrain Wheelchair Assault on Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls was one of our most difficult all-terrain wheelchair adventures. The trail is very rocky and uneven which meant we had to lift and tilt the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair often as we made progress on the trail. It tested everyone’s fitness level to the max as we made our way up the trail to the waterfall.

Our All-Terrain Wheelchair hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls was fueled by lies.

Lie #1: “That’s the worst of it, everyone!” 

I began shouting this lie moments after leaving the parking lot. Every difficult section of the trail we passed I pointed out was the most difficult and it would get easier from here on out. Anyone who has ever been hiking knows that the farther away you get from the trailhead the worse or more difficult a trail becomes. If the trail starts out muddy it could end up snowy. Start out steep it will get steeper. As we maneuvered our all-terrain wheelchair up the trail I hoped this lie would keep the group’s spirits up.

Lie #2: “We don’t get tired.”

Pushing the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair up this trail made us very tired. Occasionally we would stop to rest and I would feel myself nodding off while I was standing up. When I felt myself start to fall over during one of our breaks I would say, “Let’s get going, everyone.” I wanted to stay moving so I didn’t fall asleep.

Before the hike, I had seen a great video by motivational speaker and entrepreneur Jesse Itzler and I wanted to try it. There is something helpful about staying positive and saying it out loud that can actually help you feel better when you are in a situation like this. I was in the worst shape of my life when we did this hike and I needed all the help I could get.

@jesseitzler I DON’T GET TIRED! #JesseItzler ♬ original sound – Jesse Itzler

You are an angel among us

There is one section of this trail that is too narrow for the chair to pass through. A large rock has fallen from the cliff wall above and the trail weaves between this rock and the canyon wall. You can hear the waterfall in the distance, you know you are in the home stretch. I’m feeling shattered after doing most of the pushing up the trail.

In order to make it past this rock we had to take Sam out of the all-terrain wheelchair and I would carry him on my back. While the other people in our group lifted the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair around the rock. Sam and I went ahead through the narrow passage and waited there for the chair to arrive.

I’m bent at the waist at about a 90-degree angle so Sam doesn’t fall off my back waiting for the all-terrain wheelchair. Staring right at the sand in front of me. There in the middle of nowhere on this desert trail, I notice a small wooden coin or token lying on top of the sand. It takes my eyes a moment to focus on the words, but it reads, “You are an angel among us.”

I’m not a religious person, I don’t take Sam on adventures in the Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair because I think there is some amazing reward for doing so in the next life. I just honestly like hanging out with him. He’s my best friend and we laugh together more than anyone else.

However, it was difficult to ignore the circumstance of that token just happening to be on that trail in the exact spot where I was bent over to holding Sam on my back. I would have walked right past it if we didn’t need to wait for the chair. The combination of my exhaustion and thinking that by some cosmic coincidence, I was being called an angel was too much and I started to cry.

But you can’t cry your way to Calf Creek Falls. I quickly pulled myself together and we finished pushing the all-terrain wheelchair to the waterfall in the desert. There was a lot of cheering and a few pictures taken but it’s hard to celebrate when you know this is an out-and-back trail and you are about to have to hike everything that had just kicked your butt a second time.

Hiking back to the trailhead with our Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair isn’t shown in the video. Reaching the waterfall was the best ending but you should know we worked just as hard getting back to the car as we did getting to the waterfall. It took a lot of teamwork but together we all had an amazing experience that we promised to never attempt again.

Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail Report

The Lower Calf Creek Falls hike is a beautiful and rewarding adventure located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah. Here’s a detailed description:

Trail Overview

• Distance: 6.0 miles round trip

• Elevation Gain: 521 feet

• Difficulty: Moderately difficult due to sandy sections

• Duration: Approximately 3-5 hours

Trail Description The hike begins at the Calf Creek Campground1. You’ll start by walking along the campground road until you reach the official trailhead on your left. At the trailhead, you’ll find a sign-in box and pamphlets with information about the hike.

As you hike, you’ll pass through stunning canyon scenery, including large cliff faces, pictographs, and views of Calf Creek. The trail is well-marked and mostly follows a gradual incline. There are 15 numbered posts along the trail that correspond to points of interest described in the pamphlet.

Points of Interest

• Pictographs: You’ll see ancient rock art along the trail.

• Granaries: Remnants of structures built by the Fremont Culture between 700-1300 AD.

• Scenic Views: Enjoy breathtaking views of the canyon and creek.

Waterfall and Swimming Hole The highlight of the hike is the 126-foot Lower Calf Creek Falls. The trail ends at a beautiful swimming hole at the base of the falls, where you can take a refreshing dip, especially during the hot summer months.

Tips for Hikers

• Timing: Best to hike from spring through fall. Summer can be very hot, so carry plenty of water.

• Pets: Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.

• Parking: Limited parking at the trailhead, so arrive early.

• Camping: First-come, first-served campsites are available at the campground.

This hike is a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty of Southern Utah and enjoy a day of outdoor adventure.

Similar Adventures you may enjoy:

Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park

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