Toadstool Hoodoos, Utah

This is the most accessible and easiest day hike within the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. 

It's only about 2 miles total (out and back) with little elevation change. The parking is along the paved road, meaning no worries about dirt road driving. Most trails start along dirt road  in Grand Staircase, so this is unusual. The downside of this hike is that you can't expect solitude, which is always the case for Grand Staircase. The parking lot had more than 20 cars when we were there, since it was mid-afternoon when normal people are out for hiking. For us this was 2nd hike of the day. 

Despite the easiness, the scenery is quite striking. I think that hoodoos are the most eerie shape in the naturally made things. Yes it is geologically explained how those were created by ice wedging and I believe it, but still I am like "How come this weird and strange shape can be made?!" 

For those who are not familiar with hoodoos, here is the Toadstool Hoodoo. 

Toadstool Hoodoo

I first saw hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park and those are I think most famous place for hoodoos. Actually hoodoos are not only there, they are everywhere in American Southwest. In other places you can observe hoodoos in more solitude way. During this 2024 winter trip in the West, we did three hoodoo day hikes. This Toadstool Hoodoos hike is the least solitude, but still great. Other two hikes, which were much remote, will be posted in the future. 

Despite the short distance, this hike has many things to see in addition to Toadstool Hoodoo.

Left picture has an interesting two color layers. How clear the line between brown and white colors is. Amazing. Beyond the Toadstool Hoodoos, there is no official trail but you can just walk around. 

There are at least 50 hoodoos in the area. It is really bizarre feeling and interesting to see how unique each hoodoo is. 

Another interesting color bands scenery. This is the very West view. The blue sky is terrific. 

After we enjoyed this mid-afternoon fantastic hike, we headed for the evening-sunset hike (third hike of the day) when normal people go to a restaurant for dinner.