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Mollies Nipple - Grand Staircase Escalante

Summary: A half day hike / scramble to the summit of Mollies Nipple.
Directions: From Page, drive west on Highway 89 to Utah milepost 37. Turn north onto Nipple Ranch Road and drive 10.2 miles to where the road forks. Turn right, passing through a gate (if it's closed when you arrive, close it behind you) and drive a mile and turn right onto a sandy road which soon passes between two large boulders. The distance from this point to Mollies is about 4.5 miles. Where you park depends on how confident you are that you won't get stuck. Passenger cars should park here. Most high clearance vehicles should be able to drive about 1.2 miles in to a high point in the road. A road runs right to the base of the peak, so you may be able to avoid a road walk altogether. Park wherever is convenient.
Road Conditions: High Clearance Vehicle
Navigation: Easy
Length: 1-9 miles, depending on where you park
Date Hiked: November, 2007
Weather Conditions: Cool and sunny
Required Skills:
Hike Description: From your car simple walk down the sandy road as it winds through the junipers towards the peak. At the 4 mile point the road splits. Take the obvious left fork which heads 0.5 miles to the base of the mountain. From there, simply scramble straight up the south side of the mountain. Be careful with your footing, the rock on the slope is loose in sections. Stick to the larger rocks which are less prone to sliding. About 3/4 of the way up, pick out a use trail as it leads just to the left of the highest point of the hill to the base of the capstone that makes up the peak. You'll have to use your hands in a few places to climb this rock to the summit, which features spectacular 360 degree views of Kitchen Canyon to the north, Starlight Canyon to the east and the Pink Cliffs in the distance to the northwest. When ready, return the way you came.
Rating (1-5 stars):
The author walked the road 3.5 miles to Mollies Nipple, completed the climb and returned in 5 hours.
Maps: Trails Illustrated - Canyons of the Escalante
Click here for a map of the hike.
Books:  Hiking and Exploring the Paria River - Michael Kelsey
Photos: Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page.

Mollies nipple.
Views from the Summit.