In November 1934, Ruess roamed into the dusty town of Escalante where he spent several weeks. From Escalante he penned, "I enjoy [the] beauty and the vagrant life I lead more keenly all the time. I prefer the saddle to the streetcar, and the star-sprinkled sky to the roof, the obscure and difficult trail leading into the unknown to the paved highway, and the deep peace of the wild to the discontent bred by cities."

Ruess never stayed anywhere long. Compelled to move on, Ruess left Escalante for his next solitary adventure, riding into the canyons along the Hole in the Rock Trail. Then he disappeared. Everett Ruess vanished when he was 20 years old. His burros were found in Davis Canyon of the Great Staircase near Escalante. At Lake Powell, his canteen, razor blades, and other personal items have since been found in the numerous searches conducted since his disappearance. No one knows what happened to Ruess exactly; his body has never been found. Rumors whisper that he may have fallen from a cliff, been shot, caught in a flash flood, or killed by Indians. Ruess loved nature and his vagabond lifestyle. Becoming increasingly secluded, Ruess may have disappeared intentionally. He wrote: "I shall go on some last wilderness trip to a place I have known and loved. I shall not return. When I go I leave no trace." Perhaps this is a clue. Perhaps Ruess is still alive, living isolated from civilization. Since 1934, several people claim to have seen Ruess, though no account has been authenticated. If still alive, Ruess can be identified by the three-turquoise bracelet he wears on his wrist.