|
|
|
|
Behind the
Rocks
|
Moderate to
Advanced
|
|
|
1/2 to 1
day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Behind the Rocks is
a wonderful area of massive sandstone fins --
100-500 feet tall, 50-200 feet thick and up to 1/2
mile long. There are no established trails within
the area, you just choose your own route through
the maze of narrow corridors created by the fins,
an often fascinating experience. It is very easy to
get lost, however, so you'll need a compass and
some skill. (Remember that the fins are all
oriented east to west.) The area is currently under
consideration for wilderness designation and you
will find plenty of solitude here. Access is gained
from the Moab Rim Road, Hidden Valley Trail or
Pritchett Canyon Trail. (See below).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moab Rim
Road
|
Moderate
|
3 miles
oneway
|
940
feet
|
1-1/2 to 2
hrs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Moab Rim Road
is a primitive and difficult 4wd road along
[broken] slickrock. Along the route are good views
of the Colorado River, Moab Valley and the Behind
the Rocks area. It connects to the Hidden Valley
Trail described below. The trailhead is located on
Kane Creek Road, 2.5 miles southwest of downtown
Moab.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hidden Valley
|
Moderate
|
4 miles
oneway
|
680
feet
|
2-1/2 to 3
hrs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hidden Valley Trail
ascends steep switchbacks to Hidden Valley, a broad
[slickrock] shelf between the Moab Rim and Spanish
Valley. The trail gives nice views of the Behind
the Rocks area and Moab Valley. It shares a
termination point with the Moab Rim Road. [To get
to the trailhead, drive south on Hwy 191 3 miles
from Moab. Turn right onto Angel Rock Road
(Milepost 122) and proceed two blocks to Rimrock
Lane. Turn right and drive 500 yards to a parking
area.]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pritchett
Canyon
|
Moderate
|
9 miles
out/back
|
_______
|
4
hours
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pritchett Canyon
Trail is a very difficult 4wd road up canyon to
Pritchett Arch. Along the way is good canyon
scenery and nice views of the Behind the Rocks
area, as well as looks at some smaller arches. The
trailhead is located 4.8 miles down Kane Creek
Road, just before the road turns up canyon as a
dirt road. A private landowner charges users a
small fee for access.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hunters
Canyon
|
Moderate
|
6 miles
out/back
|
240
feet
|
3-1/2
hours
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hunters Canyon
Trail follows a path along a canyon bottom beneath
cottonwoods and through some heavy plant growth. In
spring Hunters Creek flows freely creating pleasant
pools along the route. About 1/2 mile in on the
right side is good-sized Hunters Arch. The trail
ends where heavy brush blocks the route. To get to
the trailhead, drive 3 miles up the dirt road
through Kane Creek Canyon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Select Arches or Canyonlands for information on the great hiking
opportunities in those national parks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following
outfitters will arrange and lead hiking
trips.
|
|
|
|
|
Arches &
Classic Helicopter Serv.
|
2251 S. Hwy. 191;
Box 296
|
435-259-4637
|
|
|
Canyonlands Field
Institute
|
1320 S. Hwy. 191;
Box 68
|
800-860-5262
|
|
|
Desert
Highlights
|
208 E. 200 South;
Box 1342
|
800-747-1342
|
|
|
Dreamrides
|
600 N. Main St.;
Box 1137
|
435-259-6419
|
|
|
Moab Adventure
Outfitters
|
550 N. Main
St.
|
435-259-2725
|
|
|
Moki Treks
|
320 Castle Valley
Dr.
|
435-259-4859
|
|
|
Navtec
Expeditions
|
321 N. Main St.;
Box 1267
|
800-833-1278
|
|
|
Nichols
Expeditions
|
497 N. Main
St.
|
800-648-8488
|
|
|
Tag Along
Expeditions
|
452 N. Main
St.
|
800-453-3292
|
|
The mailing address
for each outfitter includes "Moab, UT
84532."
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more details on these trails
and information about other hiking opportunities in the area,
select Moab-Publications for a list of books and maps covering
hiking (and other activities) in and near Moab.
|
|