Cassidy, Rich & Ledge Point Trail Loop

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Red Canyon
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Cassidy, Rich & Ledge Point Trail Loop

Page Type:	Route
Lat/Lon:	37.74483°N / 112.3019°W
Route Type:	Hiking
Season:	Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Difficulty:	Hike
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Overview

Cassidy Trail is 9 miles long. It starts on Route 12 in Red Canyon and heads north going beyond the junction with Losee Canyon Trail to end at Casto Canyon Trail. Rich Trail is 2 miles long. It starts in the southern parts of Cassidy Trail and goes parallel to it. The loop described here will take you from Route 12 in Red Canyon north to Brayton Point on the southern rim of Losee Canyon. It then goes south to Ledge Point to give you a good view of Red Canyon before returning to Route 12.

The 19th century outlaw Butch Cassidy is said to have hidden in this area after a brawl in the nearby town of Panguitch.

Map

Getting There

From the intersections of Routes 89 and 12 (6 miles to the southeast of Panguitch, UT), drive more than 4 miles east on Route 12. Between mile markers 4 and 5 (west of the tunnels) look for trailhead on the north side of the road. Make sure you do not mistake this trailhead with “Butch Cassidy Draw” on the east side of the tunnels.

Route Description

Place	Elevation	Distance
Trailhead	7300 ft	zero
Brayton Point	7880 ft	2.15 miles
Ledge Point	7850 ft	0.95 miles
Back to trailhead	7300 ft	2.20 miles
Total	-	5.30 miles

Trailhead

When I was in the area, the trails were well signed. Follow Cassidy Trail north at the bottom of a valley among the red hills.

After 0.80 miles, you will reach the signed junction with Rich Trail on the left. Continue straight on Cassidy Trail.

The trail makes a few turns and goes up to reach the top of a plateau where you will find tall trees (You will go past 2 other signed intersections with Rich Trail. Continue on Cassidy Trail).

At 2.15 miles you will reach Brayton Point. You will suddenly find yourself 400 vertical feet above the bottom of Losee Canyon. The views are spectacular.

Cassidy Trail continues north. To do the loop described here you must retrace your way back south to the intersection with Rich Trail and then follow Rich Trail south to reach the intersection with Ledge Point Trail.

Follow Ledge Point Trail south a short distance to the end of it at Ledge Point where you will have good views of Red Canyon more than 500 feet below.