Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.17705°N / 109.81453°W |
Route Type:
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Hiking |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Time Required:
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Less than two hours |
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Difficulty:
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Hike |
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Overview
This 2.4 mile loop trail takes you over a slickrock peninsula between Little Spring Canyon to the east and Big Spring Canyon to the west. You will find 4 designated viewpoints on the trail; the first 3 give you views of Little Spring Canyon or its branches and the 4th gives you views of Big Spring Canyon. Along the way, you will also have great views of Island in the Sky Mesa to the distant north and the Needles to the distant south.Getting There
From the entrance station drive 6.5 miles on the main road to the signed parking area on the right side before the end of the road.Route Description
MapTrailhead is right on the main road.
Follow the cairns up a short distance to reach a slickrock area. You will see The Needles to the south.
The Needles
La Sal Mountains will be visible to the northeast.
La Sal MountainsYou will then reach viewpoint #1
After the viewpoint, the trail splits starting the loop. This description goes right and returns from left. The trail continues on slickrock.
Viewpoint #2.
Keep following the cairns on slickrock.
At Viewpoint #3 you will see the junction of Little and Big Spring Canyons. Island in the Sky Mesa will also be in good view.
Island in the Sky
More slickrock hiking.
At Viewpoint #4 you will see Big Spring Canyon.
Big Spring canyon
Big Spring CanyonThe trail then heads south returning to where the loop started giving you good views of the slickrock country, canyons and The Needles.
The Needles
Red Butte
The Needles
Big Spring Canyon
Island in the Sky & Junction Butte
The Needles