// Adventures and Photography from the Colorado Plateau, Rocky Mountains & Beyond. And while Canyonlands National Park is the largest in Utah, it isn't the most visitedboth Zion and Arches get . Conditions of other trails are more primitive, traversing a mixture of slickrock benches and sandy washes. Once it did, we headed over to the gate near Cave Spring to start hiking and take our chances with the weather. 2282 Resource Blvd. Upper Salt Creek Canyon Trail. This longer hike leads past a historic corral on the mesa top. The Maze Overlook Trail and other routes in the district require basic climbing maneuvers in order to negotiate sections of steep slickrock and pour-offs. You can make this easier for them by making noise when hiking in the backcountry talk with your companions, sing a song, whistle. My shadow in the doorway of Kirks Cabin. . Permits are required for all overnight trips into the backcountry. Unfortunately, the temperature never got cold enough and the roads were still a sloppy mess on Thursday morning. The Maze Map [949k PDF file] There are two major creek crossings with steep banks. The clouds and light were looking good today, it's just too bad I wasn't feeling well enough to take many photos. Predatory attacks are rare but may occur under unusual circumstances. Not Permitted: Soft Sided Ursacks What do you think? This is a place I have wanted to visit for quite a long time. You must have a permit for single day or overnight use. The last 0.25 mile at the upper end is steep with one ladder and some scrambling. I was very excited to finally experience this amazing canyon, and it certainly didnt disappoint! UT Net elevation change is generally several hundred feet or less, except for the Lower Red Lake Trail, which drops 1,400 feet to the Colorado River. Although most trails can be hiked in a day by strong hikers, many form loops and may be combined with other trails for longer trips. Watch for tracks, droppings, diggings, and other bear signs. Longer trails are especially rough and require negotiating steep passes with drop-offs, narrow spots, or ladders. In the end we decided to go for it this evening, and as expected it was a huge muddy mess and very slippery! Head out on this 18.2-km out-and-back trail near Rico, Colorado. This was my cue to leave my house so I could meet them in Moab. Conditions on salt cannot be beat. This is another favorite pictograph that I was happy to return to. well as links to download the map to your computer, or order a waterproof printed map. No vehicle camping inside the park. To download language translations of the park map, or for brochures on additional topics, visit the Publications page. Follow the wash to the White Rim Road. View Full Screen Map From granaries and grinding stones to petroglyphs and cliff dwellings, Salt Creek is teeming with Ancestral Puebloan culture. The GNIS Feature Detail Report for Salt Creek Canyon does not include property ownership information. 3,463. About 50 miles of challenging backcountry roads lead to campsites, trailheads, and many natural and cultural features. Jerry walking across a loose ledge to some crude ruins. This location's average precipitation levels are The golden light then turned to a beautiful red. Although I dont own a Sony camera.all these photos were taken with my Canon 6D mkII. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. You might detect carcasses by the presence of ravens or coyotes. Most places to camp in the Needles are named campsites in designated locations. With minor elevation changes, this trail is a great way to see some varied plant life. Carry a map, extra gallons of water, and a flashlight. Thanks for sharing. We set up camp at our usual spot outside the park and then drove down the Colorado River Overlook Road so we could go on a quick hike to the Lower Jump of Salt Creek. Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the parks natural and cultural features. I certainly would not recommend driving up to the Cathedral Butte Trailhead in a storm like this! There is a high risk of vehicle damage, and towing costs usually exceed $1,500. Directions Print/PDF map Length 20.8 miElevation gain 685 ftRoute type Point to point Get to know this 20.8-mile point-to-point trail near Blanding, Utah. Tsunami Block 1 Weather is unavailable at this time Description This side canyon off of CO Highway 141 is filled with boulders. Eventually we reached the Upper Jump of Salt Creek, which would be the furthest we would go today. It was 26 degrees out when we woke up on Thursday morning with a few new inches of fresh snow on the ground and it was still snowing lightly out. Ive been trying to find this Barrier Canyon Style pictograph for years and was happy to finally see it! Dave had a little trouble getting back down and this was taken when he was relieved to make it past the most difficult part. Daves Jeep at our campsite trying to wait out the snowstorm that would never end. Related terms: barranca, canyon, chasm, cove, draw, glen, gorge, gulch, gulf, hollow, ravine. You must have an overnight permit for all overnight trips in the backcountry. BLM Location: 38.680, -108.979 (Gateway) Seasons: All year, though affected by snow in the winter Rating (1-5): Most of what I would most like to see is located between Kirk Cabin & Upper Jump so I am very interested in your opinion since you have done it both ways as to which represents the better option; the long one way pack down canyon from Cathedral Butte to Peekaboo or the in & out round trip between Cathedral Butte & Upper Jump? This is a place I have wanted to visit for quite a long time. If you plan to visit Canyonlands during peak season, it is recommended that you make reservations well in advance. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. A wonderful loop hike with some difficult sections climbing between the two canyons. A view of Salt Creek Ridgely Arch as we hiked back up to the trailhead on Sunday. Free printable topographic map of Salt Creek in Mesa County, CO including photos, elevation & GPS coordinates. Interesting how they constructed a floor across the gap in the ledge here. Overview of at-large backpacking zones in the district The landscape below the mesa top is a mixture of talus slopes and vast basins without any reliable water sources. Both of these panels had been very high on my list of rock art sites to visit and we would be passing by both of them today. They loaded their gear into my Jeep and we drove up to the trailhead near Cathedral Butte. Elevation change: 300 feet / 91 m, Island in the Sky's steepest trail rapidly descends 1,400 feet (427 m) to the White Rim bench. Thats where I saw a few similar pictographs to the ones we had just visited above our campsite. Overview of at-large backpacking zones in the district 2282 Resource Blvd. Routes into the canyons are cairned from mesa top to canyon bottom, but routes through washes are often unmarked. By A.D. 1200, there was a major occupation in Salt Creek Canyon in the Needles District. Similar to the Big Spring to Wooden Shoe Canyon loop, but travels deeper into a canyon. The road is too sandy for mountain bikes. Im not sure if the figure on the right would be classified as Barrier Canyon Style or not? The conditions turned out to be much better than the forecast had indicated! Recommended as a multi-day hike. I visited the Upper Jump in the evening before sunset to take a few photos of the waterfall. The temperature really pushed the limits of my 25 degree sleeping bag and my feet were pretty cold in the morning. There are outstanding views of the Colorado River canyon. This granary was hidden high up in a cave. Finding this colorful Fremont pictograph was one of the highlights of the trip! Category: Colorado physical, cultural and historic features; Feature Name: Salt Creek Canyon, Type: Physical, Class: Valley, County: Mesa, Nearest Prominent Town: Bedrock, CO, FID: 185542, Coordinates: Latitude 38.5619126 and Longitude -108.9200329. . The road follows a canyon bottom where deep sand, deep water, and quicksand are common. A stunning out-and-back trail, this walk showcases spectacular panoramic views as it follows the canyon edge. Many different itineraries are possible, but some of the more popular ones are listed below. After the bear leaves A few crude pictographs that we came across. bear canisters). It is essential that you choose an area on bare rock, in a sandy wash, or other areas devoid of biological soil crusts. Thank you. Jet boat shuttles are available from two companies: 2282 Resource Blvd. The trail is probably most popular as a mountain bike descent. Light on the sandstone formations above camp as the day comes to an end. But all the country out there is amazing. Jan 17, 2012. A closer look at these Barrier Canyon Style pictographs that look like figures you would find on the west side of the Colorado River, not in The Needles. The clearing storm left behind some nice clouds in the sky throughout the day. Salt Creek Canyon. Many archeological sites and arches. Each night would warm up more than the previous on this trip. From the gate at Cave Spring, hikers follow Salt Creek Canyon for 2.5 miles before reaching Horse Canyon. Photos provided by Flickr are under the copyright of their owners. Salt Creek Canyon | Backcountry Post Your sightings of bears, bear tracks, and other evidence can help us stay informed of bear activity in the park. Very limited trailhead parking. It was painted above a ruin that is now mostly collapsed. Water is scarce; bring at least 1 quart (1 L) of water per person for short trails, and up to 1 gallon (4 L) for long trails. Amazing. . A smoke-stained ceiling above this small alcove with broken-down walls. Just stunning. Enjoy views of the La Sal Mountains and fanciful sandstone knobs on this varied and challenging hike to the White Rim. It looks similar to a Fremont petroglyph Ive seen at Fremont Indian State Park. There was snow on the ground until we passed Kirks Cabin and reached the side trail into Big Pocket. If you are attacked by a predatory bear, do not play dead. Several short trails explore the mesa top with minimal elevation change, enjoying canyon views from above. This is an inaccessible granary that Jerry and I have walked by multiple times and never noticed, until Diane spotted it this trip. We drove over and had no problem getting them unstuck, and then we drove over to the Visitor Center where we met up with Jerry. Besides white dots and reverse handprints, connected triangles were also a common theme along the way. Pepper spray may temporarily incapacitate or cause discomfort in bears. Salt Creek Trail (#618): 8 Reviews, Map - Colorado | AllTrails Vehicles (or a combination of vehicles and trailers) that exceed 21 feet in overall length are prohibited from traveling on Elephant Hill Access Road and the Elephant Hill road system at The Needles. An obligatory photo of the popular pictographs found at Peekaboo. Elevation change: 100 feet (30 m), The trail follows a sandy wash, then splits. We spent the evening watching the sunset from along the Pothole Point Trail. If these are unavailable, hang food and other odorous items in a sturdy bag as high as possible in a tree. Wait several minutes before moving. After that we watched the sunset from along the Pothole Point Trail before returning to our campsite after dark. Salt Creek Canyon/Sinbad Valley Bouldering - Mountain Project No large towns within a 20 miles radius found. Of course, we had to stop and visit the amazing All American Man pictograph. Please review maps of designated campsites and at-large backpacking zones before planning your trip. After returning to camp and packing up, we started the long hot hike out. The road is too sandy for most mountain bikes. Never approach or camp near a carcass. If the bear doesnt see you, keep out of its sight, and detour as far as possible behind and downwind of the bear. UT Campsites in the Salt Creek area require the use of approved hard-sided food storage containers (e.g. The trail offers vast views from the Murphy Hogback, then returns up a wash. After descending 1,300 feet (396 m) past a large alcove, the trail meanders in a wide canyon to the base of the notable Moses and Zeus towers. This time it was the Seven Faces! Thanks Dianne! Cathedral Point reflected in a pothole just before sunset. Great report, I enjoyed a lot! Read about backpacking. Step carefully, and don't forget to look up to take in the view. From there, a foot trail climbs over 1,000 feet to the Doll House. Copyright 2023 HTL, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Long trails at. Backpackers in heavily traveled areas stay in designated campsites, primarily at The Needles. All trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Planning an overnight trip? View prehistoric rock paintings at the end of the trail near Peekaboo camp. No water before reaching the river. To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 54 min to complete. This tall granary was built in a shallow alcove underneath a large boulder. Salt Creek is a creek in Canyonlands National Park, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Colorado Plateau, Butler Wash Wilderness Study Area, UT. There was a family of backpackers from California who had hiked up to the trailhead on Wednesday evening before we went to bed and were stuck there overnight hoping that the road would freeze so they could drive out in the morning since they had a 2WD minivan and another AWD vehicle. The sky was almost clear again when we continued on down the trail. The only time I had an issue was when it was raining and very slippery out. Information about the history of Horseshoe Canyon. We took shelter in the alcove near the rock art and waited the storm out. Leave food like bacon, tuna, ham, and scented personal products at home. Interactive map of mines in Colorado | American Geosciences Institute Moab, Four short, self-guided trails along the paved scenic drive highlight different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. During the spring and fall, demand for permits is very high. Get Current Demographic Data for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes, View Boundary Maps, for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes, Locate Physical, Cultural, and Historical Features, Colorado physical, cultural and historic features. We recommend using dry, sealed foods; they are lighter and less aromatic. Visitors with two-wheel-drive vehicles may park at the North Point Road junction, approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Hans Flat Ranger Station, and hike 15 miles to the Maze Overlook. Although I have spent a lot of time in this canyon over the years, Diane had never been here before, so I was looking forward to showing her around on her first visit and searching for new traces of the ancient ones that called this canyon home. A four-wheel-drive road extends up the canyon as far as Fortress . The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used 2282 Resource Blvd. Report Sightings This was another panel that I was hoping to find on this trip. Watch for carcasses and stay away from them. Canyonlands River Tours: ( 800) 394-9978, (435) 259-5261. Great reading as always, transports me away. We setup camp under the butte and across the road from the trailhead so we could get an early start the following morning. Shows Island in the Sky district campsites, roads, and trails with brief overview text (black and white). temperature measurements is GATEWAY 1 SE which is approximately 9 miles away and has an elevation of 4,550 feet (135 feet lower than Salt Creek Canyon). Trails are usually marked with cairns (small rock piles) and have signs at intersections. The Four Faces were just as nice as I had hoped. Trail ends at a cliff overlooking the junction of the Green and Colorado rivers 1,000 (304 m) feet below. In his Across Canyonlands 2007 video, Jamal starts hiking at Horseshoe Canyon, a detached unit northwest of Canyonlands National Park, hikes all the way through The Maze, crosses the Colorado River, hikes through The Needles, up Salt Creek, over The 10,000+ foot Abajo Mountains and finishes at Highway 95 at Comb Ridge near Cedar Mesa. West Side Campsite: A great place to spend our first night in the canyons. Report all dead animals found near a trail or campsite to a park employee. They looked more modern to me. Includes map of vehicle access roads. Nice clouds above the cliffs of Indian Creek Canyon as we turn onto the Cottonwood Canyon Road to reach the trailhead near Cathedral Butte. I swear I spot something new almost every time I drive through this canyon! People have fought off bears by yelling, punching, kicking, or otherwise defending themselves. Exhibits at the end of the trail discuss this unique geologic feature. Water in the backcountry is unreliable and scarce in some areas. If you see a bear in the distance Water available seasonally. There were dark clouds all around us as we started the hike, but we lucked out and would only encounter a little drizzle when we reached Peekaboo. Listen and look around cautiously before you get up to make certain the bear is no longer nearby. Salt Creek Canyon is covered by the Juanita Arch, CO US Topo Map quadrant I actually already have permits for next year to go in and out from Cathedral again, which I was supposed to do this past spring, but that trip got cancelled by the Park Service thanks to COVID! Sony? There is no water at any of the campsites, but there are primitive toilets at all camping areas except New Bates Wilson. You must have a permit for all single day or overnight use. A four-wheel-drive road extends up the canyon as far as Fortress Arch, so hikers may see vehicles. A large path of cactuss guard the remaining walls of this small ruin. Although the weather forecast for the weekend was looking pretty nice, Fridays forecast was another story. The trail ends with panoramic views of Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and the White Rim Road. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Bears Ears National Monument & Comb Ridge, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument & Paria Plateau, Bears Ears National Monument Photo Gallery, West Elk Loop: Last of the Curecanti Trails, Cordova Canyon Ranch in Arches National Park, The Dolores River: Fisher Creek to the Colorado River, San Rafael River: Fuller Bottom to Lockhart Box, The Colorado River: Take-Out Beach to Potash. Yes, but you will need the appropriate permit. The interior of Kirk's Cabin. We found something at these ruins that I have not seen before, a constructed staircase. Surfaces can be uneven. The Needles Backcountry Zone Map [1.5k PDF file] I assume you are using the Salt Creek Canyon - Colorado, United States - The Open Map - Mapcarta You must have a permit for single day or overnight use, You must have a permit for single day use. Mapcarta, the open map. A closer look with some intense reflected light. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The interactive map shows: Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and more. Then it was a hot sand slog under the sun. Salt Creek Canyon is covered by Backcountry zone maps provide an overview of the boundaries where camping is permitted. Elevation change: 1,400 feet / 427 m. This challenging trail follows the canyons around Upheaval Dome and requires navigating steep switchbacks, climbing and scrambling through boulder fields, and a 1,300-foot (396 m) elevation change. the Juanita Arch, CO US Topo Map quadrant. We climbed up for a closer look at the Two Faces. Published in Backpacking, Camping, Exploring, Hiking and Photographing. This incredible sight is known as the Lower Jump and at times it makes for an incredible waterfall. If possible, slowly walk upwind to let your scent reach the bear. During the spring and fall, demand for permits frequently exceeds the number available. A primitive trail with steep switchbacks drops 1,600 feet (488 m) into a long, sandy wash. The road out to the Cathedral TH is usually pretty easy. A quick shot of the pictographs above the trail shortly before reaching Kirk's Cabin. Many remote trails do not receive regular maintenance and may not be adequately marked. We planned to meet up with him on Friday morning at the Visitor Center since I had to stop there to pick up the permit that I had reserved online four months in advance. The real Wedding Ring Arch. Off-road vehicles and ATVs are not permitted within the park. more information on current conditions park-approved animal-resistant food container, www.bearcountrycontainer.com/catalog.html, Approachingor surprising a bear, especially at close range, Getting close to a carcass or other food source, BearVault 110b, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, The Bare Boxer Contender(101) and Champ (202), Wise Backpack by Craftsman Tech Composites (hard-sided backpack), Outfitters Supply TrailMax Bear Proof Pack Panniers. You will need extra required equipment. You will need a permit for all overnight trips in the backcountry. Where can I find drinking water? It wasnt too long before the snow stopped and the sky started clearing up. Trail description The hike through Salt Creek combines southern Utah's best arches, slickrock, springs, solitude, and plenty of archaeological sites. Covering well over 300,000 acres, this wilderness playground is a wonderland of canyons, towers, hoodoos, arches, mesas, and ancient pueblos. Groups camping at New Bates Wilson must bring their own toilet. We were hoping we would be able to leave a Jeep at Peekaboo so we could bypass the sand slog at the end of our hike, but as we figured, the road was still closed as it has been for a while now. Trail ascends 500 feet (152 m) to the base of prominent sandstone spires. Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). I definitelly want to go back one day. larger. Backpackers stay in at-large zones. I slept in a little late on Wednesday morning since I had gone to a concert the night before and then headed out and drove through rain all the way to Moab which turned into rain mixed with snow as I got closer to The Needles. Dave did manage to climb up to the top, though. After hiking through the pass in the sandstone, dark clouds started heading our way. All overnight routes involve a descent of over 1,000 feet, except Murphy Point which is on the mesa top and is an ideal destination for single-night trips. 84532, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Best in late afternoon. This trail features expansive 360-degree views. and of course we stopped to rest and check out the rock art at Peekaboo. Prepare for your backcountry hiking or backpacking trip in Canyonlands National Park. I had taken Wednesday off from work so I could spend some time with Diane before leaving and so that I could double-check to make sure I had everything I needed for the trip packed into my backpack and Jeep. It was cool to finally be able to visit Squash Patch Ruin. Although I have driven right by here on the road to the Colorado River Overlook a few times before, this was the first time I took the time to walk over to the Lower Jump of Salt Creek for a closer look. Salt Creek Canyon Trail, Canyonlands National Park - UtahTrails.com You can purchase these from our park store. Much of Canyonlands is undeveloped land, and the park has become an increasingly popular destination for backcountry travel. Very productive hikes for you guys. The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. Of course, there are a lot of white dots which are pretty common in this region. One last photo as I slowly climbed out of the canyon. Salt Creek Canyon, Canyonlands NP - Backpacking Light If you decide to carry pepper spray, make sure you have it readily available (attached to your hip or front of pack, not stored in your pack), and understand its intended use and how to deploy it safely and effectively. After Peekaboo I didnt take any more photos, I just powered through to reach the Jeep near Cave Spring since I have hiked and driven this section plenty of times in the past. The Salt Creek time zone is Mountain Daylight Time which is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). There were more to the right that were harder to see.
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