Salt Creek Canyon
Statistics
| Total Distance: |
26.1 mi (one-way) |
| Estimated Time: |
3 - 4 days |
| Average Grade: |
1.5% |
| Structure: |
Linear - One Way |
|
|
Elevation Loss:
|
-2129 ft |
| Start Elevation: |
7051 ft |
| Min Elevation: |
4921 ft |
|
Directions
Head west on SR 211 towards Canyonlands NP Visitors Centre. Turn L(south) on Beef Basin Rd, which is about 5k past Newspaper Rock NM. Trail Head is Cathedral Butte, which is roughly 40k up Beef Basin Rd, hidden on the right side of the road, just after you pass a beautiful view down Salt Creek Canyon(as shown in photo). Road to trail head can be driven in a 2 wheel drive vehicle when rougher portions are driven with some care.
Warning!: Do not try driving Beef Basin Rd if it is raining, as it becomes very slick and impassable, even to 4wh drive vehicles!!
Details
This is the only trail/route in Canyonlands National Park which has a reliable water source. When hiking this trail, when you reach a 'swampy'/thick bushy area, after roughly 6-7K, keep to the right(east) side of the canyon wall. After that, the route is easy/obvious to follow. Best campsite is SC# 3. Be mindful that there are areas with quicksand, which are mainly in the creekbed, on the last 5 k of the hike.
There are lots of arches and old Anasazi ruins and rock art panels. Very interesting trail, which can be fairly easily done in 3 days but take 4 and explore the 'side trips'.
Best hiked in spring or later fall.
Requires a vehicle shuttle and advance permit reservations
Photographs
GPS Waypoints
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