Here’s a nice little overnighter or day hike you can bring the family on. This is a 6-7 mile loop in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area within southern Utah (nearest town is Hanksville). This is easily navigated and low mileage but there are a few obstacles you should be aware of.
Starting off you descend from highway 276 (start between mile marker 9 and 10). It is an abrupt descent and there is not a well marked trailhead. You’ll know you started in the right spot because when you reach the bottom you will see a tunnel running under the highway. The human made tunnel is a fun spot to explore before you start your trek. You don’t need to go through the tunnel to start the hike so this part is optional. If you do explore the tunnel, make sure you bring a flashlight since there are some drops. My dog led me in the darkness and took a little spill.
As you start your hike, just follow the wash away from the tunnel. The trail meanders for a little ways and there is only one obstacle that you have to navigate. It’s a steep drop but easily navigated if you take your time and find a good route. After this obstacle, the canyon slots up and you enter the narrows section. It’s a good section and makes for enjoyable hiking. At the end of the narrows you will like reach some water. It will require you to wade through knee to waist deep water depending on the season and recent rainfall. I highly recommend your chacos for this desert hike. Roll up your pants or wear shorts and you should stay pretty dry. If you choose to go barefoot through the water to keep your shoes dry, keep your shoes off a little longer than you would think. There’s always one more stretch of water just when you think it’s over. Or just wear your shoes loosely tied without socks so you can easily take them on and off for the water sections.
Soon it will start getting marshy and you’ll hear frogs and see cattails. You’ll know that you are getting close to the trachyte creek junction. You’ll have plenty of camping opportunities near trachyte creek. On this trip we camped just before the confluence. In the morning, we headed downstream a tiny bit and then took the very next canyon (trail canyon). Trail canyon is a little more wooded than lower maidenwater and makes for an excellent fall hike. This canyon eventually becomes a little wider and will pull you up to finish your hike overland and return you to the highway. From here it’s just a short roadwalk back to your car.
Western Compass 