Youve outdone yourself with these. This large basketmaker petroglyph was one of my favorite finds of the trip since petroglyphs seem to be pretty rare in Salt Creek, especially ones this large! 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 54 min to complete. There was a beautiful sunset with plenty of nice clouds this evening. USGS Current Conditions for Colorado_ Streamflow Both trails require scrambling up to slickrock and ledges. You can access most trailheads with a two-wheel-drive vehicle. They looked more modern to me. Along White Rim Road. Longer trails are especially rough and require negotiating steep passes with drop-offs, narrow spots, or ladders. You will need extra required equipment. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 7 h 41 min to complete. The clearing storm left behind some nice clouds in the sky throughout the day. One ladder must be climbed. Thx for showing. It wasnt too long before the snow stopped and the sky started clearing up. Many factors influence their behavior, including your reaction to them. You must have a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle (low range) for all Needles backcountry roads. You might detect carcasses by the presence of ravens or coyotes. We revisited one of my favorite pictograph panels and waited around for the good light. This year for our annual early season backpacking trip to The Needles we returned to one of my favorite places on the Colorado Plateau- Salt Creek Canyon.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 . Four designated campsites in upper section. 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. Thanks Dianne! Read about backpacking. Trail crosses uneven surfaces. Maps - Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) We would take a few breaks in the shade throughout the day to cool off and relax. This same rock is exposed in certain sections of the Grand Canyon. We took shelter in the alcove near the rock art and waited the storm out. Moab, To download language translations of the park map, or for brochures on additional topics, visit the Publications page. Wildflowers were abundant during our entire hike through the canyon. Salt Creek Canyon is one of those special places in Canyonlands National Park where water is generally available throughout the year. While we were doing that it really started to rain pretty hard out again. Depending on the vehicle, hikers may also be able to negotiate the 14-mile road to park at the top of the Flint Trail switchbacks. There are several arches and numerous side canyons to explore. Salt Creek Trail (#618): 8 Reviews, Map - Colorado | AllTrails I swear I spot something new almost every time I drive through this canyon! Trail ends at a cliff overlooking the junction of the Green and Colorado rivers 1,000 (304 m) feet below. While we were packing up a person who had camped nearby came over and asked if we could pull out their van which was stuck in sand. No shade. Remain still, avoid eye contact, and talk quietly and calmly to the bear. At first we thought these ruins were also inaccessible like the Big Ruins, however I managed to find a route up. Coal permit boundaries. The western fork on the left climbs the smaller butte then drops below the rim to two ancestral Puebloan structures. After that we watched the sunset from along the Pothole Point Trail before returning to our campsite after dark. This large pictograph panel was very impressive and a highlight of the weekend. 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. Horseshoe Canyon Map [786k PDF file] Information about the history of Horseshoe Canyon. Much of Canyonlands is undeveloped land, and the park has become an increasingly popular destination for backcountry travel. Salt Creek Canyon Trail: 38 Reviews, Map - Utah | AllTrails Route in Lost Canyon passes through dense vegetation and may be very wet. No vehicle camping. Backpackers stay in at-large zones. Campsites in the Salt Creek area require the use of approved hard-sided food storage containers (e.g. By A.D. 1200, there was a major occupation in Salt Creek Canyon in the Needles District. We talked to them and found out they had enough food to spend another day or two up there but were short on water, so Dave left them a bunch of water in case they had to stay a few more days until things dried out. My muddy Jeep at our campsite near Cathedral Butte. I have never heard of these or seen a photo of them before. Moab, From Mapcarta, the open map. Ursacks are not allowed for use in Canyonlands as an wildlife proof canister replacement even though some models were approved July 31, 2014, by the IGBC. Follow the wash to the White Rim Road. Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the parks natural and cultural features. Many routes may make hikers with a fear of heights uncomfortable. Salt Creek and Horse Canyon Trail: 10 Reviews, Map - AllTrails A wonderful loop hike with some difficult sections climbing between the two canyons. By then it had mostly melted off within the canyon. Not only would this be the longest day of hiking with our packs on, it was also the warmest. Vault toilets are provided, except at New Bates Wilson and Peekaboo where groups must provide their own. Mesa Arch is a classic sunrise spot and is popular among photographers. We wished them luck and then started hiking down the steep trail into the canyon. This granary was hidden high up in a cave. Horseshoe Canyon is a popular hiking destination in The Maze. Long trails at. During the spring and fall, demand for permits frequently exceeds the number available. A closer look with some intense reflected light. Light on the sandstone formations above camp as the day comes to an end. Interesting how they constructed a floor across the gap in the ledge here. 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. Elevation change: 100 feet (30 m), The trail follows a sandy wash, then splits. PDF Tonto Trail: Bright Angel Trail to Hermit Trail - U.S. National Park In the end we decided to go for it this evening, and as expected it was a huge muddy mess and very slippery! 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. The Needles offers over 60 miles of interconnecting trails as challenging as they are rewarding. Walk to an east-facing overlook for views of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and La Sal Mountains. I was very surprised to come across these two faces when I was exploring a short side canyon. Moab, 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. Two white anthropomorphs and a pair of red handprints. 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. This photo was taken with a remote wildlife camera. The primary coordinates for Salt Creek Canyon places it within the CO 81522 ZIP Code delivery area. Trail follows cairns. Protect Your Park - Keep off the Arches. 3,463. Entering, touching, or climbing on archeological sites is strictly prohibited. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Richard. >> Fingers of Salt Creek Canyon Photo Gallery, Published in Bikepacking, Camping, Exploring, Hiking and Photographing. This tall granary was built in a shallow alcove underneath a large boulder. This section of the canyon, from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flat water with sections of Class I and II rapids. There are two major creek crossings with steep banks. 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! You can avoid the large rocks and stair-step drops in the last 1.5 miles by parking on the road and walking to the overlook. Horse Canyon is typically very dry, and the deep sand of the wash bottom makes for slow hiking. Can I use a packraft to cross the river? Please review maps of designated campsites and at-large backpacking zones before planning your trip. One-hundred-foot elevation change (30 m). UT It was a little bit cold and breezy out during the day, but it was nice hiking weather for a long day on the trail. bear canisters). Black bears are known to wander into the park from the Abajo Mountains, which border The Needles district. This trail crosses both Wooden Shoe and Lost canyons on its way to Salt Creek Canyon, passing along high slickrock benches with spectacular views. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. West Side Wandering: Fingers of Salt Creek Canyon - ADVENTR.co Upper Salt Creek Canyon Trail. Salt Creek and Horse Canyon OHV Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails You must locate your campsite at least 1 mile from a road, and at least 300 feet away from an archeological site, historic site, or water source. Reverse handprints and white dots are abundant in this section of Canyonlands. Warm evening light on sandstone is my favorite, especially with nice clouds in the background! I note that on your 1st trip you hiked down canyon from Cathedral Butte to exit at the gate below Peekaboo & on the 2nd went in from Cathedral Butte and then climbed back up to also exit from there. Linear depression in the Earth's surface that generally slopes from one end to the other. A large path of cactuss guard the remaining walls of this small ruin. A smoke-stained ceiling above this small alcove with broken-down walls. The Needles Backcountry Zone Map [1.5k PDF file] 2282 Resource Blvd. 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 follows the first part of the Chesler Park trail, then branches off to travel along the bottom of Elephant Canyon through deep sand and loose rock. Salt Creek Canyon | Backcountry Post The road follows a canyon bottom where deep sand, deep water, and quicksand are common. Trail description The hike through Salt Creek combines southern Utah's best arches, slickrock, springs, solitude, and plenty of archaeological sites. These maps are seperated into rectangular quadrants that are I was very excited to finally experience this amazing canyon, and it certainly didn't disappoint! Island in the Sky Backcountry Zone Map [1.6k PDF file] Heres a Barrier Canyon Style panel that Ive been wanting to visit for many years, so I was glad to finally make it here! If you see a bear in the distance Due to the nature and depth of Maze canyons, access to them is limited. If these are unavailable, hang food and other odorous items in a sturdy bag as high as possible in a tree. This short loop leads to a historic cowboy camp and prehistoric rock paintings and peckings. The interactive map shows: Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and more. Mesa County . I am camping in an at-large zone. Photos provided by Flickr are under the copyright of their owners. We visited a small side canyon to search for more ruins and rock art. Search. Many springs marked on topographic maps may no longer exist or may dry up during periods of drought. Salt Creek is a stream in Colorado and has an elevation of 4,652 feet. I particularly love the sites and rock imagery. Be alert. We made sure to visit the Flying Carpet pictograph panel on the way. In areas where there are no established campsites, backpackers can camp in at-large zones that must be reserved also. Dave did manage to climb up to the top, though. There were corncob impressions in the mortar to the lower left side of the doorway. Warming up near the fire this cold evening. There is a high risk of vehicle damage, and towing costs usually exceed $1,500. When Dave and I climbed up there for a closer look, I wasnt convinced they were authentic. Google Maps This is a place I have wanted to visit for quite a long time. Note that you do not have the right to enter private property without the owner's permission. The sky was almost clear again when we continued on down the trail. No large towns within a 20 miles radius found. Salt Creek | Natural Atlas Access to Paul Bunyan's potty . 84532, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Helpful tips and advice provided in this video will help you plan your trip and Leave No Trace while out in these pristine areas. May 22, 2014. We also had a nice view of Kirk Arch nearby. I stopped to explore a few joints along the trail. Alluvial and bedrock aquifers. This longer hike leads past a historic corral on the mesa top. You do have a right to access goverment property that is open to the general public. Four short, self-guided trails along the paved scenic drive highlight different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. Nice clouds above the cliffs of Indian Creek Canyon as we turn onto the Cottonwood Canyon Road to reach the trailhead near Cathedral Butte. We waited inside the Visitor Center for a little while until the rain finally started to die down. A few petroglyphs high above the trail that Dave and I climbed up to. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The forecast for Friday was calling for rain and storms all day beginning overnight. Colorado Rivers Shown on the Map: Animas River, Apishapa River, Arikaree River, Arkansas River, Beaver Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Blue River, Box Elder Creek, Cache la Poudre River, Cherry Creek, Colorado River, Dolores River, Gunnison River, Huerfano River, Laramie River, Little Snake River, Mancos River, North Platte River, Platte River, Purgatoire River, Rio Grande, Rush Creek, San Miguel . Copyright 2023 HTL, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Such rich rock art and I love the pothole point landscape. This moderate road is good for mountain bikes. UT Due to its remoteness, The Maze is primarily a backpacking destination. Very strenuous climb in and out of The Grabens and then descend steeply toward the river. Best in late afternoon. Predatory attacks are rare but may occur under unusual circumstances. Be careful: steep drop-offs. Salt Creek Canyon: Land: 0.3 mi: Maverick Canyon: Land: 1.1 mi: Little Maverick Canyon: Land: 1.4 mi: Big Indian Lease Mine: Man-made: 1.5 mi: Juanita Arch: We then found our way over to the Bighorn Ruins, which is another large complex of ruins on a high ledge. OK. Backpackers in heavily traveled areas stay in designated campsites, primarily at The Needles. Unlike other Needles hikes, this trail traverses dry, open country along the northern edge of the geologic faults that shaped the Needles. If you plan to visit Canyonlands during peak season, we recommend that you make reservations well in advance. 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. I was happy to finally visit the spectacular All American Man pictograph. This is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and horseback riding, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Trail guides are available at the visitor center and at the trailheads. This is an inaccessible granary that Jerry and I have walked by multiple times and never noticed, until Diane spotted it this trip. Looks quite big next to the ruin wall, have only seen close ups before. . Thursday - Sunday, March 12-15, 2020. Do not panic your safety may depend on remaining calm. The road is too sandy for most mountain bikes. Daves Jeep at our campsite trying to wait out the snowstorm that would never end. Bears - Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Great photos and narrative. Moderate trails involve elevation, such as climbing a sandstone feature or descending partway into a canyon. All are considered strenuous, with an elevation change of 1,000-2,000 feet, and require negotiating steep slopes of loose rock as well as sections of deep sand. Horse Mountain and Boundary Butte to the south were were still in the clouds most of the day and probably getting even more snow, which made us a little concerned that the road might not even be dried out when we returned in four days. the Juanita Arch, CO US Topo Map quadrant. Salt Creek Canyon // ADVENTR.co Note the rock layers distorted by salt pushing up from below. A faded pictograph panel found in a larger complex of ruins we visited. It looks similar to a Fremont petroglyph Ive seen at Fremont Indian State Park. Im already planning for next year assuming no COVID surprises and so your thoughts would be really helpful. lower than 92% of other locations on record. NPS Photo Did you know that southeast Utah is bear country? The USGS map is wrong, so I dont want to hear it! The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of topographic maps of the U.S. commonly BLM Location: 38.680, -108.979 (Gateway) Seasons: All year, though affected by snow in the winter Rating (1-5): Salt Creek Canyon. The landscape below the mesa top is a mixture of talus slopes and vast basins without any reliable water sources. If you see a bear at close range Snow along the trail in the upper part of the canyon. Its really nice backpacking with friends who also like to get up early and get moving shortly after sunrise. Thanks for posting! Jan 17, 2012. How do I pick a campsite? There are a few springs scattered throughout the park, mostly in canyon bottoms. Very productive hikes for you guys. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used Two ladders must be climbed. Instead of it being just the two of us, this time we also invited our friend Jerry along since I know hes always up for a nice walk through Salt Creek Canyon. There were more to the right that were harder to see. 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. This was another new panel we found on this trip. Wait several minutes before moving. may be different as well. From the gate at Cave Spring, hikers follow Salt Creek Canyon for 2.5 miles before reaching Horse Canyon. Overview of at-large backpacking zones in the district Of course, I was leading the way and slipped and fell a couple of times. Salt Creek Canyon Topo Map in Mesa County, Colorado Horse Canyon is typically very dry, and the deep sand of the wash bottom makes for slow hiking. This film will help you prepare for your backcountry technical four wheel drive trip at Canyonlands National Park. Not a bad view over upper Salt Creek Canyon as we were getting ready to hike down into the canyon. Ive seen a lot of pot sherds over the years, but this was probably the largest concentration of large pieces that I have seen. Be still and stay silent to convince the bear that you are not a threat. Of course, we had to stop and visit the amazing All American Man pictograph. Recommended as a multi-day hike. View Full Screen Map From granaries and grinding stones to petroglyphs and cliff dwellings, Salt Creek is teeming with Ancestral Puebloan culture. 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. While Dave was visiting the ruins above, I noticed the reverse handprint visible through the window of this structure. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Read more about packrafting. Even the 100 yards we had to drive to the trailhead from or campsite had us sliding all over the place in our Jeeps! This trail provides many great panoramas of the Needles formations. Backcountry zone maps provide an overview of the boundaries where camping is permitted. It is also the heart of the Salt Creek Archeological District, the area with the highest recorded density of archeological sites in the park." Good morning to a clearing storm and more snow on the ground! Go south off the highway, making an immediate left at the T. The boat ramp and parking is less than a mile from this junction. Head out on this 18.2-km out-and-back trail near Rico, Colorado. View prehistoric rock paintings at the end of the trail near Peekaboo camp. This time it was the Seven Faces! Conditions of other trails are more primitive, traversing a mixture of slickrock benches and sandy washes. Poor driving conditions and flooding may make roads impassable. Salt Creek Canyon - Colorado, United States - The Open Map - Mapcarta Most trailheads start from four-wheel-drive roads. (Be sure to leave room for other vehicles to pass.) It's actually one of the main reasons I decided to get started backpacking a few years ago. Routes into the canyons are cairned from mesa top to canyon bottom, but routes through washes are often unmarked. According to the National Park Service, "Salt Creek is the most extensive perennial water source and riparian ecosystem in Canyonlands National Park, other than the Green and Colorado Rivers. This turned out to be a very good decision since Im not sure I would have driven up to Cathedral Butte that evening in the dark alone. Entering, touching, or climbing on archeological sites is strictly prohibited. UT Ive been trying to find this Barrier Canyon Style pictograph for years and was happy to finally see it! This short walk ends abruptly at an overlook of a meandering gooseneck bend in the Colorado River. rectangular quadrants that are printed at 22.75"x29" or 84532, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Pets are not permitted, even in vehicles. You will climb two ladders to complete the route. While driving through Indian Creek Canyon I spotted these petroglyphs that I have looked for before. 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. . Please contact us to report your bear sighting. You must have an overnight permit for all overnight trips in the backcountry. Trails in the Maze are primitive and lead into canyons and to various viewpoints. The GNIS Feature Detail Report for Salt Creek Canyon does not include property ownership information. Once over the hill, equally challenging roads lead to various features as well as BLM lands south of the park. Diane spotted these remains of a small granary in a little cubby hole from across the canyon. This was another panel that I was hoping to find on this trip. Take-out Travel back into Utah on I-70 for about 5 miles to the Westwater exit. All vehicles must be registered and operated by a licensed driver. As we were hiking out we were still a little concerned that the road was going to be wet and muddy for our drive out, but thankfully we found that the road was almost completely dry and dusty when we arrived at the trailhead, so we had no problems getting back down and driving home. The Four Faces were just as nice as I had hoped. Pepper spray may temporarily incapacitate or cause discomfort in bears. Its actually one of the main reasons I decided to get started backpacking a few years ago. The eastern fork to your right ascends Aztec Butte for spectacular views. 84532, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Then it was a hot sand slog under the sun. Salt Creek Canyon/Sinbad Valley Bouldering - Mountain Project We debated driving up now in the rain on the wet and muddy road or taking our chances that the road would freeze overnight and be easier to drive in the morning. Salt Creek Map - Colorado, United States - Mapcarta After spending the past couple of years searching for rock art and ancient ruins in Grand Gulch during our annual spring backpacking trip together, this year Dave, Jared and I were really looking forward to getting back into upper Salt Creek Canyon in Canyonlands National Park to see what we had missed on our first visit almost five years ago. Eventually we reached the Upper Jump of Salt Creek, which would be the furthest we would go today. It's actually one of the main reasons I decided to get started backpacking a few years ago. We setup camp under the butte and across the road from the trailhead so we could get an early start the following morning. A four-wheel-drive road extends up the canyon as far as Fortress . Shows Island in the Sky district campsites, roads, and trails with brief overview text (black and white). Molar Rock and Angel Arch in early morning light. Download maps here. From there, a foot trail climbs over 1,000 feet to the Doll House. All backcountry hikers should carry a topographic map. The Maze Map [949k PDF file] In the end we decided it would be stupid not to take the three mile round trip hike to the arch since we were so close. During the spring and fall, demand for permits is very high. We encourage backpacking groups to pack in water whenever possible. Report all dead animals found near a trail or campsite to a park employee. Protect Your Park - Keep off the Arches. Trails along the White Rim Road You cannot reach these trails from the mesa top. Salt Creek Canyon is a valley in Colorado and has an elevation of 4,685 feet. Jet boat shuttles are available from two companies: 2282 Resource Blvd. Hi, Randy. Off-road vehicles and ATVs are not permitted within the park. Carry a flashlight, map, and basic first aid equipment. They have been sighted in Salt Creek Canyon and many neighboring canyons, as well as along the Colorado River. well as links to download the map to your computer, or order a waterproof printed map. Just beautiful. They loaded their gear into my Jeep and we drove up to the trailhead near Cathedral Butte. This was my cue to leave my house so I could meet them in Moab. When I picked up our permit the Park Ranger at the Visitor Center informed me that the road to Cathedral Butte was very wet and slippery, as I expected it to be, and he didnt recommend driving up it at this time. If you plan to visit Canyonlands during peak seasonespecially during spring break (March)you may have to make a reservation four months in advance. A colorful alcove ceiling, but no ruins in this one. Dave had a little trouble getting back down and this was taken when he was relieved to make it past the most difficult part. The trail is probably most popular as a mountain bike descent. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 54 min to complete. Salt Creek Canyon - Colorado, United States - The Open Map Many archeological sites and arches. From there, a foot trail climbs over 1,000 feet to the Doll House. Plan Your Visit Safety Bears Bears On This Page Black bear at The Needles. This trip certainly started out as a muddy ADVENTR! Dispose of food scraps properly (pack it in, pack it out) and don't leave food, dishes, or stoves unattended. TARRYALL CREEK AT UPPER STATION NEAR COMO, CO 07/04 13:45 MDT 5.63 34.0 40.0 33.0 10190002 Upper South Platte 06700000 SOUTH PLATTE RIVER ABOVE CHEESMAN LAKE, CO. 07/04 13:45 MDT 5.24 140