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A very technical Moab-style trail. You'll see arches, petroglyphs, & other cool features.


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Map Key

12.5

Miles

20.1

KM

Loop

4,803' 1,464 m

High

3,971' 1,210 m

Low

1,614' 492 m

Up

1,617' 493 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views

The last two miles of this loop if done clockwise are extremely difficult to navigate. The grade is inaccurate. There are portions of climbing and descending 90 degrees. It is easy to get lost or cliffed out. There is extreme exposure with some high risk scrambling and bouldering involved. The cairns are few and not visible. Use extreme caution.

Overview

The terrain is rocky and sandy with short, steep ascents. Some highlights you'll see are arches, petroglyphs, a granary, views of Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, killer singletrack above Hunter Rim Trail and Gatherer Canyon, and a spring. At about mile 10.5, going in the clockwise direction, the route finding becomes very difficult and it's easy to get cliffed out. Requires Class 4 down climbing.

Need to Know

This is recommended as an expert-only trail loop. There is an extremely technical section along the Hunter Canyon Rim with exposure and route-finding where experience is needed.

Description

This 12.4-mile loop has long, rugged sections in Pritchett Canyon and Hunter Canyon Rim Trail. Hunter Canyon Rim Trail has high, exposed singletrack and is above Gatherer Canyon. There are a few rock arches in Pritchett Canyon and a granary up a side drainage just before the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail singletrack.

Most people complete this route clockwise, starting at Pritchett Canyon and end at Gatherer Canyon. The only major turn is at the Pritchett Canyon/Behind the Rocks/Hunter Rim Junction. Turn right at this junction onto the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Martinez with improvements by Joi Roberts and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 22 votes

#3

in Amasa Back

#1159

Overall
  4.0 from 22 votes
5 Star
27%
4 Star
55%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Amasa Back

#84

in Utah

#1,159

Overall
59 Views Last Month
9,571 Since Mar 27, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
10%
0%
76%
14%

Photos

View of the steepest hill on the road.
Mar 6, 2021 near Moab, UT
The Pritchett Canyon portion of the trail... a few jeeps in the beginning but then not a soul for miles and miles.
Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT
Beautiful structures typical of this area in Utah
Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT
Monolith!
Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT
One of the four arches I saw on the run.
Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT
Pritchett Canyon is easy to navigate, a 4x4 road the entire way. Sand, boulders, and a little climbing at the end.
Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT

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