Rattlesnake Creek to Ashdown Gorge

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This is a 9.8-mile trail that descends 5,000 feet through the breathtaking scenery of Cedar Breaks and Cedar Canyon. Along the way, you'll traverse brilliant orange rock formations, Bristlecone pines, and serene aspen groves before reaching Rattlesnake Creek. Reminiscent of Zion's Narrows, the creek flows among towering sandstone walls and deep grottoes. Once reaching Ashdown Gorge you can find a hidden natural arch overhead. While some people opt for backpacking this route, it's entirely doable in a single day. To make the most of your journey, consider leaving a car parked at the trail's end to avoid the strenuous climb back up 5,000 feet of elevation.

Watch weather conditions and check for flash flood signs before hiking this trail. Storms can roll in extremely quickly at this elevation. Ashdown Gorge can flow dangerously high in the spring months and into summer. Checking water height at the bottom parking lot when dropping off a car is highly recommended. The last 3 miles of the trail hike through Ashdown Gorge, requiring you to hike in the creek. Be sure to wear waterproof shoes and/or neoprene socks to keep your feet warm. Heavy spring runoff can last well into early summer and waters run dangerously high and cold.

Start your day by dropping off a car at the bottom of the trail, located 7 miles up Cedar Canyon, at a large parking lot on the left. Once your shuttle is set, drive to the top and park at Rattlesnake Creek Trailhead.

Start your hike by heading west along Rattlesnake Creek Trail #32051, tracing the boundary line of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Traverse through an alpine meadow with breathtaking views as you gradually descend into the forest below. Follow the trail for 2.7 miles until you reach Stud Flats, where the landscape opens up, revealing stunning vistas of Cedar Breaks' legendary terrain. Keep an eye out for rock cairns, especially in sections where the trail may be faint.

After departing Stud Flats, navigate a series of steep switchbacks descending into Rattlesnake Creek. Follow Rattlesnake Creek for 1.6 miles until you arrive at Potato Hollow. From there, the trail climbs over a ridge for 0.7 miles into Ashdown Gorge.

From this juncture there is no maintained trail; instead, follow Ashdown Gorge downstream until you reach a marked junction identified by Tom's Head, a 100-foot-tall freestanding rock tower. Around here is also where you can find Flanigan's Arch in the north wall of the gorge.

Note: for a good side adventure you can hike back up Rattlesnake Gulch to a small waterfall.

Proceed down Ashdown Gorge for another 2.4 miles, where you'll have to slosh in and out of the flowing stream. None of the crossings are especially deep at normal flows, but the rocks can be slippery so take your time and bee careful. Eventually you'll encounter a large constructed dike in the creek. Eventually the creek nears the highway and you'll encounter a large constructed dike. From there, ascend out of the wash to return to your car.

A vast array of plants exist on this trail. Starting in the high altitude terrain you'll find bristlecone pines, aspens, and a few ponderosa trees. Once getting lower and exiting rattlesnake creek you'll find an abundance of riparian vegetation between juniper forest and sage brush on the hillsides.