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A steep slickrock descent that provides access to explore the White Rim Trail in either direction.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

Point to Point

6,264' 1,909 m

High

4,736' 1,444 m

Low

4' 1 m

Up

1,527' 466 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

66%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

Description

From the parking area head straight out across the slickrock following cairns until you reach a junction. Head left to descend Gooseberry (going right takes you to an overlook). The descent is unrelenting in grade and has a few exposed sections with chopped steps and others with loose rock.

Once you reach the wash you'll follow it down the canyon with cairns to reassure you are on track. Make sure you look around at the trail/wash junction to remember what it looks like for the climb back up. A few miles of nice wash hiking leads to the White Rim Trail just north of the Gooseberry campsites (permits required through NPS). There is no water on the trail, but there is a bathroom at the campsites.

From here you can either return the way you came or explore the rolling doubletrack of the White Rim Trail in either direction. Going right (south) from the Gooseberry Junction is very scenic and has a tendency to keep pulling you further and further to see what lies around the corner.

Flora & Fauna

Desert bighorns, cottontail rabbits and snakes are often sighted.

Contacts

Shared By:

Andrew Walters

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 5 votes

#11527

Overall
  4.0 from 5 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
20%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#397

in Utah

#11,527

Overall
4 Views Last Month
1,670 Since Jul 13, 2015
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Photos

The White Rim from Buck Canyon Overlook
Jul 14, 2015 near Moab, UT
Gooseberry Canyon from the Island in the Sky
Jan 23, 2020 near Moab, UT
Cliffs of the Wingate Sandstone, Buck Canyon Overlook
Jul 14, 2015 near Moab, UT
Looking back up at the Gooseberry Trail from the wash.
Jul 13, 2015 near Moab, UT
Looking back at the White Rim during the climb back out.
Jul 14, 2015 near Moab, UT

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Nov 4, 2021
Tom Herr
Very steep drop into the canyon, then followed a wash too the bottom. Walked the White Rim Road for a short way for some pictures. Rough. 6mi
Sep 23, 2017
Melanie Johnson
Apr 4, 2017
Get Out There!
Mar 16, 2017
Chris Rockwell
Great hike with major elevation change.
Mar 10, 2016
Dp Mn
With Jeff and john
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