rcwild
06-23-2008, 03:32 PM
An excellent introduction to hiking canyons in the San Rafael Reef. The Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon Loop is an area classic for good reason. Very photogenic, nothing too difficult, worth doing despite the crowds.
Rating: 2A II
Time Required: 4-6 Hours
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
Excellent facilities at the near by Goblin Valley State Park; toilets, showers, water… Also primitive camping on the road to the trailhead.
Preferred Season
Year round. Summer can be hot, may be difficult with snow on the ground.
Water Concerns
High flash flood potential. Check the weather.
Special Challenges
None
Equipment Suggestions
Good hiking shoes that can get wet
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo Little Wild Horse Mesa Quadrangle, USGS 1:100,000-scale metric San Rafael Desert, Trails Illustrated #712 San Rafel Swell
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River head west on I-70 to Exit 147, Utah Hwy 24. Go south on Utah Hwy. 24 about 28 miles to the Temple Mountain Road. Turn right here and proceed west a little over five miles to the Goblin Valley Road coming in from the left. Go south on the Goblin Valley Road a little over six miles. A dirt road takes off to the right here circling around the northern edge of Wild Horse Butte (pt. 5760). After about a mile and a half a dirt track comes in from the left (Wild Horse Creek). Stay right here and continue down the dirt road (sandy in spots)another four and one half miles to the Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon trailhead.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
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Approach
From the trailhead start up the drainage. Eventually there is a small dryfall easily bypassed to the left. You will soon reach a fork in the trail. The small fork on the right is the entry to Little Wild Horse.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
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Description: Standard Route
Fantastic, photogenic narrows with the occasional easy climbing move or knee deep pot hole to negotiate. May contain some water, but shouldn’t be hard to keep your feet dry. At the end of Little Wild Horse, turn left to follow the dirt road. Stay on the dirt road until it leads back towards the reef and takes you to the head of Bell Canyon. Bell Canyon is said to be less impressive; that opinion is objective. You will likely encounter other parties in Little Wild Horse, but one reward for completing the loop is finding far less people in Bell Canyon. You may even have Bell Canyon all to yourself.
Variation
The route can be reversed by going up Bell Canyon, and back down Little Wild Horse.
Exit
The mouth of Bell Canyon is very near Little Wild Horse and before long you will see footprints and scenery from the hike. Follow the wash back to the trailhead and your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 2A II
Time Required: 4-6 Hours
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
Excellent facilities at the near by Goblin Valley State Park; toilets, showers, water… Also primitive camping on the road to the trailhead.
Preferred Season
Year round. Summer can be hot, may be difficult with snow on the ground.
Water Concerns
High flash flood potential. Check the weather.
Special Challenges
None
Equipment Suggestions
Good hiking shoes that can get wet
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo Little Wild Horse Mesa Quadrangle, USGS 1:100,000-scale metric San Rafael Desert, Trails Illustrated #712 San Rafel Swell
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River head west on I-70 to Exit 147, Utah Hwy 24. Go south on Utah Hwy. 24 about 28 miles to the Temple Mountain Road. Turn right here and proceed west a little over five miles to the Goblin Valley Road coming in from the left. Go south on the Goblin Valley Road a little over six miles. A dirt road takes off to the right here circling around the northern edge of Wild Horse Butte (pt. 5760). After about a mile and a half a dirt track comes in from the left (Wild Horse Creek). Stay right here and continue down the dirt road (sandy in spots)another four and one half miles to the Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon trailhead.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
From the trailhead start up the drainage. Eventually there is a small dryfall easily bypassed to the left. You will soon reach a fork in the trail. The small fork on the right is the entry to Little Wild Horse.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
--
Description: Standard Route
Fantastic, photogenic narrows with the occasional easy climbing move or knee deep pot hole to negotiate. May contain some water, but shouldn’t be hard to keep your feet dry. At the end of Little Wild Horse, turn left to follow the dirt road. Stay on the dirt road until it leads back towards the reef and takes you to the head of Bell Canyon. Bell Canyon is said to be less impressive; that opinion is objective. You will likely encounter other parties in Little Wild Horse, but one reward for completing the loop is finding far less people in Bell Canyon. You may even have Bell Canyon all to yourself.
Variation
The route can be reversed by going up Bell Canyon, and back down Little Wild Horse.
Exit
The mouth of Bell Canyon is very near Little Wild Horse and before long you will see footprints and scenery from the hike. Follow the wash back to the trailhead and your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -