Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route
From 1881 to 1884, Lower Muley Twist Canyon served as a wagon trail for Mormon pioneers traveling south.
Plan Around Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route
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Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route Details
From 1881 to 1884, Lower Muley Twist Canyon served as a wagon trail for Mormon pioneers traveling south, and was thusly named because it was narrow enough to "twist a mule." The highlight of the modern-day hike is a deep, narrow, twisting canyon with large alcoves and many opportunities for side trips. Those who wish to begin the hike at the trailhead on the Burr Trail Road and hike down-canyon to The Post trailhead via The Post cutoff trail should leave a vehicle at each end; those without two vehicles should turn around upon reaching the sign indicating The Post cutoff trail. A hike though the canyon can be done as a long day hike or as an overnight trip by starting and ending at The Post parking area. Those who wish to hike the entire canyon from the trailhead on the Burr Trail Road should plan on two or three days, and obtain a backcountry camping permit at the visitor center before setting out. From the south end of the canyon, hikers can take a side trip, down an unmarked spur route, a little further south for a view of Hamburger Rocks, small, dark-red hoodoos within the Navajo sandstone shaped like hamburgers. To reach the The Post parking area go 2.2 miles south on the Burr Trail Road from the Burr Trail Road/Notom-Bull Frog Road junction, then drive ½ mile to an old corral at the end of a short spur road. From the Burr Trail Road trailhead to the Post trailhead is 5.9 miles one-way. Total mileage for the upper loop (Burr Trail Road trailhead to The Post cutoff trail and return via the Burr Trail Road) is 10.7 miles, and total mileage for the lower loop (from The Post trailhead and back) is 15.4 miles.
Difficulty
High
Distance
22.8 miles
Estimated time
2-3 days
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route
Compare nearby parks around Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route while the map context is still fresh.
0.3 mi away
Burr Trail Road
What began as a cattle trail, blazed by stockman John Atlantic Burr, is the present-day Burr Trail Road.
0.9 mi away
Upper Muley Twist Canyon Route
The rim route in Upper Muley Twist Canyon provides hikers with great views of the Waterpocket Fold and surrounding area.
0.9 mi away
Loop the Fold Tour
One of the best ways to take in the Waterpocket Fold is via the 124-mile roundtrip Loop-the-Fold tour.
1.0 mi away
Notom-Bullfrog/Burr Trail Road to Lake Powell Tour
At the junction of the Notom Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail Road inside Capitol Reef, drivers can head south on Burr Trail, also known as BLM 12000) to Lake Powell at Bullfrog Marina.
2.3 mi away
Surprise Canyon Route
The short and easy Surprise Canyon Route is a 2-mile roundtrip hike.
