Morrell Cabin Trail
This short, easy hike is .4-mile round trip, and begins 1.8 miles north of the junction of the Hartnet and Cathedral Roads.
Plan Around Morrell Cabin Trail
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Morrell Cabin Trail Details
This short, easy hike is .4-mile round trip, and begins 1.8 miles north of the junction of the Hartnet and Cathedral Roads. Hikers will find the trailhead at the base of a series of steep, rocky switchbacks, around 28 miles from Highway 24, via the Cathedral Road. Hikers should follow the old road 0.2 mile to Lesley Morrell's historic cabin, which was used as a seasonal camp for local cowboys from the 1930s until 1970. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cabin has small windows that visitors may peer through to see the interior. A little further to the south are the remains of a small corral near the edge of a nearby wash. Capitol Reef's northern Cathedral District is a remote backcountry with no paved roads. In this stark area, the northern flanks of Waterpocket Fold give way to deserts, studded with monoliths and volcanic dikes and crags. Both the Cathedral and Hartnet roads, passable only with high- clearance vehicles — four-wheel drive is recommended — provide access to a number of short hikes, including the Morrell Cabin Trail. These aren't official, maintained trails, but rather include obstacles in canyons, which change frequently due to weather, flash floods and rock falls. Anyone who attempts these backcountry hikes must be a capable map and compass reader, and must not rely solely on unofficial route markers like rock cairns. Roads in the area are maintained infrequently and often become impassable in winter or in rainy weather; be sure to check at the visitor center before setting out. At the south end of the Hartnet Road near Highway 24, vehicles must ford the Fremont River; there is no bridge. Vehicles should not attempt to cross the river during floods or any other time when the water is high. Remember, backcountry hikers should always let others know of their planned route and return times, and should carry extra food, water and sun protection.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
0.4 miles
Estimated time
< 30 min
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Morrell Cabin Trail
Compare nearby parks around Morrell Cabin Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Morrell Cabin Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Morrell Cabin Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.6 mi away
Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook Trail
The short .2-mile roundtrip Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook is an easy hike, highlighted by panoramic views of a line of monoliths in the valley known as the Cathedrals.
0.6 mi away
Cathedral Valley Campground
Cathedral Campground is one of Capitol Reef National Park's two primitive campgrounds.
0.7 mi away
Cathedrals Trail
The 2.4 mile out-and-back Cathedrals Trail hike follows along a low ridge line, which parallels the line of monoliths known as the Cathedrals.
0.9 mi away
Upper South Desert Overlook Trail
The short, .4-mile roundtrip Upper South Desert Overlook offers, as the name would suggest, a great view over the upper reaches of South Desert.
3.4 mi away
Cathedral Valley Loop
One of the most popular ways to take in the Cathedral Valley is via the Cathedral Valley Loop Tour.
