Pritchett Canyon
Grand County, Utah
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Nearby Towns: Moab
Nearby Trails: Cliff Hanger, Moab Rim
Trail Length: 6 miles
Elevation: 3,933 to 4,747 feet
Named Obstacles: Which Way, The Tube, Damen's Hot Tub, Rocker Knocker, Suicide Hill, Rock Pile, Yellow Hill

Recommended by Eric B.
Recommended by Frank

Unless you drive a buggy or some other extreme 4x4 vehicle, Pritchett Canyon is just about the most difficult trail you can do in the Moab area. It requires a lifted vehicle with at least 33" tires, lockers, a decent gear ratio, and preferably a winch. Most vehicles will need to strap or winch themselves over at least one obstacle, and many will break something on the trail.

The obstacles only span about three miles, but it will take a long time to get through them. You should expect a crowded trail and long waits at the major obstacles.

It starts on Kane Creek Road on the left, near a fence and parking area and signs for "Pritchartt" (misspelling). When you first start the trail, go right to go up the hill and not down into the wash and camping area. Note that there used to be a significant obstacle here but it was removed in early 2005. It is now much easier to get to the first major obstacle, Rocker Knocker.

The first challenge is Which Way, a big hill of ledges that provide a lot of different ways to the top. Most of the lines are tippy and all of them can be difficult.

The trail is easy to find as you work your way up big hills, steep ledges, and over slickrock sections. It isn't long before you come to the Tube, the first of the optional obstacles.

The Tube goes to the left, through a wash and up the other side. There are some difficult lines through this area, but it is fairly easy to get through it without incident. The bypass is easy and on the right.

Turn up the hill and you will soon go by a long ledge with black marks from tires. There are some crazy lines here, with very high ledges. These are all optional.

Around the corner from this big ledge is Damen's Hot Tub. It is a sandy area surrounded by slickrock that you can climb out over. It is optional, and there are many lines through it. The portion on the right has the actual "hot tub" that is often filled with water. The middle line is very steep and difficult because of the sand. The line on the left takes some negotiation but it is possible.

Soon after Damen's Hot Tub you turn a corner and see Rocker Knocker, a huge series of ledges with sand on the bottom. At first, it looks like it would be easy enough to climb straight up them if you have a longer wheelbase, or go up on the left side if your wheelbase is shorter. If you try to do this you will soon find out that it's not nearly as easy as it looks.

There is a trick to getting through Rocker Knocker, and it's made easier if you can watch other vehicles do it. The trick is to start in the middle at an angle, with both front tires on the first ledge. Then you need to drive up it just enough to get your rear passenger tire up on the ledge as well. That means only your rear driver tire is down in the sand.

Once you are in this tippy position, carefully and slowly drive forward. This will cause you to slide to the left in the sand. Slide all the way across to the left side, then grab the slickrock with your tires and finish the obstacle by popping up on that left corner.

Longer wheelbases will find it easier to start a little to the right of center, using the rougher places in the first rock ledge to get their rear tire up and over. Shorter wheelbases will find it easier to start further over the left.

Once you are past this crazy obstacle, continue on uphill. Hall Bridge is next to you on your right, and you can see Window Arch on your left. There is a sign marking one way as "easier" and another way as "harder" but they are both fairly easy.

Suicide Hill is just around the corner -- a big slickrock hill with many lines and many places to get tippy or flop over. There are a few different ways you can get through it, and winching is often necessary.

The Rock Pile is next. The obstacle itself is a very large vertical wall with a small ledge on the bottom. It is called the Rock Pile because there are often lots of rocks stacked at the bottom. It may be a good idea to have a strap on the front of your vehicle, with people or another vehicle holding your front end down.

The Rock Pile has a bypass, but it is not very easy. There are often rocks stacked here too.

Yellow Hill is the last obstacle of the trail. It is a long, steep and challenging hill if you take the line on the right. It is easy to get a wheelstand in the yellow section, and the end is tippy. If you take the line on the left it is a long but smooth section of slickrock that should not be difficult if it is dry.

Once you are past Yellow Hill you are on a dirt road and on your way out. You will soon get to signs for Pritchett Arch and Behind The Rocks. Follow signs to Highway 191 to take a long, bumpy and dusty road out.

Information last updated on May 11th, 2008.

Member Reports

• May 19, 2007: ran by Bob S., Don, Michael, Robert and Walt
• October 28, 2006: ran by Bill S., Bruce, Cheryl, Dane, Dave B. and Monica
• October 8, 2005: ran by Bob S., Cheryl, Eric B., Ladd, Matt F. and Monica

Driving Directions

From McDonald's in Moab, take Kane Creek Road 4.6 miles to the parking area and trailhead on the left, before the road turns to a dirt road.

Meeting Places

Meet at the McDonald's at Kane Creek Road and Main Street in Moab.