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Elephant Hill
San Juan County, Utah
View this on the Utah Trailheads Map
Nearby Towns: Moab, Monticello
Nearby Trails: Colorado River Overlook, Devil's Lane
Season: Year Round
Trail Length: 15.2 miles
Elevation: 4,853 to 5,290 feet
Named Obstacles: Elephant Hill, Switchback Hill, Silver Stairs
 Recommended by Brian E.
Recommended by Walt
Canyonlands National Park is amazing to see and it's worth the drive even though there are many trails much closer to Moab. The Needles District is in the same area and it's very impressive. Elephant Hill is one of just a few trails in the area, and this one is the most difficult.
You must pay a park entrance fee to get to the trail ($10.00 in 2007). The trail starts from a parking area that is very easy to find. The first obstacle is the steep hill called Elephant Hill. You immediately climb up a steep rocky section and find yourself at a switchback that is too tight to complete. Luckily there is enough room to turn around to make it up the section. You climb up very quickly to find yourself high above the parking area and already looking at a gorgeous view.
After the initial climb the trail comes around a corner to a steep slickrock climb up a short, smooth hill (there is a bypass around it to the left, but this climb is a fun one). Soon you come to the top of a rock and it seems like the trail disappears off the edge. There is a sign with a picture of a Jeep and the arrow points down. This is a good place to get out and see what's ahead of you. The descent is Switchback Hill and you will have to come back up this hill later, so make sure you and your vehicle are ready.
The trail goes down a very steep rocky section with switchbacks and turns through Switchback Hill. The first few turns are fairly easy to make, but when it gets closer to the bottom the switchback is very tight. Small wheelbase vehicles may be able to make this turn, but longer 4x4s will have to do as the sign suggests and pull in then back down to the next area. Then there is another area where you can get going forward again down some stairs. It's a steep hill!
You will come to an intersection where there is a sign indicating the correct way to go. This is the start of the loop and you will return here again. Take the correct section according to the sign (to the left) and follow the trail around.
There are flat, sandy areas as well as sections of rock and stairs. There are a couple of places that require careful tire placement. One of the most fun areas is a narrow section with vertical slabs of rock on both sides. There is no bypass, you must go through this area. It seems very tight but once you get in it you see that there is about a foot of room to spare. Go slowly through this section and you should be fine. Right after this narrow area is a great place for lunch where you could park many vehicles.
In a sandy area you come to a sign marking Devil's Kitchen to your left (a campground with toilets) and Devil's Lane to your right. Follow Devil's Lane to continue on the trail. Next is a sign marking the Silver Stairs obstacle. Though it is named the obstacle itself is no more challenging than other obstacles you have conquered.
In another sandy stretch you'll get to a fork in the road and a sign marking Confluence Overlook to your right. This section is optional and not at all challenging, but the Overlook is worth the extra time. Note that getting to the Overlook requires a hike up and down rocks for a half of a mile so if this does not interest you the trip is not worth the time. If you do take the Overlook section there is also a toilet before the hike. Return the way you came to get back to the fork in the road. Note that this trail is only 6.7 miles long if you do not do the Overlook section.
The road loops around over a few more lesser obstacles and rocky parts before it meets back up with the initial part of the trail. You've made the loop so now you must climb up and over the Switchback Hill and Elephant Hill again to get back to the trailhead.
Information last updated on May 30th, 2009.
Member Reports
Driving Directions From Moab take Main Street south on Highway 191. Go about 40 miles to the turn to Canyonlands National Park (this is NOT the initial turn to Needles, follow signs to Canyonlands instead). Go 34 miles west to the entrance station where you pay a fee. Follow signs to Elephant Hill and air down at the trailhead.
Meeting Places Meet in Moab or at the Visitor's Center in Canyonlands.
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