Upper Muley Twist Loop

Upper Muley Twist is located in Capitol Reef National Park and is one of the best places to view Water Pocket Fold and the Stike Valley.  There is two trailheads for this hike.  If you do not have a high clearance 4x4 then you must park at the Burr Trail parking lot and add 5 miles to this adventure.  If you have a 4x4, you can drive through the Burr Trail parking area and drive the the Upper Muley Twist trailhead.

From the 4x4 parking area, hike up the dry wash for 1.7 miles.  Here you will find a wood post marking the location to ascend to the rim trail and start the loop portion of the hike.  This loop can be hiked in either direction.  Counterclock wise the trail is steep in the beginning and gradual at the end.  Hike up here through this steep section.  When you reach the top, there is a view toward the Strike Valley.  Turn left and watch carefully for the cairns to follow the route along the rim.  Also along the way, take notice of the sanstone on the opposite side of Muley Twist.  There is several more arches and petrified sand dunes.

The descent from the rim is marked by another wood post that was suprisenly easy to find and see from a distance.  The descent switches back from the post location and can be difficult to stay on the trail.  The descent leads to a shelf trail slightly above Muley Twist.  This section is difficult to reach the canyon floor.  Follow the shelf trail about 1 mile, until it drops down into Muley Twist.  The canyon floor is rocky so not much deep sand to get through.  Follow the wash back out to the 4x4 parking area.