Hayduke Trail: Section 7

The Hayduke Trail is a remote, rugged and challenging 800 mile backcountry route across Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. The route leads through varied terrain from Arches to Zion. You’ll pass through all five of Utah’s national parks, as well as the Grand Canyon. The Hayduke Trail is only for experienced backpackers. Those lacking in desert hiking experience may quickly find themselves in trouble as the off trail navigation, lack of water, long food carries, general remoteness and harsh weather can pose a daunting challenge. Anyone planning a section or thru hike of the Hayduke Trail should complete adequate research beforehand and consider purchasing the official guidebook and Skurka bundle. The brief description of Section 7 that follows provides an overview, but is not to be solely relied upon to successfully navigate the trail.

Section 7 of the Hayduke Trail begins from the Hurricane Wash Trailhead off Hole in the Rock Road. You’ll follow a dirt road as you climb up Fiftymile Mountain and have stunning views back down toward Coyote Gulch and the Escalante River where you just came from.

After topping out, find your way across the plateau, making sure to stock up on water at Mudhole Spring. You’ll continue until dropping into Monday Canyon. Work your way down canyon through the brush, boulders and pour-offs. The going is slow.

Things get a bit easier through Rodgers Canyon, which you’ll follow until Navajo Canyon. The route then continues all the way up Navajo until reaching a faint doubletrack, which you’ll take out of the canyon to a dirt road.

Next you’ll drop into Reese Canyon which you’ll follow until Last Chance Creek. There is also a shortcut that is commonly utilized that cuts across Reese Saddle, saving a few miles.

Once in Last Chance you should find flowing water, a welcome relief.

Follow Last Chance Canyon until crossing a 4x4 road. Continue following Last Chance, with the added likelihood of there being tire tracks from this point onward.

Continue until Paradise Canyon, which offers perhaps the best scenery so far. Follow until you reach a road that leads out of the canyon.

You’ll then have easy walking as you follow dirt/gravel roads to the end of this section. Along the way you’ll pass Grosvenor Arch, well worth the short side trip to check out. There are also likely to be people and light traffic in this area, which can be flagged down and asked for water if desperate.

Cottonwood Canyon Road has a decent amount of traffic for a dirt road, and can be used to hitch into Tropic.

Section 7 ends at the Round Valley Draw Trailhead.