| Summary: |
An easy out
and back hike with views into the Maze. |
| Directions: |
From
Highway 95 in Utah the entrance to the Maze is located just north of the
Hite Marina between the Colorado and Dirty Devil Rivers. Between
mile posts 46-47 turn east on a dirt road. After a short distance
you will come to a information board. Drive down this well graded
dirt road for 30 miles (stay right at the split along the way).
Note: at the 27 mile point you will pass a sign for the "Orange Cliff
Ranger District". After 30 miles you will come to a signed
4-way intersection, turn right following the arrow to Standing Rocks/Doll
House 20 miles. A short distance past this area the road begins to
roughen until you reach a "4-wheel drive only" sign near Teapot
Rock at which point it becomes down right terrible - take it slow.
After what seems like an eternity you will pass a small parking area
outlined by rocks on the left hand side. This is the parking area
for The Golden Stairs Trail. Continue on until you see a small sign
on the left for The Wall Campsite. A short distance later is a small
rock outlined parking area (otherwise no sign marking the trailhead) on
the left for the Chocolate Drops Trail. It took the author ~5 hours
to reach this point from Highway 95. |
| Road
Conditions: |
4-Wheel Drive only! |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
~7 miles
(some guessing here) |
| Date
Hiked: |
November,
2000 |
| Weather
Conditions: |
Cool but
nice |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike
Description: |
From the
parking area follow the cairns across the slick rock. The trail
follows Chocolate Drop Ridge which is relatively flat the entire
length. Along the way you will pass some large dark red sandstone
formations and have nice views of the Maze. The trail terminates at
4 large, dark red sandstone walls with pale sandstone caps. These
are the Chocolate Drops (not sure why they are so named). The trail
fades shortly past these formations. Return the way you came. |
| Rating
(1-5 stars): |
A nice easy hike with good views. The author and his
wife completed this hike in just under 3.5 hours. |
| Maps: |
Trails Illustrated -
Canyonlands Maze District NE Glen Canyon |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
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