Cohab Canyon |

Capitol Reef

Hiking Cohab Canyon - Capitol Reef Hiking Cohab Canyon

Capitol Reef

Overview

RATING: Easy/Moderate Hike
MAPS: Fruita, UT

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 58. South wind around 7 mph.

58 | 35

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

62 | 38

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 65.

65 | 39

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 40

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 40

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in summer
FLASHFLOOD: Low

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 58. South wind around 7 mph.

58 | 35

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

62 | 38

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 65.

65 | 39

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 40

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 40

View Full Weather Details
Views from the saddle

Views from the saddle

Cohab Canyon was my first hike in Capitol Reef back in the 90's, and it got me hooked. If you have two vehicles, the hike can be done as a through hike, though most will only have one vehicle and do it as an out-and-back. The hike can be done from either the Hickman Bridge Trailhead or Fruita trailhead though I would strongly recommend starting from Fruita since you get the steep part over quickly and come to dramatic views sooner. This description starts from the Fruita side.

Though this hike has a bit of elevation, this is a hike most will enjoy.

Views of domes from near the saddle

Views of domes from near the saddle

The trail near the saddle

The trail near the saddle

Getting There

Campground Trailhead
To reach the trailhead, go past the Capitol Reef visitor center 1.3 miles on the scenic drive. The Cohab Canyon trail is signed. Find parking where you can. There are a few spots along the road.

Hickman Bridge Trailhead (if doing a through hike, leave a vehicle here)
From the Visitor Center, travel east on Highway 24 about 2 miles to the signed Hickman Bridge trailhead on the north (left) side of the road (mile post 81.2). There is a pit toilet here.

Cohab colors

Cohab colors

Cohab Canyon

Cohab Canyon

Route

From the Fruita trailhead, climb the steep Cohab Canyon trail for about 25-30 minutes to where it tops out and drops into Cohab Canyon. The saddle here offers amazing views of Boulder Mountain, Fruita, and other areas west of the park.

The trail now begins descending the very colorful and featured Cohab Canyon. The Wives, a series of short technical canyons come in on the right-hand side. Wandering up any of the side canyons as far as possible can make a nice diversion.

15 or so minutes from the saddle, as Cohab Canyon becomes wide and open, is a trail junction. Left (north) makes a nice side trip to an overlook of Highway 24 and the Fruita area (20 minutes round trip) while right becomes the Frying Pan Trail and eventually reaches Cassidy Arch. Go straight, which reaches the Hickman Bridge Trailhead in 15-20 minutes. If not doing this as a through hike, the trail junction makes a good turn-around spot to return to the Fruita trailhead.


Maps

One Way / 1.52 miles / Elevation Range 5,356 - 5,796 ft.
Printable Maps:
Fruita Trailhead

12S 478464mE 4237199mN

N38° 16' 57" W111° 14' 46"

Hickman Trailhead

12S 480085mE 4237865mN

N38° 17' 19" W111° 13' 40"

Junction

12S 479459mE 4237547mN

N38° 17' 09" W111° 14' 06"

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