Hiking Surprise Canyon
Notom Road
Overview
Surprise Canyon is a good, short family friendly hike to a short section of narrows that cut into the Waterpocket Fold near the Burr Trail. The narrows are some of the easiest to visit in Capitol Reef, and make a great short trip. Though narrow, this isn't a slot and is generally dry. Near the end of the narrows a short dryfall and potential pool mark the scenic turn around spot for most. The fall is just challenging enough that canyoneers may enough the up climb. Others can climb around the falls if motivated, but the best section of the canyon is over.
Getting There
Travel east out of Capitol Reef National Park on highway 24. Just past the park, 0.25 miles, is the well signed Notom road.
- Turn south onto Notom Road and reset your odometer. ( 12S 488763E 4237262N / 38°17'00"N 111°07'43"W )
- At 13.6 miles, is the Sandy Creek Junction. Stay right on the Notom road here. ( 12S 493913E 4217290N / 38°06'12"N 111°04'10"W )
- At 13.9 miles, is the second Sandy Creek Junction. Stay right on the Notom road here. ( 12S 494104E 4216858N / 38°05'58"N 111°04'02"W )
- 21.2 miles to the Cedar Mesa Campground on the right (west) side of the road. ( 12S 492760E 4206611N / 38°00'26"N 111°04'57"W )
- Burr Trail junction is at 32.5 miles. Stay straight, heading toward Bullfrog. ( 12S 498890E 4189788N / 37°51'20"N 111°00'45"W )
- 34.3 miles from highway 24, the Surprise Canyon trailhead is a small turn out on the right (west) side and is signed. ( 12S 500983E 4187875N / 37°50'18"N 110°59'20"W )
Route
Follow the trail west and it heads for the obvious canyon. Several social trails exist, but once the main trail enters the wash, stay in the wash. It is a short 10-15 minutes to the bottom of the canyon proper. As you continue heading up the canyon, the narrows are encountered shortly and end in a dryfall and likely pool. This obstacle is up climb-able, or can be bypassed by a social trail on the south (right looking down canyon).
Above the dryfall, the canyon opens and becomes a bit of a boulder jumble. A social trail climbs high up to the headwall, though once past the dryfall, the canyon is less interesting. Return the same way.
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 500984E 4187875N 37°50'18"N 110°59'20"W |