Moonshine Wash | San Rafael Desert

Hiking Moonshine Wash - San Rafael Desert Hiking Moonshine Wash

San Rafael Desert

Overview

RATING: Easy /Moderate Hiking with a little scrambling.
LENGTH: 2-5 Hours
MAPS: MOONSHINE WASH, UT

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

86 | 48

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.

84 | 48

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

82 | 49

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

78 | 49

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 76.

76 | 45

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in the summer
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear. A short 15 m ( 50 ft. ) rope might be useful for beginners.
WATER: Little/none. Can have shallow pools after recent rains.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate.

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

86 | 48

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.

84 | 48

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

82 | 49

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

78 | 49

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 76.

76 | 45

View Full Weather Details
Moonshine Bridge

Moonshine Bridge

Moonshine Bridge

Moonshine Bridge

Moonshine Canyon is one of my favorite non-technical canyons. I've visited it a half dozen times or so over the years, and never tire of it. The route is easy, and well within most hikers abilities, while the scenery, history, and old sheep bridge make the hike outstanding. For hikers looking for a narrow canyon experience, this is very highly recommended.

This area of the San Rafael desert is not often visited, so expect much solitude and exquisite scenery. There is great primitive camping throughout the area, but please practice Leave No Trace Principles when camping in the area. Three Canyon, just across the road from Moonshine, and Chaffin Ranch Cold Water Geyser also provide interesting diversions while in the area.

The area was popular with bootleggers during prohibition (hence its name). The west fork contains a few remnants of the old stills built during this time. The sheep bridge, however, likely pre-dates the bootleggers. As of 2009, it is in poor shape, yet still standing proudly over the canyon. It's common sense, but do not try to use the sheep bridge. It is no longer stable but is fascinating to view and try and image ranchers moving sheep over such a narrow bridge.

Historical Note: Gruver Mesa and Moonshine Wash were both named for Gruver, an early moonshiner and bootlegger in the area. He used the spring in Moonshine Wash for his still.
Note: The obstacles in Moonshine change with each flood. With teamwork, they are generally easy to surmount. For hikers with no scrambling experience, this route might be a bit much to undertake. With some scrambling experience and teamwork though, it is a delight to visit. The challenges add to the adventure of the canyon. Be sure you can get back up/down any climbs you do in case you need to reverse your route!
Moonshine Bridge in Full Sun

Moonshine Bridge in Full Sun

The depths of Moonshine

The depths of Moonshine

Getting There

From downtown Green River, follow the main road to the airport sign (Long Street). Go south on Long Street several blocks until its junction with Green River Avenue. Go left (east) on Green River Avenue a block to the junction with Airport Road. Follow Airport Road over the railroad tracks, and under the highway. Reset your odometer on the other side of the highway, as you cross the cattle guard.

  • Continue on Airport Road for 1.9 miles to a junction signed Horseshoe Canyon. Go left here, resetting your odometer. The road is now dirt, and usually passable by any vehicle when dry. ( 12S 570374mE 4312884mN / N38° 57' 44" W110° 11' 16" )
  • There are many side roads, but continue to stay on the main road for 19.6 miles to where the road crosses the San Rafael river. Reset your odometer at the bridge. ( 12S 574411mE 4290260mN / N38° 45' 28" W110° 08' 37" )
  • Continue on the main road past the bridge for 5.4 miles to where a road goes off on the right (west). This side road is rough, but can be walked if needed. ( 12S 573540mE 4282406mN / N38° 41' 14" W110° 09' 16" )
  • At 0.3 miles from the main road there is a junction. Go left here . ( 12S 573079mE 4282619mN / N38° 41' 21" W110° 09' 35" )
  • Continue an additional 0.6 miles to the end of the road and trailhead. An ATV trail continues from this point, but most should park here. ( 12S 572178mE 4282116mN / N38° 41' 05" W110° 10' 12" )
The slot on a sunny fall day

The slot on a sunny fall day

Cristina in great light - Moonshine Wash

Cristina in great light - Moonshine Wash

Route

From the 4x4 trailhead, follow the ATV trail as it winds its way down the wash to join Moonshine proper in 15 minutes or so. Once in Moonshine, head down the canyon. The canyon quickly begins to narrow and deepen. There are a few boulders in this section to climb over and around. None are particularly difficult, especially with a little teamwork. Once in the depths of Moonshine, easy walking takes you to it's narrowest point, underneath the sheep bridge. Turning around at this point and returning makes a great short hike for those just wanting to see the narrows. (2-3 hours round trip)

If you are looking for a longer hike, continue down the canyon as it begins opening and getting wider. A little over a mile from the sheep bridge (30-40 minutes), the West Fork comes in on the left (looking down canyon). Heading up the West Fork provides an interesting challenge. Just up from the junction is a 10-12m / 35-40 ft. dryfall. This can be climbed by most with little risk, it is fairly easy and very secure climbing. The pool beneath the dryfall, however, changes with every flood and can be shallow or fairly deep.

Above the dryfall the slot has a few more relatively easy boulder sections before opening up. Again, however, this section seems to change a bit with each flood. Keep following the West Fork up to the ruins of an old concrete vat used for moonshine production. Just past the vat the canyon forks. A short visit up the right fork will take you to Moonshine spring. To visit, got up the right fork until it forks again. Here, go west into the vegetated fork a short distance to the spring in an alcove.

Continue up the west fork of Moonshine. When you reach another prominent junction, go right (up the west fork) climbing a couple of short dryfalls in the process. Once the canyon opens up, travel due east to reach the east fork of Moonshine at about the spot you started. Return up the ATV trail you came in on.

Note: It is easy to walk the west rim of the east fork of Moonshine to the sheep bridge to view it from above. Be carefully of loose rock and dirt next to the edge. A hikers trail is emerging here.

Maps

Route - Loop / 0.00 miles / Elevation Range - 0 ft.
Printable Maps:

Junction Left

12S 573062mE 4282599mN

N38° 41' 20" W110° 09' 36"

Trailhead

12S 572178mE 4282116mN

N38° 41' 05" W110° 10' 12"

Start of Canyon

12S 571322mE 4281896mN

N38° 40' 58" W110° 10' 48"

Junction with West Fork

12S 571543mE 4284020mN

N38° 42' 07" W110° 10' 38"

Exit

12S 569756mE 4281912mN

N38° 40' 59" W110° 11' 53"

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