Hiking Ernie Canyon - Eastern Reef

Overview

Tue

76° | 50°

Wed

65° | 48°

Thu

62° | 38°

Fri

63° | 41°

Sat

63° | 39°

( Rated 2.5 / 2 Ratings )

9 Todo Lists / 3 Ticks

RATING: Easy Hiking

LENGTH: 1+ hours (8 miles)

MAPS: Old Woman Wash, UT;

SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None.

FLASHFLOOD: Low

NOTES: Reaching the trailhead requires high clearance.

Tue

76° | 50°

Wed

65° | 48°

Thu

62° | 38°

Fri

63° | 41°

Sat

63° | 39°

Big walls in Ernie

Ernie Canyon offers a very casual hike to old mining ruins and a view of an arch high on the wall. This is a good family friendly hike in cooler times of the year, and several spots along the approach road offer good primitive camping.

Good scenery, easy access, and good camping make this a highly recommended outing for most! Adding Hurst Bridge makes for a fuller day or even casual weekend all in the same area.

Navajo sandstone in Ernie.

Getting There

At mile marker 141.6 on highway 24, take the side road on the west side of the highway through the gate. This is about 26 miles north of Hanksville, or 18 miles south of I-70 if coming from Green River.

Reset as you turn off UT-24. 12S 542367E 4283583N / 38°41'59"N 110°30'46"W

0.6 miles, the road descends into and crosses a wash (the lower end of Iron Wash). This section is generally the worst section of road and usually requires high clearance or a 4x4. 12S 541854E 4284066N / 38°42'15"N 110°31'07"W

After crossing Iron Wash, the road ascends out of the wash, reaching a junction at 0.9 miles. Go right. 12S 541359E 4284116N / 38°42'17"N 110°31'28"W

The road crosses the open desert, coming to a minor junction at 2.8. Stay left here. 12S 541005E 4286750N / 38°43'42"N 110°31'42"W

3.1 miles - Trailhead. There is decent primitive camping at the trailhead. 12S 540548E 4286806N / 38°43'44"N 110°32'01"W

Storm brewing over Ernie

Route Description

From the trailhead, simply follow the wash into it. It crosses a log fence and passes through shallow Navajo walled narrows. An open area offers big views of the reef before the canyon begins cutting into the steeper walled Wingate layer.

It is about 3 miles (1-1.5 hours) from the log fence to the mining ruins on the left. Look high on the right here to see the arch. A bend or two past the ruins / arch the canyon opens broadly behind the reef. The best scenery is over, returning from here is recommended.