murphy hogback

Our other long hike (both of the long hikes were suggested by H and I gladly agreed) was to go back to Canyonlands National Park for the Murphy Hogback loop.  (Technically a lollipop.)  We've done this trail twice before, in 2016 and in 2018, and I always remember it as one of my favorites.  

H making his way down

We didn't get on the actual trail until 10 a.m. as it takes an hour to drive there from town, plus we'd waited for it to warm up a little.  There is a big, fancy, new parking lot at the trail head (although a pit toilet would be *chef's kiss*) and plenty of parking.  Although we were far from the first people there, we were the only ones not doing just the overlook.

Looking back up at the mesa

This time, the trail down the cliff face seemed a little more intimidating as it is very exposed.  It was in good shape, though, and still only took us about thirty minutes to go down (and also back up).  The hogback section is my favorite: easy walking with expansive views.

H on the hogback

When we got to the White Rim Road, we had to wait for about fifteen minutes for road construction.  No, seriously.  Here we were, out in the middle of literally nowhere, and a flagger waved us down: they had set a small charge to remove a rock from the steep hill section of the WRR between the hogback trail and the wash trail.  We found a small tree, hunkered down in the shade for sunscreen reapplication and snacks, and continued on our way when he gave us the all's-clear.

View towards the White Rim Road. Note the white rim.

The wash portion was easier walking than it sometimes is since the sand had been well-packed by the recent rains.  We made our way to the base of the cliff, rejoining the trail we'd come down on.  It took H 32 minutes to get to the top of the mesa; I struggled a little bit from the wooden bridge to the top, but once I got off the steep section, I bounced back.  I suspect it was a nutrition issue as neither of us had the stomach for post-hike beers back at the truck.  We did manage to quaff a couple at Woody's later, though.

Hike stats: 10.61 miles; 3:44 hrs/2.8 m.p.h. walking; 4:06/2.6 m.p.h. overall; 1,590' elevation