Red Canyon: Golden Wall and Castle Bridge Trails
The Red Canyon, in the Powell Ranger District of Dixie National Forest, was the first stop on our two week trip to the northern section of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Located just west of Bryce Canyon, the area boasts red rock hoodoos and spires similar to the national park but without the people. We decided to make a loop, hiking the Golden Wall and Castle Bridge Trails before returning to Route 12 along the Buckhorn Trail and walking the ½ mile back along Route 12 to our trailhead. Combined the trails were about 5 ½ miles, which made for a perfect afternoon walk en route to our overnight spot. There are a few steep climbs along the way too which was a nice warmup for some of the trails we had planned.
Lying between 7,100 and 7,800 feet in elevation, the orange and red sandstone formations are dotted with firs and ponderosa pines, which offers strikingly beautiful contrasts with the dark green conifers. Its a fantastic landscape and one that cannot help but to impress. The trails provide closeup access to hoodoos and eroding walls, but there are endless places to overlook the canyons and valleys below that drain into the Sevier River. The Golden Wall Trail segment of our loop – which I would argue was the most scenic – climbs nearly 700 feet up a saddle from which you can get 360 degree views. You make a final ascent near the junction with the Buckhorn Trail and from here you get even more spectacular views of the Fishlake Mountains to the north as well as the closeup of the eponymous Golden Wall.
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Tom taking photos on the Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Dead bristlecone pine, Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Castle Bridge Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Twofer: double-trunk ponderosa pine, Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Snack break on the Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Alpaca rock, Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Abby leading the way, Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Tom and Abby, Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Glad they put steps here – this is way way steeper than it looks, Golden Wall Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Buckhorn Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
Clouds rolling in on the Buckhorn Trail, Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah
We were near that trail today, but chickened out and were like, what would we see up on that side? (The other side of the road looks more exciting from the parking lot, anyhow.) Now, this is on our list for next time!
It’s a beautiful trail!
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Spectacular landscape! Another one on my list now.
Thanks, neihtn! It’s beautiful and pretty quiet compared with some other areas of the state. Also accessible – right on Scenic Byway 12.
Wow, just wow. These are spectacular. I just want to crawl right into those pictures. When did you go there? The only time we can go is in the summer because my husband is a teacher. And I heard Utah can be pretty hot in the summer.
I was there the last week in October. As far as temperatures, Utah is highly variable. This part (and Bryce Canyon NP nearby) are both at elevation (7,000 and 8,000+, feet respectively) so they won’t be insufferable but if you were combining it with anything like Arches NP or Canyonlands NP in Moab (~4,000ft) or Capitol Reef NP (~5,000ft) it’s going to be really hot in summer. I hiked the three latter parks the first week in September a couple years ago and it was about a 100 degreesF everyday. Zion NP is even lower in elevation and potentially hotter. Because it’s all desert though it really cools down at night so camping isn’t uncomfortable but daytime hikes require lots of water and sometimes doses of good humor. If you’d like more info I can help with some ideas for higher elevation stuff. I’d also like to stress that everything I’ve mentioned is absolutely worth seeing and doing despite the heat. Utah is seriously amazing.
I love Utah… and even better through your eyes.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s pretty much the best state. 🙂 Thank you for such a nice compliment! Stay warm in CC.
If the state of Utah is not sponsoring your blog they (it?) should be! 🙂
Gorgeous pics as always!
Thank you so much, Cheyanne! I’ll have to work on that sponsorship 😉