Big Spring Canyon Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Views

You can easily access this trail from the Squaw Flat Trailhead parking area alongside Squaw Canyon Trail. At the fork between the two, keep to the right/southwest and follow the dirt path to a small section of rock. Some very easy scrambling/big steps will take you up this. Keep an eye out for cairns on the solid rock surfaces as the trail may be hard to see.

After the small rock section, you'll be on flat, dirt canyon floor. You'll pass the Big Spring to Elephant Canyon Trail on your right after 0.75 miles. Continue south along the mostly flat canyon bottom. As you go, the rock walls on either side of you'll get higher and higher until they tower over you.

Just after 2.5 miles, the trail begins to climb. You're going to transfer out of the Big Spring Canyon and into Squaw Canyon - an excellent section of scrambling leads to amazing canyon views from the top at Squaw Canyon Overlook. The scrambling here can look intimidating, but it's really not too hard, and totally worth it. The sandstone provides great traction as long as it's dry. This may be a spot you choose to turn around at if you want a short run.

Enjoy the views for a bit and then descend into Squaw Canyon. Squaw Canyon Trail heads north, and makes an excellent loop (see Big Spring Canyon/Squaw Canyon Loop Trail). Continue east around the rock pillar and curve back to the southwest. The trail follows a wide rock ledge that is marked by occasional cairns. You'll come to another canyon wall to scramble over that separates Squaw from a branch of Elephant Canyon. This scramble is less daunting, and also provides sensational views. A ladder will help you down into the branch of Elephant Canyon.

The trail continues down the branch of Elephant Canyon until it meets the Chesler Park Trail. This section descends a fair amount and weaves from the very sandy canyon floor to rock ledges near the bottom.