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A steep but picturesque descent from the Island in the Sky to the White Rim Road via Murphy Hogback.


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Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

90%

Runnable

6,200' 1,890 m

High

5,185' 1,581 m

Low

125' 38 m

Up

1,060' 323 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Description

This trail is for you if you like steep cliffs and don't mind drop-offs right next to you. The Murphy Hogback Trail descends from Murphy Point all the way to the White Rim Road via the Murphy Hogback. Take a left from the Murphy Point Trail about half a mile from the trailhead. The trail heads straight for the rim offering spectacular views of the Murphy Basin and the White Rim. You might wonder how you are going to descend on this steep rock slide, but there is a way zigzagging down across boulders and a wooden bridge that hugs the vertical walls.

As you reach the bottom of the basin, the trail becomes flatter again. At 1.5 miles the trail splits. Murphy Hogback Trail continue to the right and stays on top of Murphy Hogback. If you are making a loop with a short stretch of the White Rim Road, you'll come back up the Murphy Wash Trail straight ahead. The trail stays close to Murphy Point for another mile before heading south. As you reach Murphy Hogback, views are stunning on both of sides. To the west across Soda Springs Basin with Candlestick Tower in the far. To the east with Murphy Basin framed by Grand View Point and Junction Butte.

You reach the White Rim Road after 4.3 miles near the Murphy campsites. Turn left and follow the White Rim Road to create a loop with Murphy Wash Trail.

Shared By:

Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 10 votes

#410

Overall
  4.9 from 10 votes
5 Star
90%
4 Star
10%
3 Star
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Trail Rankings

#47

in Utah

#410

Overall
18 Views Last Month
2,015 Since Mar 23, 2020
Difficult Difficult

0%
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10%
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80%
10%

Photos

From the top, before the descent
Apr 23, 2018 near Moab, UT
Soda Springs Basin and Candlestick Tower from Murphy Hogback
Mar 22, 2020 near Moab, UT
Murphy Point
Mar 22, 2020 near Moab, UT
From the end of the descent looking up
Apr 23, 2018 near Moab, UT
A 1,000 feet descent right in front of you
Mar 22, 2020 near Moab, UT
White Rim from Murphy Hogback Trail
Mar 22, 2020 near Moab, UT

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Check-Ins

Mar 28, 2019
Crispin Brim
Once you've descended into the canyon, the trail is very runnable to the Rim Road. Great views from the Hogback trail 9.4mi — 2h 53m
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