Wilhite Trail - 11.7 Miles Round-Trip

The Wilhite Trail stretches 5.85 miles from the Island Mesa top to White Rim Road in Canyonlands National Park. This moderately-strenuous trail runs a short time through brush flats and open slickrock before plunging 850’ in just .65 miles into Upper West Basin.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

It continues around the base of vertical cliffs and down a colorful wash to White Rim Road, just over which are partially navigable slots that eventually spill into the Green River. The Wilhite Trail comes highly recommended for its diverse terrain, exceptional views and intriguing geologic features:

The Wilhite Trail begins on Upheaval Dome Road, 8.4 miles from the visitor center.

It moves quickly but with minimal clarity up a diversely vegetated flat to a crest on the mesa (.6 miles : 5,932’) with panoramas over Holeman Spring Basin, Upper West Basin and the Green River. Candlestick Tower (5,867’) stands prominently to the SW.

A well-established social trail (better defined than the main) branches north from this crest to an overlook, which can be misleading.

The Wilhite Trail continues west and down through rolling slickrock dotted with juniper and water-retaining potholes. Follow cairns and look for wildlife on this stretch.

Cairns lead to the mesa rim and a vertical chute carved between two sheer cliffs, where you'll begin a challenging descent through rugged talus (1.35 miles : 5,720’). Tread patiently on this difficult section.

Morning shade is a unique plus on this north-facing descent, though by afternoon much of it is fully lit.

The trail twists quickly and frequently through large boulders and loose rock before moderating at the foot of the debris field (2.0 miles : 4,870’).

It spills into a spacious terrace between the mesa top and basin floor and begins a long, deliberate hook around the base of the (south) cliff wall you just descended (see map, points 4 - 7).

It first passes through level brush flats (2.25 miles), then rugged undulations across a broad spectrum of exposed sandstone layers and mineral deposits that comprise the landscape. This latter segment is especially interesting and photogenic, albeit strenuous.

The trail completes the ‘hook’ (3.05 miles : 4,868’), and drops steeply once again into the crimson expanse of Upper West Basin (3.2 miles : 4,660’).

It levels a short distance before dropping into a wash (3.4 miles : 4,575’) that leads all the way to White Rim Road. This wash is arguably more interesting than most in the desolate backcountry, primarily for its colorful collection of rocks washed down from the mesa’s escarpment.

Travel quickens through the wash, with only a few marked forks that require attention, especially the wash exit on the return.

Wash walls recede into wide open desert on the final approach to White Rim Road (5.85 miles : 4,268’). Bear right at the fork just before the road.

The slot canyon is located just over the road, which runs a short distance before reaching an impassable dry fall. Technical gear and expertise are required for further travel.

The slot is quite easy to enter, but potentially difficult to exit. The rock is polished with minimal traction; pools frequently hold water that can slicken your shoes and rock on the way out. Numerous hikers have been rescued from these slots. Know your abilities before entering.

The return hike climbs 1664’ from White Rim Road back to the .6 mile crest. Anticipate challenging terrain and hot temperatures in open desert, and manage travel time and resources accordingly.