Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop • Hike • Utah • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

login for filter options

Oct 14 2022

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Oct 14 2022
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	8.50 Miles	827 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles
	827 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

this hike has been on my radar for a few years and i made sure it fit into the trip this time
drove from torrey to hanksville and then to the trailhead friday morning
both parking lots were almost full mid-morning, numbers enhanced by a group of students from utah state on a backpack trip
we got going ahead of them, fortunately
set out down a wash approaching canyon walls
the trail splits, with bell canyon to the left and little wild horse to the right
we chose to do the loop clockwise - as others have mentioned, saving the best for last
there were a few little obstacles, all manageable, as the canyon tightened up
fun going through here, and we saw very few people until emerging at the jeep road
the road walk was enjoyable - more like a trail than a road
the exit from bell and the entrance to little wild horse were signed
we started seeing more people once in little wild horse canyon
very scenic with a few little obstacles, then walls rose and the canyon became much narrower
there was one downclimb that we got help with after pointing out the bypass to a group
we ran into the backpacking group
then we started running into the people who did an out & back in little wild horse
estimating 95% of the crowd did just that
one annoying traffic jam due to a group of boy scouts that were taking photos at a dead stop
i stopped taking photos at that point
all those people are not my favorite thing
but, things started moving and traffic thinned out
lots of families, kid and dogs
we hit the intersection with bell canyon and exited
the way to do this would be to go early morning and go through little wild horse before it gets jammed up
the rest of the loop is well worth doing and is not nearly as busy
the hike lived up to the hype
this was sue's favorite of the trip
now i can put some of the escalante slot canyons on our list

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Throwing a Wendy

_____________________

hazhole

1 archive

Jul 31 2022

adenium

Guides 4
Routes 93
Photos 302
Triplogs 697

51 male

Joined Jul 05 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Little Wild Horse Canyon, UT

Hiking		Jul 31 2022
		adenium • Triplogs 697

Hiking	3.77 Miles	214 AEG

Hiking	3.77 Miles	2 Hrs 18 Mns	1.64 mph
	214 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Partners

none

no partners

LWH is one of my all-time favorite hikes, though the last time I visited was on my honeymoon and that was 24 years ago. I brought my son out and promised him a great hike that he would remember forever. It didn't quite come together as planned, but we saw the best parts of the canyon anyway. The previous night, in Goblin Valley, it had rained heavily. No idea how many inches, but it was not inconsequential. I knew LWH would have water in it for sure, I just didn't know how much. That question was answered the next day when we headed into the canyon. There was plenty of evidence of flowing water from the previous day, and all traces of human tracks had been obliterated. We soon started coming upon intermittently running water and small pools that got progressively larger. At a couple of points we took our shoes and socks off to try to keep them dry, but this soon became a time-waster and we just walked in the water where we couldn't avoid it. At the intersection of Bell Canyon and LWH, my modus operandi has always been to go up Bell and come down LWH. That way, you save the best for last. For once, I listened to my gut and did just the opposite. I'm glad I did because after the first set of narrows, the way was blocked by a large pool that we would have he to swim (or least wade through a lot deeper than I came prepared to do). We turned back at that point and explored up Bell Canyon a little ways until faced with another large pool. We both decided that what we'd seen was good enough and returned to the Jeep. This was the first time I've been thwarted in making the full loop, so I'll have to come back soon to redeem myself.

_____________________

5 archives

Sep 20 2019

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Sep 20 2019
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Hiking	6.00 Miles	750 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles
	750 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Very cool little slot canyon, only did LWH not Bell

_____________________

1 archive

Oct 28 2017

Johnnie

Photos 792
Triplogs 48

64 male

Joined Nov 29 2009
Gilbert, AZ

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Oct 28 2017
		Johnnie • Triplogs 48

Hiking	8.50 Miles	827 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles
	827 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I can't believe this hike doesnt have dozens of postings. we drove 550 miles each way so we could hike 8.5 miles thru these canyons and everyone in our group agreed it was more than worth it. there is a nice dry camping area nearby with stunning views of the sky at night. we hiked in thru bell canyon first so we could save the best of the narrows for last but bell canyon was still wonderful. the entire hike is a nice combination of various scales of narrows, and rock formations. As a bonus, depending on your route you will pass by Monument valley and the exit for Newspaper rock. and a road with beautiful views of the Colorado river. next trip we will add a 4th day to stop at more sights along the way. BTW the fall color was spectacular at all the creeks and rivers.

Autumn Foliage Observation Extreme

_____________________

Mar 25 2015

outdoor_lover

Guides 7
Routes 72
Photos 14,456
Triplogs 627

62 female

Joined Aug 19 2011
Scottsdale, AZ

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Mar 25 2015
		outdoor_lover • Triplogs 627

Hiking	8.50 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles
	860 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Last Triplog from this Trip...Last Day Playing in UT, other than the Drive Home the next Day. I hadn't planned on doing anything in the San Rafael Swell this Trip, but when the Ranger mentioned it in Moab with the thought that I could do it on the way to Cedar City, I took the Info. As it turned out, I didn't have time for it on that Day, but it intrigued and somewhere along the Trip, I decided to go ahead and make the Drive up and do it...Then I could just catch I-70 Back, and go through Moab again back to Colorado. So that was the Plan...

After some Early Morning Entertainment in the Capitol Reef Campground, I hit the Road. Got to the Turnoff and then didn't take another turn when I needed to. I was recalling the Ranger's Directions to not take the Turnoff to Goblin Valley, but to go straight...So I did...The Road turned to Dirt and after passing some Campers and a Campground, the Road just kept going and after some time and about 5 Miles, I decided that somehow it just wasn't right. So I drove back to the Intersection and turned. There was another Intersection further in, that the Directions actually applied to... ](*,)

That's ok, I discovered some great Dispersed Camping on my little Detour...

Got to the TH and discovered that like Peek-a-boo and Spooky, this was a very popular Hike. The Parking Lot was Packed and there were at least 15 Cars in the OVERFLOW Lot...On a Wednesday....

Started out and immediately decided to follow the Hordes and do this Loop CCW. I didn't want to start running into everybody going the Opposite Way in the Narrows of Bell...It was a good Call and it seemed like 80% of the People I saw must have just done the Narrows of Little Wild Horse and turned around...I saw very few people after the First 30 minutes except for a Family or two that I kept playing Leapfrog with.

Little Wild Horse is described as being 3 Miles long. The Narrows are about 1 Mile long, still a Canyon with Walls for about 1 1/2 Miles and then basically a Wash for the last 1/2 Mile to the Jeep Road. According to the Topo, Little Wild Horse Canyon actually keeps going, but you turn Left on the Jeep Road. If you watch the Edge of the Wash as you get closer, you'll see a Cairn that will give you a small Shortcut to the Road, saving you about 100 Yards or so....

You then take the Jeep Road over to Bell Canyon. The Main Jeep Road goes to the Right and up a large Hill, but you stay on a secondary Road to the Left that enters the Canyon...The Road disappears after a bit and you're just in the Wash. Bell is shorter and the Narrows are very Short, with most of it being nice Canyon with High Walls. It was very different from Little Wild Horse, even though these Canyons are right next to each other. A lot more Sky, but Cool Walls and Rock just the same. And like every Canyon I've done on this Trip, it certainly had some really Sweet Spots...

And then, you are back in the Main Wash, Hiking past the Little Wild Horse Entrance and on your Way to the TH.

Another nice Hike with Sweet Canyons...Glad I took the Time to do this One, it was worth the Drive. I probably would not want to do this when it gets Hotter though. The Back End felt a bit like a Slog before you got into Bell...There isn't much Shade either.

And this concludes my Trip to Colorado and Utah...I hope you all enjoyed the Ride...Photos? Yeah...Last One.... :sl:

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dark-eyed Junco

Bell Canyon

Dry

Little Wild Horse Canyon

Dry

_____________________

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"

Jun 19 2014

AZLOT69

Guides 177
Routes 249
Photos 10,213
Triplogs 2,215

74 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Jun 19 2014
		AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215

Hiking	8.50 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles
	860 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Slot Canyon, non technical. Really enjoyed it.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bighorn Sheep

_____________________

It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

Apr 23 2014

KwaiChang

Photos 186
Triplogs 17

62 male

Joined Jun 13 2010
Bradenton, FL

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyons Loop

Central, UT

Hiking		Apr 23 2014
		KwaiChang • Triplogs 17

Hiking	8.50 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles	4 Hrs	2.43 mph
	860 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

This was the first of two planned hikes today. The drive there was like entering someone’s back yard – a really really huge and deserted back yard! Initially we planned to hike this as the intended loop but after speaking with the Ranger at Goblin Valley State Park Entrance where we paid our admission he stated he always hikes back the same way as the loop canyon, Bell Canyon is in his words, is boring, compared to Little Wild Horse Canyon.

We left the Rangers station for the trailhead – an easy 5 mile or so drive – saw some just absolutely mind blowingly cool campsites tucked up near the high walls of rocks on the way there….just way too cool. At the trailhead there was a sign in sheet – not everyone was signing in tho. I began to wonder if the fee we paid wasn’t necessary?? Since we were going back to hike Goblin Valley anyways it really didn’t make a difference to us. We got there fairly early and that WAS a bonus. A couple of Aussie ladies had started out about 30 minutes before we did and there were 2 older dudes who started out about when we did.

We came to our first decision point. A basically 6-7 foot dryfall with a small piece of driftwood in it to assist decent and a few small rocks to assist in ascent. My buddy Matt hopped down and I followed – he then kinda shimmied himself up the first part of the dry fall and I threw his pack up to him – I tossed my pack to him and then tried to get my old short fat arse up there and with a helping hand from him I was able to make the first part – then there was another scramble again about 6-7 feet that I tried my level best to make my way thru but there was just no way. As I stood looking at this obstacle :-k

I suddenly noticed the two older dudes just walking on by about 50 or so feet above me!!! ](*,)

Obviously I am not old enough to gain wisdom!! :doh:

We later chatted with them and they said they watched me do the first dryfall and decided there had to be a better way. Sure enough just to the left of the dryfall is a faint trail that heads up and along the dryfall and eventually descends down to the beginning of either Little Wild Horse (to the right) or Bell Canyon (to the left).

So down back into the dryfall I go and back out the way I came in – I find the trail and I get almost to the top of it and realize, hey my pants are wet! I look down and sure enough in my scrambling I managed to get my very first hiking injury! Cool!!!

I get to use this stinking first aid kit I been hauling around all over the state of Utah!!!

I clean up two small scrapes that gave up a fair amount of blood and patched em up. Head down and met up with Matt and off we went up Little Wild Horse.

It starts out kinda bland – I was wondering what all the fuss was and then it got fun. Lots of small scrambles over medium and large sized rocks and then……..the first actual slot canyon – the walls were carved out like a master sculptor had been working on this for several lifetimes. The width varied from less than shoulder width to about 10+ feet. My camera was exploding as was Matts. Then it opened up a bit and then it closed right down again and again and again…..I would guesstimate the canyon walls were at least 100+ feet high in some spots maybe even higher in others and my mental DVR just popped a breaker. :worthy:

I reset it and then popped another. Quite honestly the best hike I have ever experienced so far. The length was only maybe 4 miles or so from trailhead to the end of the Canyon – quite possibly the craziest and coolest 4 miles I have ever walked. No forget that it WAS the coolest. : app :

Along the way we passed the Aussie ladies and that was it – we had the whole dang thing to ourselves and it was heaven. Too bad it was slightly overcast or the images would have even made Ansel happy! We finally reached the end and took a short break for some food – we were loaded to bear and could have easily done this without the day packs we had. I am sure if it was warmer it would have been a different story.

As we headed back it all seemed totally different – the mental DVR that had been reset just exploded again. Going back was like hiking a whole new canyon – each bend was different than the one before it. The water rushing through this canyon has created an awesome Natures Masterpiece. Sadly as we headed back we ran into multiple groups of people so the solitude was lost but the initial hike in was A-1. :y:

A number of firsts – my first injury, my first slot canyon, my first mental DVR explosion and my first OMG I AM SO COMING BACK HERE MOMENT. While the Grand Canyon does hold its sway over me my first slot canyon was a wild and unforgettable experience.

FINALLY almost 2 years later - I added the images.....

_____________________

Out of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.....

1 archive

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

username		X
password		X