Spending time outdoors is a great way to relax and rejuvenate, especially in these stressful times. One of the best places in the country to spend time outdoors is the southwest. Here you have the option of hiking, camping out, rock-crawling, or just off-roading to help you unwind.
If off-roading is your thing and you’re tired of the popular off-roading trails in Moab, there’s a whole other world to explore in the southwest. You are always welcome to join us as we discover some of them.
The North Rim trails are some of the ones we love exploring, especially because so many of them are steeped in history. We often learn something new every time we check them out.
Hell Dive Canyon
This trail run is perfect if you have a day to spare. Previously known as the Water Canyon Trail, Hell Dive Canyon will have you driving over sand and some bumpy roads to get to some amazing pictographs. The trail lies in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes which makes it perfect for practicing your sand driving skills. There are a lot more opportunities for recreational activities at the park that you can schedule for later.
To get to Hell Dive Canyon, you’ll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance. Part of the trail is extremely rough and you might have to do some rock crawling, making the high ground clearance vital. The trip starts with you driving 7.2 miles north of Kanab, past milepost 7 then turning west on Hancock road. From there, turn left on Road 50, you’ll need 4WD from here on. Once you get to the intersection, turn right at Road 51 and stick to it until you come to the end of the road. Once there, park and look eastwards to find a faint trail leading to an alcove. You’ll have to hike to that alcove.
The alcove is often referred to as Medicine Man Cave thanks to the amazing pictographs and ceremonial symbols on the walls, There are also lots of metate grinding locations, grooves, and storage pits that suggest this site was used for food storage at some point.
Overall, this is a trip that’s worth it if you’re looking for something off the beaten path. Hell Dive Canyon is located in a remote area so be sure to download a map of the area from our online store. That way you can download it to your GPS device to always know where you are.
Trip Preparation
To make a trip like this, your vehicle needs to be in great condition. You’ll be driving in the desert in a remote area so you really don’t want it breaking down on you.
Contact us and we’ll be happy to schedule a pre or post-trip service and maintenance session for your rig to keep it in top shape.
