World > North America > USA Southwest > Syncline Loop

One of the best hiking hikes in the world is

SYNCLINE LOOP

Other great hikes connecting to Syncline include:

  • Alcove Spring
  • Upheaval Canyon
  • Upheaval Dome Overlook

The longest popular variation (almost 20mi) is Alcove Spring/Syncline Loop. Most trails in this region are short as water supply is short.

The red dot is CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK , Utah.

AT A GLANCE

"Come to our wilderness, but be ready to rough it."
- Bates Wilson

  • our favourite hike on the Island in the Sky section of the National Park
  • circles unique Upheaval Dome, a strage and controversial geological feature, likely an ancient meteor crater
  • strenuous hiking and scrambling
  • 8mi (12.8km) plus sidetrips for the basic Loop
  • may take 6-8hrs, longer than expected
  • most hikers do a series of day trips in this park, but you can overnight
  • elevation change: 13000ft (396m) or more
  • dangerous in bad weather
  • dangerous in hot weather
  • danger of hypothermia at night
  • carry all your own water
  • no public transportation to trailhead
  • worst months are June - Aug when average highs of 104F (40C) can strike down even fit hikers
  • open year round, best months are in the Spring and Fall

WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE

This is rugged, varied, fascinating desert hiking from start to finish. The most unique hike on Island in the Sky. In fact, the entire region is wonderful.

  • hiking permit not required (unless you overnight)
  • access to the trailhead quick and easy out of Moab, Utah if you have your own vehicle
  • sidetrip into the middle of the crater option
  • backcountry campsites available
  • other amazing hikes and million dollar views from edge of the Island on the Sky
  • on the same trip hike nearby Delicate Arch and Devil's Garden
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Upheaval Dome - 6.2mi (10km) in diameter

CONSIDERATIONS

Hikers are warned repeatedly about the dangers of the heat and the real risk of getting lost. (This is one part of the world where carrying a GPS is highly recommended.)

Before you hike this region, read this day hike trip report: lost overnight on Syncline Loop / Upheaval Canyon 

People have died in this area. You can suffer heat stroke in the day, hypothermia at night. Be careful.

The most common problem, however, is running out of water. Bring far more than you need from Moab. (You may have to help someone else. We kept a stash of large tap-water-filled soft drink bottles in the trunk, just in case.)

  • National Parks entrance fee required for Canyonlands
  • likely no water at either the campground or Visitor Center
  • Visitor Center sells bottled water, but has no food for sale
  • you need a vehicle to hike Canyonlands. Hitchhiking is illegal in the National Park.
  • backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips (a good reason to do Syncline as a dayhike)
  • carry plenty of water and sufficient clothing
  • very little shade
  • typically hot days, cold nights
  • flash floods can be dangerous
  • beware snow and ice mid-winter
  • steep descents and ascents
  • beware lightning strikes
  • normal mobile phones unlikely to have coverage
  • cairns mark the route — but you'll still do a lot of backtracking and route finding. They can be very confusing.

  • pets allowed in the Park and in campgrounds, but not on any hiking trails nor on any four-wheel-drive roads (not even inside vehicles)
  • mosquitoes and biting flies may be a slight problem in the spring and early summer.
  • if you really look, you may be able to find: black widow spider, centipede, scorpion, rattlesnake or tarantula. They are normally not a bother.
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ROUTES

  • best route for most hikers is the Syncline Loop done as a day hike
  • by far the most popular trailhead for the Syncline Loop is Upheaval Dome Parking Area (far right on the map below).
  • a few with offroad vehicles access the area by starting with a climb up Upheaval Canyon from the White Rim road (far left on the map, close to the Green River)


  • the 8mi Syncline Loop is marked "Syncline Trail" on this NPS map. Most hike it clockwise.
  • most essential sidetrip is 1mi Upheaval Dome Overlook (here marked "First Overlook")
  • the sidetrip into the crater from Syncline Backcountry Campsite is a scramble. Most decide not to do it. But if you've got the juice when you get to the marked turnoff, go in and out as far as you wish into the crater, or trip the entire 3mi (4.8km) crater loop (not shown on the map above).
  • there are a dozen other route options, all good for the experienced hiker with desert survival gear and route finding skills.
  • but for an overnight hike, the most popular itinerary is the approx. 20mi (32km) Alcove Spring/Syncline Loop via Upheaval Canyon. There are several official campsites and many unofficial campsites recommended in the Falcon Guide (Which also recommends 2 nights out for an optimal trip, rather than one. Make sure you carry this guidebook if you decide to overnight.)
  • the best sidetrip on Alcove Spring/Syncline Loop is the challenging Moses Trail 2mi (3.2km) lollypop loop via Aphrodite, Zeus and Moses spires.
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LOGISTICS

If you sign on with a guided tour, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.

  • it's nearly essential to have your own vehicle to travel in this part of the world.
  • many rent a car in a major city and drive to Moab, Utah. Salt Lake City is 4.5hrs, Denver is 6hrs, Las Vegas further.
  • if you insist on coming via public transport, take the Bighorn Express shuttle van from the Salt Lake City airport. You can catch Bighorn in Green River as well which has both Greyhound bus and Amtrak train service.
  • American Spirit shuttle can deliver you to Moab from Grand Junction, Colorado
  • you could even fly to Moab's Canyonlands Field airport though flights are expensive
  • in town the best rent-a-car option is Thrifty Moab . Book ahead as their cars are often "out" during high season. (There are plenty of expensive jeeps and Hummers available though.)
  • more transportation options
  • driving through Moab on the noisy highway is a drag. Many experienced hikers avoid this over-priced tourist trap except to resupply with groceries and do laundry. But there is a great outdoors shop (Gearheads) if you need camp stove fuel.
  • to be fair, if you take any side street in Moab, you'll find a clean, friendly town with amazing bike trails
  • Moab has an award winning public library
  • free wireless internet is available almost everywhere in town if you have your own laptop
  • there are many accommodation and restaurant options
  • tent at charming Up The Creek campground in Moab or just out of town in one of many popular spots along the river. (Ask about free tenting spots at tourist information.)
  • The entrance to Island in the Sky, Canyonlands is about 45min drive from Moab. It's even closer to the town of Monticello, a good place to pick up last-minute supplies.


NPS

  • stop at the National Park visitor center to check on local conditions, trail closures, etc. The staff is very helpful.
  • the only National Park vehicle campground is Willow Flats. It may be difficult to get a spot. (Another reason to do the Syncline Loop as a dayhike.)
  • we car camped instead in nearby Dead Horse State Park, a far better car campground
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Hike and bike shuttles from Moab. Negotiate a fee for drop-off and/or pick-up.

HIKING GUIDES

If you can handle desert scrambling, hike Syncline independently. We do not know of any guided tours. (You could check with the Park for an up-to-date list of official concessioners.)

PERMITS and RESERVATIONS

No backcountry permit needed for dayhiking.

If you want to overnight you can walk in or make a reservation (at least 2wks in advance). For Island in the Sky, we found it fairly easy to get a backcountry permit on arrival.

Mid-week is obviously easier than on the weekend.

There was a backcountry fee of US$15 / group (up to 7 people) in 2007.

"Reservation office staff are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Mountain Time), at (435) 259-4351.

... Reservations may not be made over the phone or by email."

Of the two nearest car campgrounds, we prefer Dead Horse State Park. Try the fancy Reserve America website to make a reservation. It seems to work.

Many hikers cannot book long enough in advance to get a reservation. We got a spot for Dead Horse campground by arriving at the information center just before opening in the morning.

There is some overflow camping available, as well..

LOCAL INFORMATION

First stop in town should be the Moab Visitors Center . Check on local news, road construction, trail closures, etc.

For information on Canyonlands itself:

BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS

Best is Bill Schneider, the co-founder of Falcon guidebooks.

There are a dozen other good Utah hiking books, of course, many of which include Syncline.

BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Desert Solitaire  - Edward Abbey, 1968 is the essential book for a visit to this region. His comic, insightful experiences as a Park Ranger in the early days still resonates with hikers today.

BEST MAPS

If you are tenting overnight, confirm the available campsites on whatever map you carry. The Park Service tends to close and move backcountry camps. Trails are re-routed. Many maps are inaccurate in this region.

Trails Illustrated Island in the Sky and Upheaval Dome shows hiking routes, recreational activities and is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. It's the best though is certainly not needed if you are only hiking Syncline. (Get it for sure if you are over-nighting in the backcountry.

If possible, buy it at Island in the Sky visitor center. Confirm you route with the Rangers right then and there.

On-line maps:

Free maps are available for Island in the Sky at visitor centers.

BEST WEB PAGES

After this page, the best links are:

BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS

MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs

There are many DVDs and VHS videos for sale in Utah which include Canyonlands.



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This page last modified Tuesday, December 25, 2007.