Bears Ears - Cedar Mesa backpacking: Fish and Owl Canyons Loop and the Nevills Arch Trail

Описание: Bears Ears, Canyons of Cedar Mesa: backpacking the Fish and Owl Canyons Loop and the Nevills Arch Trail.


Bears Ears National Monuments - Canyons of Cedar Mesa, Blanding Utah

Trailhead: Fish and Owl Canyons Trailhead.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Fish and Owl Canyons Trailhead to Nevills Arch on the Nevills Arch Trail. 7.3 mi, minor elevation gain.

Day 2: Nevills Arch, confluence of Owl Creek with Fish Creek. Up Fish Canyon. Night camp about one mile after the view point for Natural Arch. 10.5 mi, 400 ft elevation gain.

Day 3: Fish Canyon to Fish and Owl Canyons Trailhead. About 5 mi, Approx. 1100 ft elevation gain from


Trip total: 22.6 mi, 1,900 ft elevation gain total.


Link to the All Trails map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/tra...


Hike Notes
The Fish and Owl Canyons loop is as good as advertised. Both canyons have their own features and character to make the combining loop a truly enjoyable outdoor experience. Descent into and ascent out of the canyons presents a couple of tricky spots which could make some hikers uncomfortable but nothing was seriously difficult or tricky in my opinion. The hike can be certainly done in both directions but I agree with the BLM recommendation of doing it down Owl and up Fish. I think it is a good flow particularly with a first night camp at Nevills Arch which is a magnificent camping spot. The hike at the bottom of both canyons is pure fun and it is varied so there isn't really any "mundane hiking" mile. Water was plentiful in both canyons in April 2023 as it was a snowy year, although no issues with creek crossing.
It is totally possible to hike this loop in two days. I decided for a three days trip and I am glad I did as I took my time and enjoyed the hike without rushing, including adding some side explorations. I really loved the landscape overall.
I met a few backpackers and day hikers on the trail but there was plenty of opportunity for solitude. Even at the Nevills Arch camping area there was only one other party who I also met on the second and third day as we hiked out together.
Beautiful canyons, beautiful hike.

Music:
Waters Will Flow Again by Gabriel Lewis
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.

#backpacking #hiking #bearsears #cedarmesa #fishcanyon #owlcanyon #nevillsarch #trekking

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Trip Highlights: Backpacking the Fish and Owl Canyons Loop and the Nevills Arch Trail
04:19 - Day 1: Fish and Owl Canyons Trailhead, Owl Canyon to Nevills Arch
10:44 - Day 2: Nevills Arch to Owl Creek / Fish Creek confluence, up Fish Canyon
16:39 - Day 3: Fish Canyon to Fish and Owl Canyon Trailhead