State: Utah
Location: Zion National Park
Length, One-Way: 8.1 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 3750 feet
Elevation Change: 950 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Light
Upheaval Dome
Trail Information
The Chinle Trail heads through the Huber, Scoggins and Coalpits washes of the Virgin River. It passes through a variety of desert terrain including arid benches, steep-walled canyons and sandy washes. This route is lower in elevation than most trails within Zion National Park and it is best to hike the Chinle Trail in the spring, fall or winter, avoiding the hotter summer days. The trail is a little over 8 miles long one way and would make a good day hike, but you could backpack for two days in the region if you wanted to explore the upper washes as well.
Begin the Chinle Trail at the trailhead on the north side of Highway 9, about 3.5 miles west of the south entrance to Zion or about one mile east of Rockville. The trail begins at an elevation of 3,850 feet. From the trailhead, follow the abandoned four-wheel drive road northwest as it ascends toward Rockville Bench. The first few miles of this quiet desert trail are fairly easy walking along a wide sandy path. Ahead you have views of Mount Kinesava and the Three Marys and behind are the Eagle Crags.
The trail enters the National Park and continues climbing slowly. The trail crosses a level area north of the Rockville Bench then descends to Huber Wash. The trail crosses Huber Wash 3.4 miles from the trailhead. The trail heads north out of the wash and enters a forested area known as the Petrified Forest. The trail ascends through the forest then over a relatively level terrain. To the northwest. you can see Cougar Mountain and looking east reveals views of the Towers of the Virgin, the West Temple and the Sundial. The trail enters the Scoggins Wash drainage.
The Chinle Trail skirts the narrows of Scoggins Wash by making a wide turn north toward the head of the drainage. The trail crosses the wash then heads southwest paralleling the northern bank of the canyon. Leaving Scoggins Wash, the trail ascends slightly. Approximately 1.5 miles past the crossing of Scoggins Wash, the trail turns west at a junction. The trail leading east at this junction is the Old Scoggins Stock Trail. It descends into the canyon.
Once on the mesa beyond Scoggins Wash, the trail moves towards three knolls, passing through several small saddles, traversing a meadow and crossing the Old Scoggins Stock Trail on the crossing of the headlands between Scoggins Wash and Coalpits Wash. Continuing west, the trail passes between two knolls and bends around to the north. The final descent into Coalpits Wash brings Cougar Mountain, Smith Mesa and Lambs Knoll into view and at the bottom you’ll find the lovely sight of a pretty waterfall a bit upstream from Coalpits Spring the official end of the trail. However, you can follow the wash farther north into the Upper Coalpits Wash section up into the base of the Towers of the Virgin surrounding mountains.
This trail can be uncomfortably hot in summer, but an absolute delight November through May, with blankets of wildflowers to delight the eye in spring. You should plan on a long day for this hike.
Note: It is forbidden to remove any petrified wood samples from a national park. Save the goods for other people to enjoy!
Do watch for snakes
Directions
From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center:
Drive 3.5 miles west on Utah Highway 9 to a parking area on the right (north) side of the road. From here, follow a marked trail 1.4 miles through a recent real estate development.
