State: Utah
Location: Canyonlands National Park
Length, Round Trip: 17.4 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 3920 feet
Maximum Elevation: 6050 feet
Elevation Change: 2130 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate
Fishing In Utah
Trail Information
The Lathrop Trail leads from Grays Pasture on the mesa top and descends to the White Rim Road, through Lathrop Canyon to the Colorado River. It provides sweeping views of the canyonlands as it descends to the white rim. The total elevation loss along the route is 2,000 feet in approximately 8.7 miles. The first stretch of this trail is the most physically challenging as it descends steep slopes. The latter portion of the trail follows the White Rim Road for a short distance then Lathrop Canyon Road to the Colorado River. An overnight night permit is necessary to complete this tread.
Begin this hike at Lathrop Trailhead on the eastern side of the road in an area of the mesa called Grays Pasture. The trail heads southeast along the mesa top for 1.5 miles before making a sweeping turn north to the canyon rim. The trail continues on this path for about 0.5 miles before beginning to descend steeply.
The trail descends 560 feet along an arm of the mesa ending at a 5,932-foot point. About 4.5 miles from the trailhead the trail begins to descend the steepest point of the canyon wall into Lathrop Canyon. Hikers descend on switchbacks to an elevation of 4,960 feet at the head of the canyon. The trail contours the head of the canyon and descends along its southern wall.
The trail reaches White Rim Road after another 0.5 miles at approximately 4,480 feet. From this junction to the Colorado River, the trail follows four-wheel drive roads. Hikers can expect to see a considerable amount of biking, four-wheel driving traffic on White Rim Road.
Turn right on to White Rim Road and hike about 200 yards to Lathrop Canyon Road. Turn left on to this dirt road to continue to descending to the Colorado River.
The first 1.5 miles of Lathrop Canyon Road is a slow descent. The road remains on the western side of the drainage during this portion of the descent. It reaches a tributary entering from the west before entering the goosenecks of Lathrop Canyon. South of the tributary, the road continues to descend steadily. It is 2.5 miles to the Colorado River from the beginning of the goosenecks to the end of Lathrop Canyon Road.
Directions
From Island in the Sky Visitor Center:
Travel south along Utah 313 for 2 miles to the Lathrop Trailhead on the eastern side of the road.
