Aztec Butte Trail
Aztec Butte Trail
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4.5
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Herefsville
Fairport, NY4 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
This hike is fine until the last 50 feet up the butte, then very steep and dangerous. No place to put your hands and feet on the steep rock so you need to literally climb on your hands and knees to get up to the top. I was very surprised that the park recommends this as one of their top six. Nice views at the top, but I would never travel with children on this hike. We were two couples in our 60’s with two 20-year olds ahead of us who were equally surprised at the difficulty. Not for the feint of heart!
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RaleighFrench
Raleigh, NC263 contributions
Sep 2021
Those who couldn't find the graneries did not read the reviews here. Many people have explained where to find them. It is not obvious. The scramble across the rock face right near the top is not for the faint of heart. As a relatively fit 60 year old man, I did not find this hike to be too difficult. I some out of shape people turn around halfway. Also, as someone else said, don't do this trail with a baby! Probably not even a young child.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowacityia
iowa city, ia2,430 contributions
Feb 2023
My wife and I arrived to the trailhead around 1pm. We had the trail to ourselves. Our AllTrails app has the trail at 1.6 miles. An out and back, with a loop around the Aztec Butte. We hiked in the snow to the base of the Aztec butte and saw nothing but steep slick rock. We have good sticky hiking shoes, and were hiking with trekking poles, but we chose to bail on this part, then headed to the Granary instead. In the snow and ice that was more than challenging for us. There were parts that were a bit sketchy. It was fun to actually see the Granary. It was smaller than I had figured. But it ended up being a fun hike in the snow. I would like to do it again in dry conditions.
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LPWilliams
London, UK1,042 contributions
Jun 2011 • Solo
I hiked the 'Aztec Butte Trail' on the 4th day of my multi-day visit to the magical Canyonlands NP, as part of my month-long tour of the Utah/Arizona natural attractions last year. I have posted separate reviews for several individual trails/overlooks, plus an 'introductory' review for the 2 main areas within the NP ('Island in the Sky' and the 'Needles') and the NP as a whole under the TA webpage (incorrectly) entitled 'Canyonland' (sic).
Situated within the 'Island in the Sky' region, I think that the 'Aztec Butte Trail' is quite enjoyable and not that strenuous since the 'access' route to the buttes themselves is essentially flat. It also offers the opportunity to get impressive, long-distance, views looking out northwards from the NP district.
When I prepared to write this review I was surprised to find that a dedicated TA webpage for it didn't exist. So, post my request for one to be generated this should be the inaugural review !
I have compiled an extensive Trip Advisor 'Trip List' for my tour, which includes 'extra' attractions and also has links to the other individual TA reviews I've contributed for the accommodation/attractions I visited - it has been made a Trip Advisor 'Itinerary'; I hope it is of interest and use to you - I plan to add visitor information sections/viewable media sections..... The most direct way to access it is by clicking my review-count below my profile name to the left of this review text. Alternatively, see after my review below the dashed line...
Along with a link at the end of this review, you can also access my other Canyonlands reviews that way...
The trailhead is easy to find, starting from a roadside parking area on the eastern side of the scenic drive as it heads north, just after the turn-off for the quite magnificent, and completely unmissable, 'Green River Overlook' (see my review). There is a large and detailed information board with map showing the destination and enroute features; my photo of it will hopefully be added to this review....
Underfoot the trail is largely firm but quite sandy and in surroundings which I feel might attract a snake population; although I saw none, I had that feeling of being watched....! It has a round-trip distance of 2 miles and there is an ascent of some 200ft or so, but I feel that is if you climb the destination slick sandstone butte rather than stay at ground-level and just gaze at it. - it is graded by the NP as 'Moderate'.
Along the way there are some pleasant views all around you, with various rock ridges/formations lining the route; do note that there is little or no opportunity for shade on that stretch. The butte which gives it's name to the trail is hard to miss, it's a massive off-white coloured rock, which is perhaps better described as a large sandstone 'mound' - it has Navajo connections and 'contains' remnants of an ancient granary....
Once you've scaled it, looked around and of course soaked-up the magnificent panoramas from atop it's time to turn back, perhaps via a detour to some of the other smaller sandstone mounds in the vicinity...
This trail is well worth doing, since it isn't all that strenuous, is not that popular (so can be peaceful), yet offers a pleasant 'inland' stroll as well as great views from atop the sandstone butte/mound, unusual for being to the north/northeast.
I will add any relevant photos after this review is posted by TA.
----------------------------
As well as the method described near the start of this review my TA 'Trip List' can also be accessed from the 'Utah Itineraries' link on the right of the Utah Forum page. Or the direct link is :
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/GoListDetail-i24850-Las_Vegas_to_Zion_Bryce_and_other.html
Alternatively, to search via TA, it is entitled 'Las Vegas to Zion, Bryce and other SUtah Natl Parks + Monument Valley-May 2011'.
Please feel free to send me messages with any questions.
Situated within the 'Island in the Sky' region, I think that the 'Aztec Butte Trail' is quite enjoyable and not that strenuous since the 'access' route to the buttes themselves is essentially flat. It also offers the opportunity to get impressive, long-distance, views looking out northwards from the NP district.
When I prepared to write this review I was surprised to find that a dedicated TA webpage for it didn't exist. So, post my request for one to be generated this should be the inaugural review !
I have compiled an extensive Trip Advisor 'Trip List' for my tour, which includes 'extra' attractions and also has links to the other individual TA reviews I've contributed for the accommodation/attractions I visited - it has been made a Trip Advisor 'Itinerary'; I hope it is of interest and use to you - I plan to add visitor information sections/viewable media sections..... The most direct way to access it is by clicking my review-count below my profile name to the left of this review text. Alternatively, see after my review below the dashed line...
Along with a link at the end of this review, you can also access my other Canyonlands reviews that way...
The trailhead is easy to find, starting from a roadside parking area on the eastern side of the scenic drive as it heads north, just after the turn-off for the quite magnificent, and completely unmissable, 'Green River Overlook' (see my review). There is a large and detailed information board with map showing the destination and enroute features; my photo of it will hopefully be added to this review....
Underfoot the trail is largely firm but quite sandy and in surroundings which I feel might attract a snake population; although I saw none, I had that feeling of being watched....! It has a round-trip distance of 2 miles and there is an ascent of some 200ft or so, but I feel that is if you climb the destination slick sandstone butte rather than stay at ground-level and just gaze at it. - it is graded by the NP as 'Moderate'.
Along the way there are some pleasant views all around you, with various rock ridges/formations lining the route; do note that there is little or no opportunity for shade on that stretch. The butte which gives it's name to the trail is hard to miss, it's a massive off-white coloured rock, which is perhaps better described as a large sandstone 'mound' - it has Navajo connections and 'contains' remnants of an ancient granary....
Once you've scaled it, looked around and of course soaked-up the magnificent panoramas from atop it's time to turn back, perhaps via a detour to some of the other smaller sandstone mounds in the vicinity...
This trail is well worth doing, since it isn't all that strenuous, is not that popular (so can be peaceful), yet offers a pleasant 'inland' stroll as well as great views from atop the sandstone butte/mound, unusual for being to the north/northeast.
I will add any relevant photos after this review is posted by TA.
----------------------------
As well as the method described near the start of this review my TA 'Trip List' can also be accessed from the 'Utah Itineraries' link on the right of the Utah Forum page. Or the direct link is :
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/GoListDetail-i24850-Las_Vegas_to_Zion_Bryce_and_other.html
Alternatively, to search via TA, it is entitled 'Las Vegas to Zion, Bryce and other SUtah Natl Parks + Monument Valley-May 2011'.
Please feel free to send me messages with any questions.
Written May 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JANDDBritinParis
Aberdeen, UK706 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Good hike to two different interesting viewpoints. The first destination is uphill to see grain stores which are slightly awkward to see as they are tucked out of sight just under the top of the hill but only a few steps from the path
The second viewpoint is higher than the first with a difficult step up to get on to the plateau but worth the effort. Once up on the plateau there are excellent views as you walk right around the top. If you walk in a clockwise direction just before you get back to where you started there is a ruined ancient building
Definitely recommend
The second viewpoint is higher than the first with a difficult step up to get on to the plateau but worth the effort. Once up on the plateau there are excellent views as you walk right around the top. If you walk in a clockwise direction just before you get back to where you started there is a ruined ancient building
Definitely recommend
Written November 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSUTraveller
Watson, LA1,906 contributions
Jan 2021
What a wonderful hike to both the butte top and the granaries. It's easy and flat to the fork, and starts climbing across the rock thereafter. Exercise caution as it may be slippery going up the butte.
Written January 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Q
Denver, United States825 contributions
Oct 2020
One of the nicer trails to enjoy and take in the views of Canyonlands. Not too long but offers a great perspective.
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HPSGene
Palos Verdes Estates, CA255 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Fun tail with some scrambling at the top to access an amazing view! The trail took about an hour and a half with time spent at the top as well as the granary.
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaC1982
New York City, NY24 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Great Trail!! seamed a bit daunting looking up when you came to the base of the butte, and as you go up you may think "how am I getting down?" but keep going, it looks much worse than it is! And this is coming from someone deathly afraid of the edge!
The top has amazing views, and was super secluded when we were there. Great spot for a picnic or snack.
The top has amazing views, and was super secluded when we were there. Great spot for a picnic or snack.
Written October 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteamboatTravelers
Steamboat CO87 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Island in the Sky has very limited parking available at trailheads to more popular hikes here, but this one had lots of parking so we did it. Butte has nice views, solitude - strong knees and legs are required for getting up to and over the tricky, rocky ledge, but then you're up. Be sure to visit the ancient Indian pantry, which is a short trail, clearly signed, on the way to the Butte. To find the pantry, follow the cairns - they lead you right to it, although you can't see it until you're almost next to it.
Written October 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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