Lower Muley Twist Canyon
~1 days · 12.8 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Lower Muley Twist Canyon is known for
Out-and-back through the deeply entrenched Lower Muley Twist Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park's Waterpocket Fold, from the Burr Trail Road trailhead down-canyon past The Post Cut-Off junction to the Halls Creek drainage (about 12 miles each way as mapped; commonly hiked as a ~21-mile overnight using The Post cut-off). The sandy canyon floor winds beneath huge undercut alcoves and sheer Wingate sandstone walls; carry all water, as the canyon is dry.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 15,243 ft to 18,665 ft over 12.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 2.5 mi · 19%
- Downhill 8.3 mi · 64%
- Flat 2.1 mi · 16%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Lower Muley Twist Canyon?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Lower Muley Twist Canyon scores 11/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Lower Muley Twist Canyon take?
Most backpackers hike the Lower Muley Twist Canyon in about 1 days (0 nights out) over its 12.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Lower Muley Twist Canyon?
The Lower Muley Twist Canyon climbs roughly 1,627 ft total — about 127 ft per mile, topping out near 5,689 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.