Name: Pritchett Canyon/Hunter Rim Loop
Rating: 4.0

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The last two miles of this loop if done clockwise are extremely difficult to navigate. The grade is inaccurate. There are portions of climbing and descending 90 degrees. It is easy to get lost or cliffed out. There is extreme exposure with some high risk scrambling and bouldering involved. The cairns are few and not visible. Use extreme caution.

Overview

The terrain is rocky and sandy with short, steep ascents. Some highlights you'll see are arches, petroglyphs, a granary, views of Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, killer singletrack above Hunter Rim Trail and Gatherer Canyon, and a spring.

Need to Know

This is recommended as an expert-only trail loop. There is an extremely technical section along the Hunter Canyon Rim with exposure and route-finding where experience is needed.

Description

This 12.4-mile loop has long, rugged sections in Pritchett Canyon and Hunter Canyon Rim Trail. Hunter Canyon Rim Trail has high, exposed singletrack and is above Gatherer Canyon. There are a few rock arches in Pritchett Canyon and a granary up a side drainage just before the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail singletrack.

Most people complete this route clockwise, starting at Pritchett Canyon and end at Gatherer Canyon. The only major turn is at the Pritchett Canyon/Behind the Rocks/Hunter Rim Junction. Turn right at this junction onto the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: BLM Utah - Moab Field Office

Shared By:

Chris Martinez with improvements by Joi Roberts

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.0 from 21 votes

#2

in Amasa Back

#1094

Overall

4.0 from 21 votes

5 Star		29%
4 Star		57%
3 Star		5%
2 Star		10%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Amasa Back

#82

in Utah

#1,094

Overall

27 Views Last Month

9,287 Since Mar 27, 2015

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Photos

Mar 6, 2021 near Moab, UT

The Pritchett Canyon portion of the trail... a few jeeps in the beginning but then not a soul for miles and miles.

Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT

Beautiful structures typical of this area in Utah

Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT

Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT

One of the four arches I saw on the run.

Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT

Pritchett Canyon is easy to navigate, a 4x4 road the entire way. Sand, boulders, and a little climbing at the end.

Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT

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Check-Ins

Apr 10, 2022

Clark Sperry

12.5mi

Mar 7, 2021

Ryan Whiteside

Hunter canyon is not bad at all; just watch for cairns and follow the ledges up. The arch 1/2 way (not shown) is cool. Follow road to dead end.

Nov 9, 2018

Lissa Wanserski

Liked hunter better. Neat arch at 1/2 way 12.5mi

May 14, 2018

Robert Barton

Went to Hall Bridge and then cross country to Pritchett Arch. This involved much more scrambling than staying on road. Fun to watch 4x4's in canyon. 15mi

Mar 1, 2018

Jonathan Trowbridge

fun trail! did it clockwise starting on the private property. went off trail once due to bad careens but thankfully checked the map before trying t… 12.5mi

May 12, 2017

Alex Weech

Do not recommend when it is over 80°F. Hardly any shade. Also, the fee is $2 per person. 12.5mi

Nov 5, 2016

Dan Broman

Ran as part of the Moab trail half marathon - 2:25:52

Oct 15, 2016

Patrick Hanley

Completed whole trai with add on of Pritchett Arch. Trail was 75% double track with a hike back on the road to the car. Trail descriptio is misleading 13.7mi