| Located within Canyonlands National Park, Murphy Loop Trail begins on the mesa top and descends 1,400 feet to meet the White Rim Road. It forks beneath the Island in the Sky with one side of the trail following the Murphy Hogback formation and the other following a rough drainage to the road. This route is moderately difficult with a well-defined, but rock strewn route leading hikers into Murphy Basin. Generally it take a full day or overnight to complete this trail. Excellent views of the various canyon benches abound along this route. There is no water or access to the Green River along the Murphy Loop Trail.Begin this route at the end of Murphy Road, which stems from Grand View Road approximately two miles from its junction with Upheaval Dome Road. The track leads southwestward from the trailhead along the mesa top. After a half mile of walking the track splits. The right side of the trail leads three quarters of a mile to Murphy Point Overlook. Follow the left side of the fork to reach White Rim Road.Beyond the split with the Murphy Point Trail, the Murphy Loop Trail turns southward to the canyon rim. The trail begins descending using switchbacks along a rocky drainage. It is well-marked, but still rough with no shade or water. The trail descends steeply through the upper rock bands of the canyon.Below the switchbacks Murphy Loop Trail forks. This is the beginning and end of the loop. The right side of this loop remains high on the bench following the Murphy Hogback formation for two and a half miles. This track provides expansive views of the surrounding canyon lands toward the Green River and beyond. After meandering along this bench the trail meets White Rim Road at an elevation of 5,280 feet. At this junction is Murphy Camp a backcountry camping site.At this point to continue along the Murphy Loop hikers should turn southward (left) on to White Rim Road. The route follows the road for approximately one mile to a rocky drainage that crosses the four-wheel drive road. (While on the road hikers can expect to see some biking and four-wheel driving traffic along White Rim Drive.) Turn northward into this drainage.The trail follows the drainage closely for one mile then veers northward away from it. This is the most difficult part of the trail as far as route finding. Be sure to stay on the trail during this portion. Once Murphy Loop Traill leaves the drainage it ascends 300 feet to complete the loop immediately below the switchbacks.From this junction the route ascends through the upper layers of the canyon to the mesa top. Once above this difficult portion of the trail it is only one mile to the trailhead. From the end of the loop to the trailhead hikers will ascend 1,040 feet. |
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