Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase–Escalante · Hard · Out and back

Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs

A long climb from the Fremont River to the Rim Overlook above Fruita and on to the Navajo Knobs, with a view all round.

Distance
9.1 mi (14.7 km)
Ascent
1,621 ft (494 m)
Time
About 5 h
Grade
Hard

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs
Jtwag55 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The hike

The walk shares its start with the Hickman Bridge Trail. After a quarter of a mile the Rim Overlook Trail turns off to the right and climbs steadily over slickrock benches, marked by cairns, past a view down onto Hickman Bridge. At 2.3 miles it reaches the Rim Overlook, on the edge of a cliff high above the orchards of Fruita. The trail carries on north-west along the rim, rising across broad shelves of rock above the Castle, to the foot of the Navajo Knobs, and a short scramble gains the top. Return the same way.

It is 9.1 miles (14.7 km) round trip with 1,620 feet (494 m) of climbing; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Hard: it is long and climbs almost all the way out, on bare rock in full sun.

The climb given is the park's figure for the rise to the knobs. The trail dips and climbs again along the rim, so you will climb rather more than that in all. The park rates the trail strenuous. There is no water and almost no shade: carry at least a gallon each in summer and start early. Cairns mark the route across the rock, and the park asks you not to build new ones. Pets are not allowed on trails. All visitors need a park entrance pass, which is $20 a vehicle.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with the distance and time worked out from it. The climb is the published figure: height data cannot be trusted on this ground. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • Shares its start with Hickman Bridge, then climbs onto the Waterpocket Fold
  • Rim Overlook looks down on Fruita's orchards; the knobs beyond see all round
  • Cairns mark the slickrock beyond the overlook; no water and little shade

Getting there

Start: Hickman Bridge Trailhead. 38.28874, -111.22816

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase–Escalante: Booking.com → Expedia →

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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.