Pole Canyon & Power Pole Rim - Level 5
Pole Canyon & Power Pole Rim is a backcountry route in Grand County, Utah, on the Entrada Bluffs above the Colorado River near Cisco and Dewey Bridge. It runs out and back across the bluffs, passes Mule Shoe and Pole Canyon, and branches toward several rim and plateau overlooks.
The Power Pole Rim section is a rougher, more technical line off the main Pole Canyon Rim route. The two sections meet a few miles in, so you can combine them into one trip.
Trail Summary
- LocationGrand County, Utah
- Distance10.3 miles
- DifficultyLevel 5
- Elevation4,042 ft to 5,337 ft with a 1,295 ft change
- Travel Time1 hour 48 minutes
Difficulty
Best suited for a lightly modified 4x4
This trail is rated Difficult (level 5) and suits a lightly modified 4x4. Expect a small lift, tires larger than stock, and skid plates and rock sliders for protection. The surface is rocky, rutted or undulating, with ledges, drops, climbs or water crossings up to about 2 feet tall or 18 inches deep. Tire placement needs care, and some sections can be steep, loose or off-camber. The driver's log has no specific obstacle notes, so plan on steady, technical driving rather than one single hard spot.
Terrain
The route starts on dirt and slickrock across the Entrada sandstone bluffs. Further along the surface gets rockier, with many small stair-step ledges. Most of these are a few inches high, with an occasional step of 6 to 10 inches. Traction is generally good because there is little loose sand. On the way to the far overlooks the track narrows and winds through thick brush, so pinstriping is likely. The surrounding country is open desert mesa, with the Colorado River canyon dropping away on the rim side.
Highlights
The overlooks at the end of the route sit roughly 1,200 feet above the Colorado River. The southern fork ends at a rim-side viewpoint, and the northern fork ends on a plateau with views in every direction. There is room to camp at the end of both forks. Reports describe the trail as lightly used, and some drivers have found no recent tire tracks. Several campsites also sit along the edge of Pole Canyon early in the drive.
Trail GPS File
Map
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