Straight Canyon to Crawford Canyon

Going from either Crawford Canyon Trailhead to Straight Canyon can only be done on an ATV because the route is too narrow and twisty for a UTV. You can see much of the route system including each end, but you will not be able to ride the entire route.

On the Crawford side going south, you will climb up to Powell Point, where John Wesley Powell set up a surveying site comprised of laying down three logs in a triangle. Here you will see for many miles. IF you will look closely you will see where he cut the trees down and possibly a remaining log. Some say the rim eroded and the logs fell off the edge, but there are logs there by the three tree stumps.

This route system makes a loop starting at Crawford Canyon Trailhead and goes south, west, north and west back to the trailhead. There are several side routes that provide access to the rim of Paunsaugunt Plateau.

You will notice two maps of this route system. The green loop starts at the Straight Canyon Trailhead, showing the “ATV only” section. This map also shows a route going under the rim. In 2005, the route on the north side was washed out. Plans are to restore this in 2006. Check for local conditions. This is one of the two trailheads that offer public restrooms.