The Many Pools Trail

Strap on a grippy pair of hiking boots and bring the camera, the Many Pools trail is a trail to discover. Fine sand coating the rocky sections can make this hike a bit slippery, so take your time, and watch your step. This trail features chockstones, hoodoos, and of course, the many pools for which it’s named. The many pools are homes and watering holes for desert fauna such as frogs, lizards, and bighorn sheep. This water, however, is not safe for human consumption. This hike is fun for the whole family and is full of geological and biological wonders.

The trailhead for the Many Pools Trail is unmarked, but can be found on the north side of the highway about 150 yards east of the parking pullout. The trail follows the many pools drainage and as you hike along, the pools themselves get larger and deeper. Take your time exploring these natural wonders, and be careful when walking along the water’s edge, the rock can be slippery. As you continue down the canyon, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep as they often frequent the area. After about a mile down the trail, you will reach an alcove. This alcove is the turn around spot for the Many Pools Trail.

If you wish to extend your time exploring the Many Pools drainage, you can scramble up the left side of the alcove to see a series of layered pools above. This scramble is not recommended for beginner hikers or for families as the rock can be treacherous. If you are feeling very adventurous, you can continue up the Many Pools Canyon to connect with the Deertrap Mountain Trail. Connecting these two trails is a bit of a bushwhack and is, once again, not recommended for beginners or families with children.

Once you’ve had your fill of exploration, follow your steps back along the trail, and across the road to the parking lot. From there, maybe it’s time to head home, or maybe it’s time for another adventure!