Hamburger Rocks and Muley Tanks

Hamburger Rocks and Muley Tanks is an 11.7-mile out-and-back from The Post Corral, following Halls Creek to two short sandstone side trips. It is a long desert day on an unmaintained backcountry route, not a signed trail. Set aside about six hours, and longer if you need extra time to navigate or explore. The park says route-finding and map-reading skills are critical.

A short walking access leads south from the corral to the open Halls Creek drainage. From there, the route follows sandy ground, old road traces and worn footpaths with little shade. You reach the mouth of Lower Muley Twist Canyon about 4.7 miles in, then continue roughly another mile toward the rocks. The route is easy to lose in places: the Hamburger Rocks spur is unmarked, and cairns can be absent or misleading. Carry a current map and confirm the approach before leaving the main corridor.

A sign marks the short detour to Muley Tanks. The slickrock potholes lie about 200 yards north of Hamburger Rocks. The rocks are low, dark-red hoodoos perched on a pale Navajo sandstone slope; the red caps stand out clearly against the light stone. The final climb leaves the main route, crosses a sandy wash and goes west up the open slope. Water may collect in the tanks, but it is unreliable and must be purified; do not plan on it as your supply.

The route passes the mouth of Lower Muley Twist Canyon but does not take its longer loop. The park says Mormon pioneers used that canyon as a wagon route from 1881 to 1884 while traveling toward San Juan County. Its name comes from the old idea that the canyon was narrow enough to twist a mule through.

Reach The Post Corral / Lower Muley Twist Trailhead by the short dirt spur off Burr Trail Road. The access roads are remote: the park describes Notom-Bullfrog Road as usually passable for passenger cars when dry, while Burr Trail may require high clearance at times; the spur can be rough after rain. There is no confirmed food, toilet or potable-water service at the trailhead. Summer heat can be extreme, and flash flooding is a concern in the region's canyons during the usual July–September monsoon season. Pets are not permitted on hiking trails or in the backcountry. An overnight backcountry permit is required for camping.