Lower Spring Canyon

Lower Spring Canyon is a 9.7-mile, one-way route from Chimney Rock parking to the Fremont River, dropping through Chimney Rock Canyon into the long, winding lower canyon. Allow five to seven hours. This is strenuous backcountry hiking, not a maintained trail, so a map, GPS, and strong route-finding are part of the hike; don't assume the cairns will be there. Arrange a pickup or shuttle at the river end before you start. The trail line ends at the river, and reaching Highway 24 means a ford.

You start by climbing the Chimney Rock switchbacks. At the top, keep to the left, northerly side of the loop; this avoids the southern approach and meets the signed Chimney Rock Canyon route after about 0.9 mile. Follow that canyon for 1.5 miles to Spring Canyon. Three large side canyons join from the left before the junction, where the walls open up. Continue straight and east down Spring Canyon.

Roughly a mile below the junction are two dry falls, each 10 to 15 feet, in a narrow section. The route goes around them on a hiker-made path on the north, or left, side. This is a steep, loose bypass with about 100 feet of severe exposure. It can be treacherous when wet, snowy, or icy; if you're uncomfortable with exposure or the ground is slick, turn around before reaching it. There is no maintained path through these obstacles.

Beyond the bypass, the route keeps to the canyon floor for miles. The wash winds between tall Wingate cliffs and pale Navajo domes, alternating close walls with wider views across side draws. Route-finding gets harder where the canyon floor splits; cairns are unofficial and can be missing or misleading. There is no dependable water. A possible spring is noted several miles in, but it may be dry, and brief pools can disappear into the sand. This is a point-to-point crossing, not a hike to a destination and back.

The color contrast is part of the geology: hard red Wingate sandstone builds sheer walls, while paler Navajo sandstone tends to round into domes. About halfway through, look for an unnamed arch on the left skyline; it isn't marked on the map. At the broad Spring Canyon confluence, a low angle with the wash in front of the walls gives a good sense of scale. Don't stop on the exposed bypass for photos; watch your footing.

At the canyon mouth, you must ford the Fremont River; there is no bridge, and depth changes with flow. It is often thigh-deep, but flood water can be swift and carry debris. Avoid narrow canyons when storms threaten; flash-flood season typically runs July through September, and summer heat can be punishing. Spring and fall are the better seasons. The Highway 24 exit uses unmarked pullouts near milepost 83, east of the visitor center. Without a shuttle, the return walk along the highway to Chimney Rock adds 6.6 miles, making 16.3 miles total. Overnight trips require a free backcountry permit; pets aren't allowed on this route.