Split Rock Loop Trail

Split Rock Loop Trail is a 2.5-mile circuit from the Split Rock picnic area, winding among granite boulders and across desert washes. The total includes the out-and-back visit to Face Rock. Allow about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. It stays in boulder country rather than climbing to a summit, so the draw is the changing rock shapes and the close-up desert scenery. The trail is short, but not always obvious underfoot: washes and branching social paths can make the loop hard to follow.

The walk starts beside the namesake Split Rock, then heads north into open desert. Around the first third of a mile, it passes a junction with Eagle Cliff Mine Trail; climbers' paths branch into the rocks here, so stay with the marked route. Farther along, the loop crosses a wash and follows the western edge of a jumble of granite formations. The footing shifts between sand, rock and worn trail. Where the tread fades in a wash, check your offline map before taking a tempting side path.

At roughly the halfway point, a signed spur leaves the loop for Face Rock, a cliff profile that looks like a face. Walk out to the rock, then return the way you came. The nearby footpath continues toward the separate Skull Rock trail network; that continuation is not part of this loop. Route descriptions differ on whether the spur is extra mileage, but the park's 2.5-mile figure already includes the safe trip to Face Rock.

After rejoining the circuit, the trail crosses open ground and reaches a small canyon with tall pinyon pines before winding back to the picnic area. The change from exposed boulder field to the tucked-in pines is one of the walk's quieter pleasures.

There is little to no shade, and the desert heat builds quickly. Cooler months are more comfortable; avoid hiking in summer heat and carry enough water for the whole outing. Trail markers can be difficult to pick out where washes meet social paths, so save a map for offline use and keep checking it at junctions. Dogs are not permitted on the park's hiking trails.

The Split Rock picnic area is the trailhead, with auto parking, picnic tables and a restroom. Bring your own food and water; no on-route food stop is described. The namesake boulder is right at the start, so you can see the deep split even if you are not hiking the whole loop.

The route passes a series of rounded, fractured granite forms, including the named Split Rock and the face-like cliff at Face Rock. A distinct formation called the Tulip also rises above the boulder field. At Face Rock, frame the profile with some of the surrounding boulders so the scale and its resemblance are easier to see.