Lower Hackberry Canyon

Lower Hackberry Canyon is most easily accessed from the southern end of the signed Cottonwood Road, around mile marker 18 on Highway 89 between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ. The unsigned parking lot will be about 14.5 miles up the road on the left. The canyon access is quite obvious from the parking lot. 

Hackberry Canyon can be completed as a 21-mile overnight shuttle. However, the following is a description of the an out-and-back day hike of Lower Hackberry. 

My first experience hiking in Lower Hackberry Canyon is one that I'll always remember. It was January of 2012, and Hackberry Creek was completely covered with a thin sheet of ice. In some areas, this ice could be bypassed, but in others, it was necessary to traverse in order to continue. On occasion, my foot broke through the ice, making an eerie cracking sound that echoed throughout the canyon. Luckily, the water was shallow enough that I didn't feel like I was in any danger. The canyon walls in Lower Hackberry are towering and impressive, although fairly wide in most areas. 

Best of all, I had the canyon all to myself on this particular day. I was always amazed how often I found myself (or my group) alone while exploring some of the best scenery in Southern Utah. Not that I'm complaining; there is nothing quite like solitude in a special place.

I rarely take selfies, but when you're alone, sometimes you have to prove that YOU were actually there!

The frozen creek:

There is something especially magical about the desert during the winter. Perhaps the best thing about exploring is going back to a place many times, and seeing something entirely different with each season. If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking out Lower Hackberry. I doubt you'll be disappointed.