Cold Desert Trail
If you’re exploring the Cold Desert Trail on a July day, you may disagree with the designation of this 0.25-mile-long path. “Cold Desert,” however, is apt. The trail is located at an elevation of about 6,000 feet, and the monument itself is located in a more northern latitude. Therefore the term cold is appropriate. But the term desert is also correct. The trail is located on the lee side of the Wasatch Range and receives very little moisture. How does life adapt to such extremes? In part that’s what this hike explains. But the hike offers more. Because of a flash flood in 1999, the hike provides insights into the effects of sudden and heavy water in an area that normally receives only 6 to 8 inches of rain over the span of an entire year.
Driving Directions
We cannot find this location: please try again.
Directions to: Cold Desert Trail
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Dinosaur |
| Length | 0.25 mi |
| Skill Level | Very easy |
| Duration | 15 minutes to 1 hour |
| Season | Best in spring and fall |
| Trailhead Elevation | 6,000 ft |
REI MEMBERS: SAVE $20 on a Trails.com Subscription
Subscribe to Trails.com for just $29.95 a year and gain full access to over 49,000 professional trail guides, high-res USGS topo maps & much more!
