Squaw Canyon / Lost Canyon loop trail

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The Squaw-Lost Canyon loop trail in the park travels through the rocky, lush Squaw Flat before winding down through the lush, fern-filled Lost Creek. The loop begins at Squaw Flat Trailhead A and splits at the mouth of Squaw Canyon. The Lost Canyon trail climbs a short slickrock section before descending into the narrow sandstone canyon. At the end of the loop, the trail returns to the beginning.

Squaw Canyon is a wide, narrow gorge with a large variety of vegetation, including big sagebrush, cottonwood trees, and willows. The northeast-bearing canyon is also home to mushroom-shaped knobs. The trail’s easy-to-follow cairns mark the route. The final stretch to Lost Canyon is approximately 1.5 miles and features views of the Needles, Big Spring Canyon, and the sandstone walls of Bryce Canyon.

The descent begins by crossing a slickrock ridge. While there’s one notch on the left that’s too steep to cross, the second gully offers a safer descent. Once at a flat, the slickrock gives way to sand. A right turn leads to Elephant Canyon, and a left turn continues the descent. At the end of the loop, there’s a scenic viewpoint of Big Spring Canyon, with the famous North Six Shooter Peak rising to the east.

The Squaw-Lost Canyon loop trail begins from Squaw Flat Campground and heads southeast. After a short distance, it crosses the narrow rim between Lost and Squaw Canyons. The trail then drops into the secluded, slick-rock canyon. The trail then loops back and intersects with the Squaw Canyon loop trail. This route is one of the most scenic trails in the park.

The Squaw Canyon/Lost-Canyon Loop is 8.9 miles long and a moderately difficult hike. It climbs 800 feet in elevation over two days. Generally, this hike takes between three to five hours. For those interested in seeing the Needles, the loop takes about four to five hours to complete. You can spend as much as two or three days hiking the canyons.

Squaw and Lost Canyons are major west-side tributaries of Salt Creek. They’re both dominated by red rock and white rock. The Squaw is narrower, but Lost is deeper. You can’t miss the city-like spires in the west as you hike. And remember to bring a bottle of water, as water in this park can be hard to find.

From the saddle, the Lost Canyon trail begins its descent. The trail follows a wide bench towards the east before descending to the bottom of the canyon. As you continue down the canyon, you’ll come across a short ladder and begin descending. You’ll reach the main drainage of Lost Canyon, which you’ll cross at a junction. After the descent, you’ll arrive at a trailhead.