Hell Dive Canyon Loop

The Hell Dive Canyon is a scenic and challenging loop trail in the Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area, which accesses an overlook at the head of Hell Dive Canyon at the end of the primary spur. From there, you can hike to the site of the Hell Dive Pictographs in an alcove called Medicine Man Cave down in the canyon bottom.

The trail starts at a staging area off Hancock Road just east of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It starts easy and sandy, following BLM 50 along the base of the sand dunes, traveling past a steep sand hill and a more gradually sloping road that serves as entry/exit points to the open riding area on the dunes. The trail gradually gets harder and rockier after it passes the junction with the Indian Canyon Road, where the road number changes to BLM 51, and then climbs onto the ridge above Hell Dive Canyon. Near the loop's apex, you'll pass a legal spur on state land that goes out to an overlook of Coral Pink Sand Dunes and a second spur out to Ed Lamb Point that is legally closed to vehicles even though not signed as such. Turn right at the next junction to stay on BLM 51, the main spur out to the overlook of Hell Dive Canyon. This spur is mostly rutted sand with small rock obstacles.

Returning to the junction at the beginning of the overlook spur, turn right on BLM 52 to complete the loop. This section is the hardest part of the trail as it descends into Water Canyon and climbs out the other side. Several large ledge obstacles must be navigated while crossing the wash, though they are not significantly more difficult than those found on the rest of the trail.

Camping is technically allowed along this trail but not recommended as it is mostly within a Wilderness Study Area, and no established campsites exist.