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| Page Type: Route Route Type: Scramble Hike Time Required: A long day Difficulty: Class 2/4WD Moderate
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Feb 24, 2003 / Oct 15, 2006 Object ID: 157756 Hits: 956 Loading... Page Score: 86.09% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Grand Tour MapThe map above is provided for orientation purposes only. Like the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park, the complex landscape defies accurate mapping and challenges a cartographer's skills. An accurate, detailed map of Wheeler has never been made! This just makes Wheeler that much more intriguing to explore!
Route DescriptionRed numbers correspond with the pictures included on this page.
Wheeler Geologic Area is as unassuming as you can get. It is everything a national monument wouldn’t be. It’s just there. I’ve taken the liberty to design my own hike with my own “points of interest” along the way. Feel free to explore and discover Wheeler in your own way. Have fun!
Proceed north from the parking area along a good hiking trail 1/8 mile. A spur trail comes down from the left. You can go up this trail and do this hike in reverse if desired. Continuing north takes you to the Egg Rocks(1). Explore these rounded, elongated domes, some 20 feet high or continue beyond to the right of the rocks.
Not far beyond are the Water Chutes(2). Softer ash was washed away, forming rivets through which snow melt charges down the slope. The interiors of the chutes have been worn smooth and range from six inches to six feet deep.
The next point of interest is Tower Rock(3). About 20 feet high, a crop of pinnacles on top makes it look like a castle tower. Surrounding Tower Rock are rounded boulders, formed by centuries of melting snow as if they had melted into the earth. Looks like something out of Star Trek(3A).
Continue north, now on the east side of the area. Sketchy trails will beckon in a number of directions. Continue generally north, staying by the rocks and out of the forest. Some climbing up steep slopes will be required as you get up behind the Great Towers(4). These bastions of rock are visible from just about everywhere in the area, and are the largest prominent feature. Some exploring might render a perch or two from which you can peer down onto the entire area. This is an exciting, solitary spot.
Continue west along the north side of the Great Towers. You’ll eventually emerge onto a high plain of solid volcanic tuff and enter a forest of Balanced Rocks. After checking these amazing hoodoos out, head toward the southeast in front of the Great Towers. You’ll approach the mouth of a grotto that drains down the center of the Wheeler formation.
You'll discover some balanced rocks, and without much difficulty, you should discover a route of entry down into the grotto(5). Other routes taken by previous explorers may be evident. The winding possibilities are many. Getting down the grotto is tremendous fun, and a highlight of your visit. Enjoy the coolness of the shade as you study the bizarre formations above you, carved out by centuries of water and ice. With a little luck, the meager stream might be running.
At the other end of the grotto, it is possible to climb back up toward the west and regain the tuff plateau above(7). To the south, the plateau ends abruptly, its edge often lined with pinnacles. Watch your step! A great spot for pictures is called “Edge of Forever” (6). You’ll know it when you see it.
Going a bit further west will allow you access off of the tuff plateau. Use trails may be evident as they wind down steep slopes through the trees. You’ll emerge into a great amphitheater of pinnacles that mark the end of the tuff plateau(8). A log bench is nearby if you wish to sit and enjoy the silent majesty of this unique place. The slope in the amphitheater is steep, but in the middle is a large fin shaped rock called Shark Fin. Photographic opportunities abound.
From the amphitheater, a trail drops back down to the trail to the Egg Rocks (left) and the parking area (right). You’ll be lucky to cover 2 miles distance, but take your time to linger and really let the place sink in to your soul. Remember what it took to get here! It may be likely you won’t return, so get all you can out of Wheeler while you’re there!
DISTANCE: 1.79 miles (as routed and computed using Topo! mapping software).
ELEVATION GAIN: 700 feetEssential GearA dependable and versatile 4WD vehicle is mandatory. SUVs with shorter wheel bases can negotiate the Pool Table Road without difficulty. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being easy, Pool Table Road is 3.5 in difficulty.
A lengthy backpacking alternative (14 miles round trip) is the Hanson's Mill Trail.
A lightly packed daypack and plenty of water will be sufficient. Rain gear should be included, but do not go out on the rocks in wet conditions. Get off the rocks if the rain should catch you on them.
Sport climbing is discouraged on the tuff formations, however some great climbing possibilities may exist on the Great Towers. Please practice clean climbing techniques on these very special formations.
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