Canyonlands – Peekaboo Trail and Lost Canyon Loop

April 17th 2017

In April of 2017, I drove to Utah and joined my hiking club at Squaw Flats Campground. A couple members of the club attempt to get the group site there every year and I wanted to check it out for my self this year. I was not disappointed.

The first hike I did was right out of camp and was called the Peekaboo Trail. The trail follows along some benches and there are several holes in the top of one bench that are windows or peekaboos, thus the name Peekaboo Trail. There are a few ladders you have to climb to get to the end of the trail which ends at Peekaboo Camp where there are several petroglyphs.

On the return hike, I took the Lost Canyon Trail to make a loop out of it. I was glad to take the Lost Canyon trail on the return. I always enjoy making a loop out of a hike if possible so I can see more terrain, however, taking Lost Canyon made the hike longer and I realized that hiking in the canyon bottom that there was not much of a breeze and it got a little warm. Not too horrible though. It was only April after all. I would not want to hike here in summer, that is for sure.

The Peekaboo Trail
Driving into Canyonlands Needles District
The view from the rock above our group camp site at Squaw Flat Campground.
Cactus in bloom
Another camper watching the sunset from the rock above our camp site.
The start of the Peekaboo Trail from Squaw Flat Campground
Hiking in Canyonlands for the first time. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Lot of wide open roaming, but you'll be better served to follow the cairns.
Some sections would be impassible without ladders or rope-work.
First ladder
Peekaboo Trail
Cactus in bloom
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
I was surprised to see as many flowers as I did.
Just follow the cairns. Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
The majority of the Peekaboo Trail follows along near the top of this bench. Just follow the cairns.
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail. If you look close, you can see a couple people hiking. They are near the center on the image.
Couple of hikers just left of center of this image.
The first peekaboo.
Another peekaboo.
Just follow the cairns. Lasalle Mts in the distance
More peekaboos
Ancient granary on the Peekaboo Trail
Ancient granary on the Peekaboo Trail
Peekaboo Trail
Blooming cactus
Petroglyphs at my turn around for the day at Peekaboo camp
Petroglyphs at my turn around for the day at Peekaboo camp
More blooming cactus
This was an interesting climb. The crevice was pretty narrow and the ladder was leaning quite a bit.
Instead of a simple out and back, I decided to hike through the Lost Canyon on my hike out to make a loop.
I was surprised to see water in Lost Canyon.
I was surprised to see water in Lost Canyon.
Figured I might as well take advantage of it since it was here.
I was surprised to see water in Lost Canyon.
Lizards were the only fauna seen
Lost Canyon Trail
Lost Canyon Trail
Lost Canyon Trail

13.15 miles

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