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River Side Hike · Cataract Canyon

Loop Hike

A slickrock loop above the Colorado River in upper Cataract Canyon — one of the few loop hikes accessible from a river camp in this stretch.

Also known as: Lathrop Canyon Loop

The Loop Hike at mile 11 of Cataract Canyon is a circuit route departing from the Colorado River near the upper section and climbing into the canyon bench country above the river. The hike loops through the Canyonlands landscape — Cedar Mesa slickrock, bench drainages, and canyon overlooks — before returning to the river. It is one of the few loop configurations accessible from a river camp in this stretch, and it offers a transition from the river canyon floor to the plateau character above. Distances and specific waypoints vary by group itinerary; the core loop is typically 3–5 miles with moderate route-finding on slickrock.