Moab is filled with some of the best 4×4-friendly attractions you’ll find anywhere in the world, but there’s so much more to experience outside of the driver’s seat. When Becca and I were in Moab this past Summer, we took a break from the 4×4 stuff and did some hiking to get in a little exercise and see views from areas where the 4Runner couldn’t go. Moab’s world-class rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing are also on our non-motorized bucket list, but we were short on time.
Murphy Point is located on the Island in the Sky Mesa in Canyonlands National Park and is a mile-long promontory of land jutting out to the west off of the Mesa. From what we’ve heard, the National Park service used to maintain a road to the end of Murphy Point, but in 1996 the road was closed and left as a footpath. The hike to the end of Murphy Point is 3.6 miles round-trip (up and back), and the views at the end are well worth the sweat of hiking in the desert.
Becca and I hiked Murphy Point after a night spent camping under the stars on the White Rim. Our timing for the hike was pretty terrible (middle of the day, in AUGUST), but with plenty of water, sunscreen, and energy to burn we felt safe doing it.
The hike itself does’t have much elevation and is really not that strenuous – this hike is all about the overlook at the end. It was incredible – just a fun place to take a few moments and soak in the view. While we didn’t time it right, we’ve heard that Murphy Point is one of the best places in Canyonlands to watch the sunset – so if you’re thinking about doing it, see if you can make a sunset hike part of your plans.
Just sitting here in cold Virginia, in January makes me miss Moab like crazy. In the meantime, I’ll get my desert fix at King of the Hammers next week;)
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