Notch Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The ledge walk has genuine exposure with no railings and a significant drop — this is not a trail for anyone uncomfortable with heights or for unsupervised young children.
The log ladder becomes dangerously slick when wet. After any rain, the rungs hold moisture for hours. If the wood looks dark and damp, seriously consider turning back.
Summer afternoon temperatures on the exposed rock can exceed what the air temperature suggests — the canyon walls radiate heat. Carry more water than you think a mile-and-a-half hike requires.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start early morning or late afternoon — the canyon walls throw deep shadows that make the log ladder less intimidating, and the overlook light at golden hour turns the valley formations into something worth framing.
Wear boots with actual grip, not trail runners. The log ladder rungs get slick with dust, and the ledge traverse has loose gravel on smooth rock — one section in particular angles slightly outward.
Most hikers turn around at the overlook, but if you walk the ledge another hundred yards past where the crowds stop, you get an unobstructed view down-canyon that photographs better than the main viewpoint.