Short Loop Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
There is no shade and no water anywhere on this trail. Carry at least two liters per person — dehydration sneaks up fast in dry desert air, even on mild days.
The washes are flash flood channels. If there's any rain in the forecast — even distant storms — skip this hike. Water funnels through these ravines with zero warning.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The wash crossings can obscure the trail — download the route to your phone beforehand and keep an eye on cairns, especially in the middle section where sandy washes branch in multiple directions.
Start by 7 a.m. in spring or fall to finish before the sun turns this into a convection oven. There's zero shade on most of the loop, so a sun hoodie beats sunscreen for the long game.
The ravine sections about two miles in have the best light for photography in late afternoon — the low sun catches the desert varnish and turns the rock walls amber. Most people hike this clockwise, so going counter-clockwise gives you those ravines in golden hour.
