Overview

A number of nice trails have become established in the Red Rock Canyon Campground Area. The Campground Middle Hill Loop Trail (1.5 miles round trip) runs west from the public trailhead atop cliffs overlooking Red Rock Wash. At a side-canyon, the trail turns south and climbs gently to a trail junction on Middle Hill. The trail then turns back to the east and descends off Middle Hill onto the desert flats below and returns to the trailhead. The trail climbs, but is never steep, and provides broad expansive views. After hiking this loop, visitors might consider hiking one of the other short or long loops in the campground area.

This hike is nice because it is close to town and not on the Scenic Loop Drive. This makes it free, a quick little get away from town, and it minimizes time driving to and from the trailhead.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is about as safe as hiking in the desert can be, but don't get too close to the edge of the bluffs overlooking Red Rock Wash because the edge is unstable.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and please try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short and close to civilization, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Note that bicycles are not allowed in this area, dogs on-leash are okay, and be sure to pick up your dog poop.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes from town, but not on the Scenic Loop Road. Drive out West Charleston Blvd to Moenkopi Road and turn left towards Red Rock Campground.

For non-campers, drive south on Moenkopi Road about 0.3 miles to Moenkopi Road Trailhead (Moenkopi Road Recreation Site parking area). Park here; this is the trailhead.

For campers, continue south into the campground, park at your campsite, then walk out into the desert and pick up the trails.

The Hike

From the trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01), two trails runs west across a flat, sparsely vegetated area. The Middle Hill Loop Trail can start on either trail, but as described here, the hike takes the right trail.

Continuing across nearly flat desert terrain on the right trail, hikers soon arrive at an old road (Wpt. 02) that cuts diagonally (SE-NW) across the trail. The Middle Hill Loop Trail cuts across the old road and continues west atop a cliff overlooking Red Rock Wash. The old road drop over the cliffs into Red Rock Wash (Wash Loop Trail).

Staying atop the cliffs, the Middle Hill Loop Trail continues west and shortly becomes well defined as it follows an old two-track road with some nice views to the north and west.

Through here, the vegetation is typical Mojave Desert Scrub habitat type with lots of creosote bush and white bursage, plus Mojave yucca, Eastern Joshua trees, Nevada ephedra, spiny menodora, and galleta grass. Also watch for beavertail cactus and cottontop cactus.

The old road eventually bends left to head more due south. Shortly after the bend, the old road ends and a regular trail continues. The trail passes a junction (Wpt. 05) with the Campground Wash Loop Trail (on the right) and continues heading uphill to the south.

At about 0.79 miles out, the Middle Hill Loop Trail reaches a junction (Wpt. 06) with the other trail that departed the trailhead westbound.

Turning left to head east and downhill, hikers get grand views to the north and east, not to mention nice view west of the colorful Blue Diamond Hill eastern escarpment.

The trail descends eastward with nice views, including overlook the BLM Fire Station compound to the southeast. Eventually, the trails descends steeply off the toe of Middle Hill onto desert flats below.

Before long, vehicles at the trailhead come into view as hikers return to the trailhead (Wpt. 01).