Lower Red Lake Canyon leads westward from Devils Lane, through the Grabens and down Red Lake Canyon to the Colorado River. The route is nearly five miles long and descends 1,400 feet into Cataract Canyon. The Colorado River is the only water source along this trail. Backcountry camping sites are available along Lower Red Lake Canyon Trail. A permit is necessary to camp in this area.
Begin this hike from Elephant Hill Road one mile west of Devils Kitchen Camp. The trail begins by leading west over slickrock to a trail junction one mile west of the trailhead. The route leading northward, right, is the Cyclone Canyon Trail. It leads through that canyon for nearly two miles to meet the Confluence Overlook Trail.
Continuing westward from Cyclone Canyon Trail, the Red Lake Canyon Trail crosses the Grabens then turns sharply northward to enter Red Lake Canyon. The track crosses the drainage then ascends 160 feet, crosses the southern bank of the drainage and begins to descend. Approximately two miles west of Cyclone Canyon the trail begins to switchback to the canyon floor. Descending 720 feet via switchbacks the track reaches the floor of the drainage and begins to descend more slowly. It follows the canyon bottom for two more miles to the Colorado River.
Directions: From Elephant Hill Four-Wheel Drive Road, Pass the Elephant Hill Trailhead driving northwestward then southward 4.5 miles to the Lower Red Lake Canyon Trailhead.
This trail leads five miles westward through a narrow canyon and the Grabens to reach Cataract Canyon of the Colorado River.
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