Crater Hill to Upper Coalpits Wash
Description: A short trail that leads from Crater Hill to Coalpits Spring.
Distance: 2.1 Miles One-Way to the Coalpits Spring
Difficulty: Moderate
Highest Elevation: 4,400 Feet Above Sea Level
Jurisdiction: Zion National Park
The trailhead for this short trail is located about a mile and a half to the east of Virgin, Utah. To find the Crater Hill Trailhead from the main Zion Visitor Center by Springdale, follow these directions:
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Drive west on Utah Highway 9 for 13.6 miles.
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Turn right onto a dirt road called Dalton Wash. This dirt road is rather rough and is best done with a high clearance vehicle. If it has recently snowed or rained, you will need 4-Wheel drive.
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Drive 1.7 Miles until you get to a fork in the road and take the left fork.
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Drive 2.8 miles to the parking area where you will also see a gate made for hikers.
The Crater Hill trail drops you down about 300 feet , mostly through a dry wash. There are some areas of the trail that will require some climbing over boulders that are about 15 feet tall, and other areas where you will need to go through heavy brush. A fair amount of this hike is on private land so it is important to be generally respectful of the land, as you also should be regardless. The Crater Hill trail offers an alternative, less frequently used route to Coalpits Springs and The Chinle Trail. At the point where you intersect with the Chinle Trail, you have the option of either following the Chinle Trail up or down Coalpits Wash. At this intersection, Coalpits Spring, a 4 foot waterfall with plenty of cottonwood trees around it for shade, is only a few minutes away downstream.
