Paria Plateau ~ Tooth Rock ~ Grand Canyon Views
Route Overview
Powell’s Monument is a real deal 4×4 adventure on the remote Paria Plateau with incredible views of Page, Lake Powell, the Vermilion Cliffs, the Grand Staircase, and the Grand Canyon. The terrain is ultra fun to drive and the route finding will challenge you every step of the way.
Type of Road: 4×4 only
Length: 50 Miles round trip (Not including House Rock Rd)
Difficulty: 4×4 Truck = Difficult ~ Side by Side = Difficult
!WARNING! Although the terrain on the Paria Plateau is mostly moderate for most 4×4 drivers, route finding can be very difficult. The roads go in random directions and it is easy to get lost. Running out of fuel is a major concern.
Terrain: Very Soft Sand, Minor Rock Crawling
Destination: A prominent sandstone formation on the edge of the Paria Plateau.
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Directions to the Road
~ For access from the north end:
Turn onto House Rock Valley from Hwy 89 at about mile post 25 on a huge sweeping curve at the top of a steep grade through a large cut in the cliff, there will be a green sign marking the road from both directions. Drive 20 miles on House Rock Valley Road past the turn off to Paw Hole/Lone Tree Trailhead to the turn off on Pine Tree Road. There will be a large cattle corral across from the turn off. Drive 6.2 miles on a maintained gravel road to Pine Tree Pocket Ranch. There are three ways main that you can approach Powell’s Monument; The North route using Big Sink Rd, the Middle using Pinnacle Valley Road and the South route using Joe’s Tank Road. All three routes are about the same distance and time. Then there are also several ways to get there by linking less traveled minor two tracks together which can be very enjoyable. There are so many alternatives that a written description of the directions would be entirely too tedious.
~ For access from the South end:
Turn on to House Rock Valley Rd off of 89A onto House Rock Valley Rd at mile post 565.5. There will be a ranch house on your left and a corrals/barn on your right when you make the turn. Drive for 9.5 miles to the Pine Tree Road turn off. There will be a large cattle corral across from the turn off. Drive 6.2 miles on a maintained gravel road to Pine Tree Pocket Ranch. (See description above.)
Powell’s Monument Drive Description
An absolutely epic adventure to an absolutely epic destination! Powell’s Monument sits on the edge of the Vermillion Cliffs on the Paria Plateau two thousand feet above Navajo Bridge and the town of Marble Canyon. From this vantage point, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Page, Arizona, Lake Powell, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the east. To the south, the Grand Canyon and Kaibab Plateau stretch out, and on a clear day, you can see over a hundred miles to the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. The Paria Plateau is renowned for its stunning technicolor sandstone formations, towering cliffs, and the remnants of historic, abandoned cattle ranches. Its most striking features however, are its dramatic edges: to the south, the sheer, 2,000-foot-tall Vermilion Cliffs, and to the north, the slot canyons of the Paria River Gorge.
The Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is remote and wild. The deep sand can be challenging to drive but it’s the route finding that can be the crux of any excursion and that is definitely true for the Powell’s Monument Route. The roads on the plateau appear to wind aimlessly, and the landscape often looks similar, which can easily discombobulate even the most savvy navigators. Therefore, having a good map is essential. You can find a cell signal on the edges of the plateau but a vast majority of the interior has no cell service. A RESCUE IS A LONG WAYS AWAY!! Bring appropriate self recue equipment and provisions. Prepare for the possibility of getting stuck or broken. It could be days before you see another human being up there.
There are many roads that lead to the Monument. I have mapped out a few of the more well-traveled routes, but they are not the only options available. Each route offers great places to explore along the way. Sandstone formations known as “Brain Rock” or “Turtle Backs” decorate the journey and provide perfect spots to stretch your legs and take some pictures. Windmills, rustic corrals, and rickety old cowboy cabins invite you to stop and explore the remnants of days gone by, while you imagine what it was like to live in such a remote and harsh locale. Powell’s Monument and its adjacent sister spire rise from the plateau, serving as a waypoint visible from a hundred miles away. It is an unmistakable landmark that you can easily spot from afar when you return to town.
Once You Get There
~ The Cleft: This chasm will be the first thing to greet you as you approach the monument. This is a great spot to stop for a quick gander into the abyss or a fabulous place to set up camp for the night.
Neapolitan Basin and Monument View Overlook: Park at a Game and Fish trick tank on the right side of the road, about 0.6 miles past The Cleft. A short quarter-mile hike will lead you to Neapolitan Basin, named for its resemblance to the ice cream. In this beautiful basin, swirling with pink, orange, cream, and chocolate hues, you’ll find Dr. Seuss-like rock formations called hoodoos and intriguing little arches. If you hike a bit further, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking, vertigo-inducing views of the Vermilion Cliffs.
Sister Spire and Tooth Rock Overlook: On the southwest side of this outcropping, a small petroglyph panel offers a fun 200-yard stroll. This can be combined with the Tooth Rock Overlook hike for a longer excursion. Expect about a one-mile loop hike over moderate terrain. The vista points at Tooth Rock are spectacular and well worth the effort. Keep an eye out for Big Horn Sheep. There is a camping spot at the base of Sister Spire.
~ Tooth Rock: This formation is one of the largest free standing spires in North America. It is mind boggling to imagine the several rock climbing routes that ascend the sheer walls of this remote behemoth.
~ Powell’s Monument: There is no easy way to the top but there is a rock climbing route that ascends the north side of mesa for those who are equipped to tackle the challenge. The route is rated 5.4 and should only be attempted by experienced climbers.
Camp Overlook: About a mile past the Sister Spire there is an awesome spot on the edge of the plateau for a camp that overlooks the Grand Canyon.
