North Caineville Mesa

Hikers should prepare for a "stair-master" workout as the trail climbs sharply through the grey Mancos Shale badlands and up onto the sandstone cap of the mesa. The route begins across from the historic "old cement truck" landmark and quickly transitions from soft, silty ridges to a steep, rocky scramble. Along the way, you will navigate narrow spines and tight boulder passages, including a small "talus cave" crawl just before reaching the summit. Once on top, the reward is an unparalleled 360-degree panorama of the Factory Butte badlands, the Henry Mountains, and the red rock cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park.