Goblin valley getaway

[Tonkaman]

I'm heading down down to Goblin Valley this weekend on a last minute adventure with my grandma. She is an avid hiker but has never explored that particular area. We also plan to hike some slot canyons in the area, possibly crack canyon or little wild horse into bell canyon.
I need to know how much time I should plan to spend directly in Goblin Valley state park and how long to plan on the hikes. Any input would really help me make an agenda, thanks.

 

[RockMonkey]

One full day in Goblin Valley itself should be sufficient.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I get bored after about 20 min in goblin valley state park. Little Wildhorse, Bell, Ding, and Dang are all outside of the park (which means they're free). The little wildhorse hike to bell is a nice one. I believe it's about 8 miles. Plan on 4-6 hours or so at a leisurely pace. The ranger station has maps of the trails.

I would avoid Ding and Dang with your grandma.

 

[Rot Box]

There's a really fun trail that makes a loop in Goblin with slot canyons and ledges but I have no idea how to get to it... Found it by accident.

 

[sixstringsteve]

was it dirt or rock? I did one from the main parking lot to the valley of the goblins. It was a dirt slot that was kind of fun.

 

[Tonkaman]

Of all those hikes which ones are the most scenic? I'm not worried about grandma, she is 79 and still hiked Kilimanjaro last year!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I vote Little Wildhorse and Bell for most scenic. You'll both love this trail.

Ding & Dang are my favorites to hike, but last time I hiked them we had to swim for about 20 feet. I also forgot my rope and we almost got stuck in the canyon in a spot we couldn't get out. It could have gotten ugly fast. Definitely not something you'd want to take a 1st time canyoneerrer down.

 

[Tonkaman]

Good call on Ding and Dang I didn't know it was more canyoneering

 

[roverrocks]

If you keep driving west past the trailhead parking for Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons there is an interesting easy road/4x4 trail leading south down Little Wild Horse Canyon, up and over Little Wild Horse Mesa, and down to what used to be a "ford" on Muddy Creek. Interesting area with lots of interesting ancient shells covering the ground around Hunt Draw a couple of miles from the "ford" plus an interesting abandoned homestead. The blasted BLM in all their wisdom has closed the Muddy Creek Ford here. That is what I found last spring. One used to be able to cross the Muddy and continue south to Hy 24. Still an interesting out and back road to Muddy Creek and the homestead with an interesting fireplace.

 

[Tonkaman]

Great info thanks. I actually ended up taking the car this trip so ill have to explore that road on the next venture