Wayne's Way Trail

Wayne's Way is a 1.2 mile loop trail within Cattail Cove State Park of easy/moderate difficulty.The path begins at the far end of the park's upper parking lot, sharing the trailhead with a couple other trails. However the Wayne's Way route is clearly signed, heading into the mountainous interior and making a quick left turn as it heads up a soft sandy wash. Footing here is slow as the sand makes the hike a little more effortful, though at about a half mile in, a sign marks the fork where Wayne's Way leaves the sand and heads up into the arid hills.In the higher landscapes, the hike becomes nicer, with views of the colorful sandstone landscape stretching to quick glances of the Colorado River in the distance. While the Wayne's Way route never actually reaches the water, hikers can combine this hike with a portion of the McKinney Loop Trail to head over the river's edge on the return to the main park area.From the high point of the hike - about 220' in elevation above the trailhead - the route curves back toward Cattail Cove and begins a descent, ending in a short steep slope to return to the wash and trailhead.At 1.2 miles, the section of trail in the sandy wash is the only harder stretch. Hikers should be aware that there is no water and no shade located along the trail. Water and bathrooms are available at the main beach/campground area of the park.Wayne's Way Trail lies inside Cattail Cove State Park, and is subject to all park rules, including open hours and entrance fees.