Long Canyon - FS 43375

Long Canyon provides an immersive and varied backcountry experience, living up to its name by offering a sustained journey through one of the range's most impressive drainages. The trail is a study in geological contrast: you will navigate through tight, narrow sections where vertical rock faces tower over the track, before emerging into expansive, sun-drenched clearings. As the trail gains elevation toward the Horse Haven Mountain area, the landscape becomes lush with tall Pinyon Pines, Utah Junipers, and a rare, stunning grove of Aspen trees that provides a brilliant splash of color in the autumn. The driving is physically engaging and technical. Drivers should be prepared for several technical washouts and sustained narrow segments where the vegetation is unmaintained. The trail features a few "shelf-road" feel sections and occasional small boulder obstacles that require careful line selection. This is a premier route for those seeking secluded camping; the canyon is dotted with several high-quality dispersed spots, including a highly coveted site within the Aspen grove. The trail eventually crests at a high-mountain junction; while the primary route veers north, the final segment of Long Canyon opens into a magnificent, broad sagebrush meadow. This upper plateau is a stronghold for wild mustangs and provides a grand finale with a spacious campsite that serves as a spectacular turnaround point with 360-degree views of the Great Basin. Navigation: At the top of the initial climb, the trail reaches a major intersection. Taking the North fork continues the Long Canyon track into the upper meadows, while the more commonly traveled route leads onto the Butler Basin Trail. Expect zero cell service for the duration of this trail. The deep canyon walls and high ridges block all signals. Download offline maps before leaving the Austin area.