Type of trail: An out-and-back self-guided nature trail
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation change: 100 feet
Hiking time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Maps: Harpers Corner Trail Guide, available in visitor centers or at the trailhead; National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map #220
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting point: The trailhead is located at the end of Harpers Corner Scenic Drive. Harpers Corner Scenic Drive begins at the Canyon Visitor Center (Colorado), 25 miles east of Jensen, Utah, on U.S. Highway 40.
The Hike
You’ll want sturdy shoes and extra water for this hike. For those who enjoy up-close and personal natural dramas, ones that have allowed geologists and botanists to unlock mysteries of the past, Harpers Corner may satisfy that urge.
As you begin your hike, you might start with a puzzle. Begin by questioning the presence of the reddish rocks along the trail. How did they get here?
The rock is a type of sandstone, and if you examine one you’ll see it is composed of a fine sand that pressure has compacted into a solid piece. Despite its compact appearance, if you tapped it with a light hammer, the rock would crack apart, revealing a sandlike consistency.
