Onion Creek into Rose Garden Hill into Top Of The World
Trail Length: 10.6 miles
Low-End Rating: 2
High-End Rating: 3
This trail promises to get you wet and muddy, but it's worth it for the spectacular views. It starts from Highway 128 and snakes around next to the Richardson Ampitheater, and the scenery is very nice.
Most of the trail is a wide dirt road, though some sections may be washed out and difficult. You cross the creek many times, making it difficult to not get muddy.
Richardson Ampitheater is a large open area between the mesas. It is green and lush, which is a nice contrast next to the red mesas and hills of many different colors.
Watch for the Totem Pole on your right, a 300-foot tall spire of rock. You will also pass by Stinking Spring, a natural spring that does not smell very good at all.
At 9.6 miles there is a left turn marked with a sign to the Kokopelli Trail. This trail is largely for bicycles and is just under 150 miles long. It overlaps with a few vehicle trails and roads along its route, including here. This is also the turn for the Rose Garden Hill trail.
The trail ends soon after the turn to Rose Garden Hill. Just before the end there are signs marking the way to Thompson Canyon. You can take Thompson Canyon and Polar Mesa for a scenic drive out that isn't too difficult.
This is a great trail for nearly any vehicle and a fantastic way to take in the Moab scenery near Arches National Park.