Fisher Towers Viewpoint

[Rozella Dibley]

Composedof Cutler Sandstone topped Moenkopi towers, the Fisher Towers near Moab is an amazing area of some of the tallest freestanding towers in North America. The Titan, the largest of the towers in Fisher Towers, is the largest freestanding tower in the United States, and proved quite an endeavor when first climbed in the early 1960's by Layton Kor. The team (Layton Kor, Huntley Ingalls, and George Hurley) took four days to reach the summit, with Layton leading every pitch. Given the gear and rock quality, it was an amazing feat in the day, and a trip up the Titan is still a worthy goal for most aid climbers. Today most of the major towers in the area have climbing routes up them, though virtually all require solid skills, and desert choss experience. This is not a place for beginning climbers.

Non-climbers will love a visit to the Fisher Towers area as well. A scenic trail winds its way out to a viewpoint, meandering by many impressive towers and formations along the way. The towers and unusual erosional features make for a photographers delight, and this is a hike I would recommend to most. High summer can be brutally hot and not recommended, though sunrise and sunset times in the summer can offer some great photo opportunities and reasonable temperatures.

There is a small (5 site) campground at the trailhead. (first come, first serve) It often fills in spring and fall weekends, but other times of the year, offers good camping. No water available, but there is a pit toilet.

Head north out of Moab a couple of miles to State Highway 128 (just before the Colorado River). Follow highway 128 about 21 miles to a signed turn off on the right. Follow the good dirt road 2.2 miles to it's end at a small campground and parking lot.

From the trailhead, follow the signed and well marked trail. It meanders down, across a wash, and up the other side, then rounds a large tower on the left. This tower is Ancient Art, by far the most climbed of the towers in Fisher Towers. The climb ascends a chimney before crossing a narrow ridge to a final airy summit the size of a chair hundreds of feet off the ground. You are very likely to see climbers here during moderate weather. A small tower at the base, the Cobra, was a climbing attraction for years but fell down in 2014 due to erosion and serves as an example of the ever changing nature of Fisher Towers.

This spectacular route along the Colorado River gorge begins at the Colorado River Bridge on the north end of Moab. Spending a day exploring this section of the river gorge will provide you with jaw dropping scenery and take you to the sixth-longest natural rock span in the United States, world famous movie locations, beautiful picnic and bouldering areas, a Film Heritage Museum, a large variety of hiking trails including one that goes to the breathtaking Fisher Towers, historical points of interest, guided horseback riding opportunities, outdoor dining, a brand new mercantile (opening in 2020) and a ghost town.

The highway was originally constructed to connect rural cities in eastern Utah with Grand Junction, Colorado, the largest city in the region. Part of the highway was merged into the Utah state highway system in 1931; the rest was taken over by the state and assigned route number 128 in 1933. Today, the highway is used as a scenic drive for visitors to the area.

The highway crosses the Colorado River at the site of the Dewey Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This bridge was the longest suspension bridge in Utah until April 2008 when it was destroyed by a fire.

Continuing down U-128, the drive parallels the Colorado River within a narrow section of the Colorado River gorge, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding red sandstone cliffs. Popular attractions along this portion of the route include viewpoints of the river, public camping areas, and Grandstaff Canyon, which contains a delightful hiking trail to Morning Glory Natural Bridge.

At 13 miles (20.9 km) the gorge widens as the highway proceeds past Castle and Professor Valleys, which have been the shooting locations for many western films including Wagon Master and Rio Grande, along with numerous television commercials.

From the parking area, follow the trail which is relatively flat and easy. The trail will cross a dry wash several times before it begins to ascend a bench on the right. The trail weaves along this bench gradually ascending. The rock formations include the Preacher, The Nuns, Rectory and Castleton Tower. Once the trail passes the foot of Castleton Tower, it will begin to descend slightly.

When you reach a dirt 44 road, the Sylvester Trail ends and you return the way you came. 6.9 miles (11.1 km) round-trip. (The trail is shared with equestrian users and there is no shade, so avoid on hot days.)

Turn right on the well graded dirt road, then travel 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the trailhead. The Fisher Towers trail is a world class experience. The views of Castle Rock and the shear sandstone cliffs of the Colorado River are stunning. This is an out and back hike will take you by 3 amazing formations, The Kingfisher, Echo Tower and The Titan. This area is popular with rock climbers so keep an eye up on the rocks. The trail descends into the canyons in several places which brings the overall elevation gain to about 1000 feet. The best picture taking time is probably when the afternoon sun is looking over your shoulder at the towers but alas that is also the most unforgiving time on a hot summer day so be sure to bring plenty of water.

This is a foray into the heart of the Richardson Amphitheater, near the Colorado River, in an area of beautiful rock formations. The Amphitheater Loop Trail is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from the Fisher Towers Trailhead and both trails can be walked in a single day. The Amphitheater Loop Trail makes a lovely walk, and climbs approximately 250 feet in elevation to afford a stunning view of the Colorado River corridor. Along the way, you can see interesting sandstone formations in the Moenkopi and Cutler sandstone layers.

On the day of its completion, it was the second-longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi River. The longest was the Cameron Suspension Bridge, also built by the Midland Bridge Company, who used the same base plans for both bridges. Dewey Bridge remained the longest suspension bridge in Utah until it was destroyed by fire in 2008. The remains of the bridge and a historical marker remain on the site.

Located just west of Moab along the Potash Road, the short hike to Corona and Bowtie Arch follows a clearly marked slickrock trail to the spectacular, partly free-standing arches. Aided by ladders bolted to the rock and cables where the trail steepens, Corona and Bowtie Arch are particularly good treks for children or beginner hikers in search of photogenic arches near Moab.

Following a single-track trail to a viewpoint overlooking the Fisher Towers, this trail offers visitors a glimpse of the geologic diversity of Utah canyon country. Composed of dark red Cutler and Moenk sandstone, the Fisher Towers are a soaring sight of fins, spires and jaggedly cut rock formations shaped by erosion. This instagrammable trail winds through the towers themselves, giving hikers an up-close look of the dramatic structures and, on occasion, rock climbers ascending the red rock formations.

Trailing an active stream bed into a gradually narrowing canyon, the Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail is among one of the best dog-friendly hikes near Arches National Park, culminating at a double-spouted waterfall with numerous creek crossings along the way.

Potash Road, beginning just four miles north of Moab, where it diverges from Highway 191, offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. Winding alongside the Colorado River through a deep gorge, the drive offers breathtaking river views, ancient petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and the dramatic faces of sandstone cliffs. Highlights include the view of rock climbers on the cliffs at Wall Street and the iconic Jug Handle Arch. The route concludes near the Potash Plant, at the junction with Shafer Trail, offering further exploration for off-road enthusiasts equipped with a 4x4 vehicle.

Starting at the Colorado River Bridge on Moab's northern edge, the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway carves a 44-mile path through the Colorado River gorge. It closely follows the river for the initial 13 miles, showcasing stunning red sandstone cliffs and offering access to key sites like Grandstaff Canyon and the Morning Glory Natural Bridge hike. The gorge then opens to reveal the cinematic landscapes of Castle and Professor Valleys, known for their roles in films like Wagon Master and Rio Grande. A highlight at mile 24.7 is the Fisher Towers viewpoint, where the towers' red rock spires starkly contrast with the La Sal Mountains. Beyond, the route passes the historic Dewey Bridge, meanders along the river's northern bank, and then stretches across the desert to Cisco (a ghost town with a rich railroad history) before connecting with Interstate 70.

The La Sal Mountain Loop Road ascends the alpine ridges of the La Sal Mountains and the sandstone pinnacles of Castle Rock. This Moab scenic drive contrasts the desert's iconic red rocks with lush forests, meadows, and towering peaks. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Moab Valley and distant glimpses of Arches National Park, with several mountain trailheads inviting further exploration. Beginning about eight miles south of Moab off US-191, the paved route circles through the mountains to Castle Valley and down to SR 128, following the Colorado River back to Moab. Note: There are no services along this route, so come prepared with enough gas, food, and water for your adventure.

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