Western Mesa Trail

About

The Western Mesa Trail is a 6.03-mile hiking route located on the eastern edge of the rim above Rabbit Valley, just west of the Colorado-Utah border. Classified as difficult, the trail gains 1,513 feet in elevation and typically takes about four hours to complete. The route follows the rim, offering views of the surrounding area, before descending back to a doubletrack road. Access requires driving to the Westwater exit (#227) on Interstate 70. From there, proceed west on Harley Dome Road (BLM 192) for 1/4 mile and turn left onto a doubletrack. Follow this road for approximately 1.25 miles to the intersection with the Kokopelli Trail or the Overlook Trail. Parking is available at these junctions, with the Overlook Trail beginning about 800 feet past the Kokopelli intersection. Hikers can combine Western Mesa with the Arch Loop and Overlook trails to form a lollipop loop. The trailhead area is accessible to low-clearance vehicles.