Type: Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 3 / 10
Altitude: 5,220 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 252 ft / 252 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes
Jog-Stroller Friendly: No
Filed Under: Cycling, Hiking, Running
This short loop circumnavigates the prominent Round Mountain in the Castle Valley. Round Mountain is a geographic oddity in this land of sandstone as it was formed by a igneous intrusion long ago and what remains is a round plug of rock sticking up in a wide desert valley.
The start is not much more than a non-descript wide spot in the road just as you pass by Round Mountain while driving in on Porcupine Canyon Road. You can run either direction, but I suggest running counterclockwise as it is a bit easier and gives you better views of the Castleton Tower, Priest and Nuns, and the Parroiott Mesa.
Start by running back down the road you drove in for about .9 miles. Look for a faint trail that turns off left into the desert. As you take it a few hundred yards, it becomes more obvious.
It is hard to get lost. Basically, just follow the doubletrack around the back side of Round Mountain. On the southwest side you the trail follows an dry wash and then up and over a few hills on the south flank of the mountain. It will eventually dump you out on the road right next to your car.
This is a nice short desert run that has wide open views of the Castle Valley and Porcupine Rim.
Take Scenic Byway 128 out of Moab for about 10 miles (northeast). The highway follows the Colorado River almost the entire time. Approximately 1.5 miles after passing Big Bend you will come to the Castle Valley. Turn Right onto Porcupine Valley Road. This road will climb a few hundred feet during the first few miles and then level out with great views of Parroiott Meas and The Castle Towers. Take this road for a total of 6 miles to a small non-descript pulloff (right) just past Round Mountain. Park here and start your run.
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