Last Chance Canyon Trail (T.226)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Swimming · Views

From its eastern trailhead, T.226 begins as a well maintained, easy-to-follow path with inclines averaging 10% or less (except at the very beginning) along the first 3.0 miles. Then, after crossing the canyon's rock-strewn, dry stream bed, the trail becomes steep for a short distance but the trail is still maintained.

For the next 0.5 miles, runners will enjoy splendid canyon views which open up as the path winds across a steep slope just above a high, vertical canyon wall and boulder-filled, deep canyon bottom. The path becomes faint for the next 0.6 mile as it follows along the edge of the slickrock canyon bottom, or just above it. At one location, a very narrow trail climbs and descends in 0.1 mile, with a very steep grade.

Unexpectedly, several pumping systems appear. It is like an outdoor “museum,” depicting improvements in water-pumping technology spanning many decades. From here, and for its last 1.2 miles, the trail is in reasonably good shape and angles up the relatively steep canyon slope to the upper trailhead.