This is a remote part of the original Bear's Ears National Monument. The route follows an old road which parallels the San Juan river on a large bench several hundred feet above the river and several hundred feet below the top of Cedar Mesa. Most of this primitive road is now closed to motor vehicles, although some ATVs do venture past a rockslide which is impassable to full-size vehicles. This section of the trail is actually within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is possible to do the section between John's and Slickhorn Canyons (~15 mi.) on a mountain bike. Slickhorn Canyon itself is a technically difficult hike with no trail in the lower part of the canyon. There is thick vegetation and many boulder choked sections as well as pour-offs which require backtracking and finding a way up and around the obstacle. The upper part of Slickhorn sees more traffic and most of the major tributaries have decently marked trails. Don't count on finding any water between these two canyons. There is a spring at John's Canyon, and the trail reaches the river at the mouth of Slickhorn, so if you had to, you could filter some of that muddy San Juan river water. However, I'd recommend looking for water a short distance up Slickhorn Canyon. Make sure you have enough water to make it the whole 15 miles, although you might get lucky and find some, especially if you head up one of the side canyons. You won't find much shade on this part of the route either, so be prepared for intense sun and/or heat.
I did this hike during the winter solstice (2017) so heat was not an issue.
The total hike is about 33 miles depending which tributary you choose as your exit point. I choose to exit out Slickhorn #3 as it is commonly known. I made it to within 3 or 4 miles of my vehicle in 2 solid days of intense hiking, and I was back to my vehicle by about 10:00 AM on the third day. This was a one-way shuttle supported hike.
I did this hike during the winter solstice (2017) so heat was not an issue.
The total hike is about 33 miles depending which tributary you choose as your exit point. I choose to exit out Slickhorn #3 as it is commonly known. I made it to within 3 or 4 miles of my vehicle in 2 solid days of intense hiking, and I was back to my vehicle by about 10:00 AM on the third day. This was a one-way shuttle supported hike.
Getting ready to head out. Water from John's Canyon is visible behind me.
The spring at John's Canyon
Canyon of the San Juan River
The hard part about this first day was that you could see where you were going the whole time, but it never seemed to get any closer. The dark cliff in the distance is close to where Slickhorn Canyon enters the San Juan. The "Cowboy Hat" rock is visible up on the left.
And finally, the mouth of Slickhorn Canyon, just as the sun was going down. An exhausting 15 mile hike. I camped a short distance up the canyon near a water source.
Heading up the lower part of Slickhorn on day 2.
One of the pour-offs that you either have to climb out of or go back and find a way up and around. That pool is frozen solid . . .
Moving into the upper reaches of Slickhorn the bottom of the canyon becomes sandy and more vegetated. In between bouts of bushwhacking you might find an actual trail now and then.
A heart-shaped arch!
This ruin is in the lower part of Slickhorn #3 not far from the confluence with the main branch of Slickhorn Canyon.
By the end of the second day I was pretty tired. Too tired to set up a shelter, so I just set up underneath a friendly juniper tree.
Heading back to Kayenta from Cedar Mesa, you pass through the Valley of the Gods. This is a picture of Arrowhead Spire.