Matt Fereday

Matt Fereday

Hike Coal Mine Canyon

03/15/17

I lived in Tuba City for 6 months as a Mormon missionary and went to Coal Mine canyon a few times. It's amazing. There is rarely anyone else around, there's no signage/booth/gate/designated entry point. It's just...there. Other than the picnic tables and trails in the bottom of the canyon it feels like you're discovering something totally new. I was honestly really surprised that it popped up on The Outbound. Every time I've gone into the canyon I've gone down a really steep hill (30-40 degrees?) right near the picnic tables. It's a little slippery, but it is doable. Once down the initial hill the trail is great, and you can walk around exploring for a few hours. It's worth driving out of your way to get there--if you're driving between Page and Flagstaff or Grand Canyon (or especially if you're headed across 160 to Monument Valley or Four Corners) and have a couple hours, do it! When I took my wife to show her some of the places I lived as a missionary, Coal Mine Canyon was high on the list of places to visit. The turn-off from the highway just looks like any other driveway with a cattle guard. When you see the windmill to north-east of the highway take the road that looks like it leads to the windmill, follow it around the windmill, and you'll reach the picnic tables and the canyon rim.

5.0