The Mossy Cave Trail is just outside the main drive of Bryce Canyon National Park. This short, easy hike is good preparation for exploring the entire Bryce Amphitheater area. There is little elevation gain on this hike with a good path, two bridges crossing the creek and an exciting end at either, the waterfall, the mossy cave or both.
The hike is listed as .8 miles round trip to the cave, if you add in the waterfall and exploring along the creek it is over a mile retracing the route back to the parking area. Hiking with young children is always an extra challenge. This trail provides enough changes to hold the interest of even a toddler and views of the hoodoos and an explanation of the history to keep even the most seasoned hiker happy.
The trailhead is found on Utah Highway 12, just 4 miles past the park entrance. It is on the way to the town of Tropic. It is the town of Tropic and the need for water that provide the history along this trail. The creek that the trail follows is not a true creek, but rather the Tropic Ditch, a canal following the natural water flow supplemented by the digging of the pioneers. This allowed water to flow to the town of Tropic about 6 miles further east on Highway 12. The signage along the trail points out how successful this was as water has flowed almost continually since the ditch was completed.
The trailhead is in a small wooded area. There is limited, but ample parking and it has shade and a restroom. Most of the hike is in the open so remember the big rules of hiking in the southwest: wear sunscreen and take water. This trail provides good views of the hoodoos in their various forms hoodoos, fins and windows. The Trail follows the ditch and winds from side to side with two bridges crossing the creek. The final bridge leads to a split in the trail with the choice of paths: either to the waterfall or to the Mossy Cave. Both trails are less than a quarter mile so with a stop to enjoy the scene at the waterfall or cave they can both be easily accomplished by any age hiker.
The Tropic Ditch
This section of the Tropic Ditch makes an amazing hike. The Ditch itself is an irrigation canal constructed by early pioneers to divert water from the east fork of the Sevier River to the town of Tropic. This canal used was dug over a three year period and was completed in 1892. It used the natural water features many of which were normally dry. Near Mossy Cave, there is a sudden drop in Water Canyon that produces a small waterfall. This waterfall is set in such a beautiful location that it attracts many hikers and a variety of photos of this waterfall appear on the internet and in magazines trying to capture the contrasts of the beautiful, but barren, landscape and the life giving water of the ditch.
The Waterfall
The waterfall can be seen from the last bridge. It is only about 12 feet in height, but is impressive in the ditch with sculptured backdrop of Water Canyon. The trail takes you to the top of the waterfall and the rapidly moving water is enjoyable to watch. Exploring up stream there are a variety of interesting views and possible place to cross the ditch. There was a log at the top of the falls that many used to cross, be careful as it is slippery and the water is moving rapidly and very near the falls. By crossing the ditch you are able to take a short steep trail up to the windows in the rock. The view back down to the waterfalls or through the windows, to the trail you just hiked is equally beautiful. The impact of the view is enhanced by the eroded hole in the rock that is the view point. It is hard to imagine any improvement on this view, yet it is really just a hint of the beauty of Bryce Canyon.
The Mossy Cave
Returning to the split in the trail, it is another short hike to Mossy Cave. This portion of the trail has most of the elevation gain along the trail (total gain from the trailhead is only about 100 feet) It is somewhat shaded and the cave is "raining on" the visitors as they reach the inside of the alcove. The water seeps through the rock and produces the "rain" as well as the moss cover which gives this alcove its name. The location is a cool break before the intense sun on the unprotected trail back to the parking area.
This is a very pleasant hike for all ages showing off the great beauty of the Bryce Canyon area. It is less crowded and allows an up close feel to the wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Kim Youmans - Kim Youmans is an acclaimed educator, teaching preschool through graduate school. He writes about Theology, travels, and the outdoors.
