The Wilhite Trail stretches 5.85 miles from the high mesas of Island in the Sky to White Rim Road. This strenuous trail runs through brush flats and open slickrock before plunging 850’ in just .65 miles into Upper West Basin. It continues through a colorful wash to White Rim Road, just over which are partially navigable slots that eventually spill into the Green River

The Wilhite Trail is distinguished by a wide range of sandstone layers and colorful mineral deposits

Cyanobacteria is one of the oldest known life forms; these organisms were among the earth's first land colonizers, and integral in the formation and stabilization of the earth's early soils

The 2.45 mile stretch through Wilhite Wash is quick with mild grades and few obstacles

Adaptations of the Copper Mallow (aka Cowboy's Delight) such as waxy leaves and stems help reduce sun exposure and water loss

The trail drops 850' in just .65 miles down this Wingate sandstone chute carved into the Island Mesa to a terrace over the basin floor

Once down the vertical chute, travel moderates in open brush flats ideal for seeing wildlife

Collared Lizards are among just a few North American lizards that can run on their hind legs

Wilhite Wash is highlighted by colorful minerals and rocks washed down from exposed strata on the Island Mesa wall

The trail drops 1185' from Upheaval Dome Road to the level, crimson expanse of Upper West Basin

Bunch grasses, blackbrush, mormon tea and rabbitbrush are primary consitituents of the flats on Island Mesa

Deep pools in the slots form microhabitats for tadpole shrimp, fairy shrimp and many types of insects

This picture looking down on the Wilhite slots illustrates just how hard extraction can be without the right skills or equipment

A quick detour from high points on the trail leads to great views of Candlestick Tower and the Green River

Distinct strata and mineral deposits are exposed across large areas between the terrace and basin floor

Be mindful of subtle splits in the wash, especially on the return

The slots just beyond White Rim Road are relatively easy to enter, but quite challenging to exit

The trail occasionally rises above the wash to circumvent dry falls with great views of the surrounding desert

A faint trail weaves through sparsely vegetated flats at the base of the Wingate sandstone cliffs