Hype:

Moonshine canyon is one of my favorite non-technical canyons. I've visited it a half dozen times or so over the years, and never tire of it. The route is easy, and well within most hikers abilities, while the scenery, history, and old sheep bridge make the hike outstanding. For hikers looking for a narrow canyon experience, this is very highly recommended.

This area of the San Rafael desert is not often visited, so expect much solitude and exquisite scenery. There is great primitive camping throughout the area, but please practice Leave No Trace Principles when camping in the area. Three Canyon, just across the road from Moonshine, and Chaffin Ranch Cold Water Geyser also provide interesting diversions while in the area.

The area was popular with bootleggers during prohibition (hence it's name). The west fork contains a few remnants of the old stills built during this time. The sheep bridge, however, likely pre-dates the bootleggers. As of 2009, it is in poor shape, yet still standing proudly over the canyon. It's common sense, but do not try to use the sheep bridge. It is no longer stable, but is fascinating to view and try and image ranchers moving sheep over such a narrow bridge.

Trailhead:

From down town Green River, follow the main road to the airport sign (Long Street). Go south on Long Street several blocks until it's junction with Green River Avenue. Go left (east) on Green River Avenue a block to the junction with Airport Road. Follow Airport Road over the rail road tracks, and under the highway. Reset your odometer on the other side of the highway, as you cross the cattle guard.

Continue on Airport Road for 1.9 miles to a junction signed Horseshoe Canyon. Go left here, resetting your odometer. The road is now dirt, and usually passable by any vehicle when dry. There are many side roads, but continue to stay on the main road for 19.6 miles to where the road crosses the San Rafael river. Reset your odometer at the bridge.

Continue on the main road past the bridge for 5.4 miles to where a road goes off on the right (west). This road is a 4x4 road, but passable by most high clearance vehicles. Drive as far as comfortable, walking what you don't drive. At 0.3 miles from the main road there is a junction. Go left here an additional 0.6 miles to the end of the road and trailhead. An ATV trail continues from this point, but most should park here.

Route:

From the 4x4 trailhead, follow the ATV trail as it winds it's way down the wash to join Moonshine proper in 15 minutes or so. Once in Moonshine, head down canyon. The canyon quickly begins to narrow and deepen. There are a few boulders in this section to climb over and around. None are particularly difficult, especially with a little team work. Once in the depths of Moonshine, easy walking takes you to it's narrowest point, underneath the sheep bridge. Turning around at this point and returning makes a great short hike for those just wanting to see the narrows. (2-3 hours round trip)

If your looking for a longer hike, continue down canyon as it begins opening and getting wider. A little over a mile from the sheep bridge (30-40 minutes), the West Fork comes in on the left (looking down canyon). Heading up the West Fork provides an interesting challenge. Just up from the junction is a 10-12m / 35-40 ft. dryfall. This can be climbed by most with little risk, it is fairly easy and very secure climbing. The pool beneath the dryfall, however, changes with every flood and can be shallow or fairly deep.

Above the dryfall the slot has a few more relatively easy boulder sections before opening up. Again, however, this section seems to change a bit with each flood. Keep following the West Fork up canyon to the ruins of an old concrete vat used for moonshine production. Just past the vat the canyon forks. A short visit up the right fork will take you to Moonshine spring. To visit, got up the right fork until it forks again. Here, go west into the vegetated fork a short distance to the spring in an alcove.

Continue up the west fork of Moonshine. When you reach another prominent junction, go right (up the west fork) climbing a couple of short dryfalls in the process. Once the canyon opens up, travel due east to reach the east fork of Moonshine at about the spot you dropped in at. Return up the ATV trail you came in on.

Photos:

Maps:

Download map(s): Map 1

My History:

I have visited Moonshine many, many times over the years. Most recently in 2009.

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