Lost in The Maze IV | Thursday – Sunday, February 26 – March 1, 2026
After taking Jackson on his first trip into The Maze about two years ago he told me that he was interested in hiking to the Harvest Scene at some point and we started thinking about plans for a future trip into the area. Although I have hiked to the Harvest Scene quite a few times before, I was interested in revisiting the loop from Chimney Rock again since that was my very first hike in The Maze and I didn’t remember it very well- plus, I wanted to hike it in the opposite direction so we would be on the Petes Mesa Route in the early morning. Last year after Jackson bought a new 4Runner Trailhunter we tentatively started making plans to drive out to Chimney Rock in late February so he could see what his new vehicle could do. At the time we initially started planning the trip I still had my Jeep and figured we could just head out there together over a long weekend since I have driven that road many times before, but then I ended up trading in my Rubicon for a 4Runner and figured that this would now be a good opportunity to see how my new vehicle would handle the road out to the Land of Standing Rocks, too. Since both of us would be driving new vehicles into The Maze for the first time, I thought it might be a good idea to invite a friend with a Jeep along, just in case, so I contacted my friend Dave and he was able to come along and even brought Jared with him. It turned out that he would also end up taking a different vehicle on this trip since his Jeep was in the shop, and he ended up driving his wife’s Rubicon this time.
While I usually prefer to spend more time out in The Maze than just a standard weekend since it’s a bit of a longer and slower drive to get out there, when Jackson had initially acquired the permits last year we were both short on PTO and we just planned to spend two nights at Chimney Rock so we would have a full day to drive in, a full day to hike the loop and then a full day to drive back out and home. It’s always a gamble when you book these permits 3-4 months in advance, especially for the shoulder seasons, but we really lucked out with the weather this time and would have temperatures maxing out in the low 70’s and only dropping into the 40’s at night. You can’t really get much better than that at this time of the year! Springtime in Canyon Country is definitely here!
After leaving from work on Thursday afternoon I headed west into Utah and grabbed an early dinner at Ray’s before continuing on to Hanksville where I met up with Jackson. After topping off our gas tanks we continued on down North Wash and followed the Hite Road across Andy Miller Flats and below The Blocks. We met up with Dave and Jared at a campsite shortly after sunset just before entering the Orange Cliffs Unit of Glen Canyon NRA. We caught up for a little while and went to bed early. On Friday morning we got up with the sunrise, took our time packing up camp and then started our drive into the Land of Standing Rocks.
We woke up with the sunrise illuminating the orange cliffs of the North Block on Friday morning.
My 4Runner at Camp
After driving across Waterhole Flat I followed Jackson into the roughest part of the road around the head of Teapot Canyon.
Dave going down the ledge…
…then up the ledge.
Waiting for my turn.
Dave took this photo of my going up one of the ledges near the head of Teapot Canyon.
Although I’m fairly confident I could have gotten my 4Runner into The Maze if it were still stock, I am glad that I was able to get the lift and swaybar ‘disconnects’ installed before this trip- otherwise I probably would have been dragging the skids and bumpers all over the rocks. I was actually pretty happy with how the 4Runner performed on this road, even though I had to be a little more vigilant with my lines than when I was driving a Jeep.
After a few hours of driving we made to to the campsite near Chimney Rock and then relaxed around camp for a while. It sure didn’t feel like February weather with highs in the 70’s today! Later in the afternoon we went on a hike along the ridge between Jasper Canyon and Shot Canyon for a few miles.
Jasper Canyon
Shot Canyon
This was near our turnaround point along the Jasper-Shot Ridge.
Tafoni
Here’s one last look over Shot Canyon as we made our way back to camp for dinner.
After a good night of sleep we woke up on Saturday morning to some nice colors in the clouds behind Chimney Rock.
I just love the way the Chocolate Drops catch the first sunlight of the day below Panorama Point!
Chimney Rock Camp
Chimney Rock at Sunrise
Elaterite Butte
Under the Ledge Country
After breakfast we set out on our loop hike into The Maze as we headed out on the Petes Mesa Route.
Following Petes Mesa Route across the sandstone.
We passed this little arch as we followed the route across the top of the ridge.
Looking back from atop the ridge.
Continuing along the ridgetop towards Petes Mesa.
Soon we reached the base of Petes Mesa and left the main route to search for some arches.
It was a colorful country to explore.
There are at least three different arches visible in this photo.
Following Jackson back to the main trail.
Hiking below Petes Mesa.
Magnus Arch (Lizard Arch)
Jared takes in the view before we start our descent into The Maze.
Dropping into The Maze with the help of a large stone staircase.
Into The Maze
A closer look at the Chocolate ‘Bars’
Brimhall Point
Soon we reached the Harvest Scene and stopped to check out the ancient Barrier Canyon Style pictographs found here. The sky was clear and the light was harsh and it wasn’t a great time to get photos of the rock art, so I’m thankful that I have better photos from previous visits. Afterwards we sat down and rested in some nearby shade while we ate lunch.
The Harvest Scene
Long Dog Panel
I think this is still my favorite little pictograph at this panel.
Snake Panel
Hunchback Panel
After our rest it was time to finish up the loop by continued up the Pictograph Fork.
Pictograph Fork
Maze Petroglyphs
As we started our ascent out of The Maze the sky became mostly overcast and stayed that way for much of the rest of the afternoon, so I didn’t bother taking any more photos. Of course, it would have been nice to have had these conditions while we were still at the Harvest Scene!
The sky did start to clear a little shortly before sunset, which made for a nice view of Chimney Rock.
After another good night of sleep we were up before sunrise on Sunday morning to watch the colorful show in the sky to the east.
We slowly packed up camp and then started our drive out.
Making our way back around Teapot Canyon.
Down the Ledge
Four Wheel Drive Only
When we reached Meeting House Hill our group split up since Dave and Jared wanted to go up the Flint Trail, but Jackson and I still planned to drive out via Hite. Even though this was just a short trip into The Maze, I think we all had a pretty great time!
