Professor Valley Rim

This short, 1.6-mile dead-end spur travels along the southwest end of Dome Plateau to a rim nearly 2,000 feet above Professor Valley. For over a half mile, you will ride the edge of the rim with astonishing panoramic views of the La Sal Mountains, Parriott Mesa, Castleton Tower, the Priest and Nuns rock formations, as well as the Colorado River. The drive is fairly easy in a high clearance 4WD vehicle, but users can expect to encounter 6-8" rocks and ledges along the way, tight brush that is likely to scratch your paint, and one loose hillclimb that might require low range. The trail ends at a small roundabout that can accommodate four to six vehicles and offers plenty of level, open ground for camping on top of patches of slickrock. This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle, but not recommended for large groups due to the small size of the ending turnaround.