Mossy Cave - Bryce Canyon National Park

Mossy Cave

Bryce Canyon National Park
Hiking

Mossy Cave is a short hike to a fun waterfall and cave. The route is exceptional hike for children, senior citizens, or others wishing to see hoodoos up close but without a long hike or steep slopes. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints.

General Information:
          Mossy Cave is a short hike to a splendid waterfall and cave. The route is very easy and suitable for all ages, The route can be hiked year round and offers many photographic opportunities. The route is less than one mile round trip.

          The time required to hike to both the waterfall and cave is approximately one hour depending on how much time you spending enjoying the scenery. Mossy Cave is not a not really a cave but a grotto. Depending on the season, you will see a large overhang filled with moss and/or giant icicles created by an underground spring.

          A GPS is complete overkill but I have included the waypoints for those that enjoy playing with their electronic toys. The USGS 7.5' Map titled "Tropic Canyon" shows the area described. Navigation for this route is extremely easy. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum. Mossy Cave is rated 1A I using the Canyon Rating System.

History:
The water that flows through the canyon and over the waterfall is actually part of a Mormon pioneer irrigation system. From 1890-1892 early settlers labored with picks and shovels to carve an irrigation ditch from the East Fork of the Sevier River, through the Paunsaugunt Plateau, into this canyon. Every year since its completion in 1892 (except during the drought of 2002), this canal known as the Tropic Ditch has supplied the communities of Tropic and Cannonville with irrigation water.

Trailhead Information:
The Mossy Cave Trailhead is accessible year round to all vehicles.

From Tropic Utah: Travel west on Highway 12 for 3.7 miles to a small pull-out on the left (south) side of the road. This is the Mossy Cave Trailhead. The trailhead is signed with a kiosk and has a pit toilet.

From the Junction of Highways 12 and 63: Travel east on Highway 12 for 3.8 miles to a small pull-out on the right (south) side of the road. This is the Mossy Cave Trailhead. The trailhead is signed with a kiosk and has a pit toilet.

Route Information:
From the Mossy Cave Trailhead (N37° 39' 57", W112° 06' 37"), follow the wide and well defined trail south, crossing two bridges to a junction. The trail to the right (west) takes you to the waterfall (N37° 39' 55", W112° 06' 52"), which is 100-yards past the junction. The trail to the left (east) takes you to Mossy Cave (N37° 39' 48", W112° 06' 55"), which is 100-yards past the junction.

Video:
Enjoy a short video of Mossy Cave. Video courtesy of Dan Burt.

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