Great Western Trail - Griffin Top Section

The Griffin Top Section (Forest Trail #34001.4) covers 5.6 miles one-way, climbing 840 feet as it works its way onto the Griffin Top mesa in Dixie National Forest. It's rated moderate for hikers and horses, difficult for mountain bikes, and closed to OHVs and e-bikes.

Good to know

• From the junction with the Horse Creek Section, the trail climbs gradually toward Horse Lake before a steeper push up to Forest Road 140
• Past the 3-mile mark the grade steepens again on the final climb to the rim
• Water at Horse Lake exists but isn't reliable — carry your own for a day trip
• Reaching the north trailhead requires a long drive from Escalante: west on Highway 12, then roughly 34 miles of forest roads to the North Creek Lakes trailhead area

This is the section that actually delivers the Griffin Top payoff — mesa-top terrain and long views after a real climb, rather than just road walking.