Josie Basset's Box Canyon

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5412 - 5480 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Josie Basset's Home Site
Fee: $20/vehicle
Attractions: Scenic canyon, historical site

The Box Canyon trail is located at the Josie Bassett home site within the Utah Section of the Dinosaur National Monument. The box canyon was once used as a natural corral for livestock by fencing across the mouth of the canyon. The adjacent canyon to the east, Hog Canyon, was used in a similar manner where Josephine apparently corralled her hogs.

The entrance to the canyon is well shaded but quite dry during the summer. The lack of grass in the mouth of the canyon may be due to the minimal amount of direct sunlight but may also be, in some part, due to over grazing.

Small bridges have been added to aid the crossing of the occasionally running stream.

The remains of the fence that once held in the livestock can be seen a short distance into the canyon where it becomes narrow enough to make it most practical.

Etchings can be found but they appear to have been defaced making it hard to determine if any of them are ancient in nature.

There is no 'end of trail' sign but eventually turning back becomes a more reasonable option than continuing ahead. The adventuresome hiker may decide to scramble their way over the boulders to the head of the canyon.

Box Canyon is a short hike that shows how this and similar locations were once used to economically pin livestock. Perhaps is was used at an even earlier time by the ancient inhabitants of the area to trap game animals. The brochure mentions that signs of prior habitation by Indians had been found. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.