Car Stacks at Catstair Canyon

The Car Stacks at Catstair Canyon is a quick, cherry-on-top of the day after a longer hike. We completed a long hike in Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch and wanted something short to round out our day and this was the perfect addition.

Finding the trailhead itself was harder than finding the cars. If you are headed toward Page from Kanab, or coming off of House Rock Valley Road like we were, you need to watch closely for Mile Marker 25.  At that point, you will be headed downhill. The guardrail on the right will have an opening with a short road to travel down to get to the parking area. There will not be a sign for the pull out and there will not be a sign for the trailhead. Once parked, head down into the wash and head east. If you picture water flowing through the wash, head downstream. 

After a short walk through the wash and along some interesting rock formations, the floor of the wash drops quickly. You will look down into the area and see the car stacks. They are old cars filled with rocks and secured with cables. What initially appears to be a unique expression of creativity, is actually a structure made to help support the highway. You can scramble down the rocks to get to the base of the car towers for closer viewing. 

Difficulty: Mild related to short descent into the wash from the parking lot and the descent to go down to the base of the car towers.

Trail Stats: 0.5 miles, out and back, negligible elevation gain.

Trail Finding: Relatively easy.

Conditions: Sand, sandstone rock.

Would I Repeat This: Perhaps, quick to do and it is unique.

Parking: Small area for parking is available.

Timing: This hike is short and sweet. Just don’t do it if rain is forecasted since you are in a wash.

Downloaded Map: Not available. There are paper brochures at the Kane Country Tourism Office in Kanab.

Fees: None.

Trails: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, Toadstools, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Coyote Buttes North and South (both require lottery-style permits), and more.