PRINT: Rock Climbing in Top of the World Overlook, Southeast Utah

Top of the World Overlook

Utah > Southeast Utah > Grand County > Onion Creek > Mystery Towers & Top…

Access Issue: RAIN, WET ROCK and RAPTOR CLOSURES: The sandstone around Moab is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Also please ask and be aware of Raptor Closures in areas. Details

WET ROCK: Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN MOAB during or after rain.

RAPTOR CLOSURES: please be aware of seasonal raptor closures. They occur annually in the spring. Indian Creek Raptor Closure walls include: Echos, The Wall, Far Side, Original Meat, Tenderloins, Second Meat, First Meat, Selfish, Six Star, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, Reservoir Wall, Critic’s Choice.

Description

Home to the route "Cooler than Jesus," the Top of the World Overlook provides an amazing view of the Mystery Towers, the back of the Fishers, and the La Sals. It is not technically part of the Mystery Towers (it sits far above them and is solid Wingate), but is included here due to its proximity and the fact that it only has one climb (to date).

Getting There

A separate approach than the Mystery Towers. Turn west off of 128 (River Road) bt. mile markers 29 & 30 at the Dewey Bridge Recreation Area. Immediately on your left is the Historic Dewey Bridge and a parking area. Reset your mileage here and continue on the gravel road west. This approach requires a high clearence vehicle to get all the way to the overlook, but if you make it you could practically rap off your trailer hitch into the climb.

At 4.9 miles you will get to a well-signed junction (straight is the Kokopelli Trail, right is the Top of the World Overlook). Turn right.

At 5.6 miles park you'll reach a fork with a long straight branch heading off to the right. Do not take this; continue straight (ie the left hand branch).

You'll reach the Overlook at 9.0 miles. The road gets steadily rougher, but I've seen a skilled Subaru driver take his wagon all the way to within 2 miles - not dent-free however. A stock Cherokee or similar vehicle can make it all the way albeit the driver must know what they're doing.

Routes from Left to Right

5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 5 ● Cooler than Jesus Trad 3 pitches

● Cooler than Jesus

5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

May not look too bad but there was some serious 4WD heading up to the Top of the World. This is on the way down.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Dean Hoffman

Just a note about this approach, just this drive on the 5th of July, whew it was hot and I think, perhaps, the road has gotten worse. Driving a 05 Tacoma we were in for some rough driving, no major damage but there were some nervous moments. Definitely would not try this in anything other than a 4wd truck with good clearance. However the view alone was worth it all. Jul 10, 2007

Marc801 C
Sandy, Utah

The 4x4 approach has deteriorated significantly over the past 5 years. Now the requirements are:

full 4x4, high clearance
minimum 33" tires - 35" better
rear differential locker

It is unlikely that a stock vehicle can do this trail. Plan on 2.5 hrs for the final 4 miles of approach Feb 27, 2020