A number of scenic trails and routes go to open views on top of the Red Plateau Escarpment.
Driving Directions/Trailheads:
- An established trail (Dewdrop Trail) climbs from the Dewdrop Range to the rim of Red Plateau. It links onto the Dewdrop Traverse which runs all the way from the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road to the end of Red Plateau at Hardie Hill. The trailhead is at a parking area 0.7 km along the Frederick Road on the right side.
- There are other trails that climb to the rim from the Dewdrop Range. Three Amigos, Dead Coyote, and a couple of routes all climb the Escarpment. Navigation is required to hike these trails.
- The starting point for the Dewdrop Traverse Route starts at the Pimple parking area. A old double track climbs to Jag Hill and continues west.
- When the Red Plateau Forest Service Road is in good condition (late spring to early fall), a high clearance vehicle can climb up onto Red Plateau. There are some double tracks that can be followed out to the trails along the rim.
- A mountain bike trail loop (High Noon – Superstitious) can be hiked from the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road, 3.9 km past The Pimple parking area.
- The Dewdrop Trail climbs up a gully, then a ridge to the rim of the Red Plateau Escarpment. There is a lower viewpoint 2 km up the ridge. A higher viewpoint is at 4 km. The vertical gain is 472m. Hikers can continue on to the Castle Butte area or farther along the traverse. Return by the same route.
- The Three Amigos – Dead Coyote Loop is about 11 km and will require careful navigation.
- The route from the Pimple up to Jag Hill follows double tracks, but there are a number of side routes and no signage. A good map or a GPS is recommended. The route out to the Jag Hill viewpoint has no trail, but the route follows the spine of the ridge.
- The route from the Red Plateau FSR provides a moderate route out to the rim. The best track starts at about Km 4.9. Navigation on top of Red Plateau is a bit of a challenge so bring a map and/or a GPS.
- The route out to the top of Castle Butte has no trail and the final section requires scrambling.
- An all-scrambling route goes up the Ragged Red Ridge.
Some Red Plateau Images:
More Information:
- Dewdrop Trail
- Three Amigos Loop
- High Noon – Superstitious Loop (tbd)
- Jag Hill from Red Plateau
- Jag Hill from the Pimple
- Castle Butte from Red Plateau
- Castle Butte from the Dewdrop Trail
- Dewdrop Traverse