The Thumb Pour Off
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
A BLM permit is required for all day and overnight use in Grand Gulch. Pets are not allowed in Grand Gulch or its tributary canyons.
Photo Credits (3)
Difficulty
Hard
About The Thumb Pour Off
The Thumb Pour Off is a seasonal pour-off beside The Thumb, a thumb-shaped rock formation in Grand Gulch on Cedar Mesa, north of Mexican Hat. The BLM Grand Gulch map places The Thumb between Big Man Panel and the Bullet Canyon junction. It is on BLM land within the Grand Gulch canyon system and is reached only by a long canyon hike, usually as part of a backpacking trip.
The Setting
The Thumb Pour Off sits at 5,554 feet within Monticello Field Office, in the high mountains of Utah.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no short trail. The Thumb is deep in Grand Gulch, reached by hiking down-canyon from the Kane Gulch, Todie Canyon or Bullet Canyon trailheads on UT 261; routes involve rough canyon-bottom travel and are commonly done as overnight trips.
What to Expect
A ledge beside a distinctive rock pinnacle that flows mainly after storms or spring snowmelt and can be dry or low at other times.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at The Thumb Pour Off?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets are not allowed in Grand Gulch, Slickhorn, or their tributary canyons.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $5.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at The Thumb Pour Off?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to mild temperatures and the potential for seasonal water flow.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September).
Safety Information
Water sources in Grand Gulch are intermittent. Watch for flash floods during storms.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on San Juan River, 22.8 miles away, not on The Thumb Pour Off's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
30,200 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much higher than usual for this time of year
Based on 101 years of record
22.31 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
The water is flowing much higher than usual, expect an impressive display.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR BLUFF, UT (37 km away).
Today
Roaring
30200 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
30039 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
28973 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
30168 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
30039 cfs
9/10Sun
Roaring
29877 cfs
9/10Mon
Roaring
29683 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early July, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Mexican Hat hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is The Thumb Pour Off Frozen?
Updated about 11 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
The Thumb Pour Off is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 40°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 27800 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Utah.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 164 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 5,553 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 381 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 96 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,553 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 164 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Trailheads for Grand Gulch are on UT 261 on Cedar Mesa, north of the Moki Dugway. Pick up permits and current water and route information at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station on UT 261.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Cedar Mesa trailheads on UT 261 (Kane Gulch, Todie Canyon or Bullet Canyon), where self-pay permit tubes are located.
Elevation
5,554 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.457220° N, -110.020130° W
Land Management
Managed by BLM Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Carry a map of Grand Gulch and ask at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station about water. Do not disturb cultural sites or artifacts.
This trail sits at 5,554 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 22% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Where to Stay
Stone Lizard Lodge
Bears Ears Inn
The Retreat at Calf Canyon
Cedar Canyon Condos
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Natural Bridges Campground
10.7 miles away · 13 sites
Overview The campground includes 13 sites total, each of which can accommodate tent campers or RVs. Due to the size of the campground, there is a length limit of 26 feet combined. The campground is open year-round and is typically busiest from mid-March to mid-June. Visitation also spikes in the late fall, between September and October. The campground tends to fill up quickly during these busy periods. The Natural Bridges National Monument Campground is located approximately 35 miles West of Blan
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near The Thumb Pour Off, Utah
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near The Thumb Pour Off, Utah on SoakingSprings.
Explore Utah springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Big Man Panel, Bullet Canyon, and the Kane Gulch Ranger Station on UT 261.
Wildlife
Visitors may encounter desert wildlife such as lizards, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially dangerous animals.
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