So now let’s play one game. Close your eyes. Say what do you think when I tell “American West”?
Sure you will recall some images from the westerns. The vast rocky plain with no trees only brushes, the sun above it, and rock formations stand in the distance.
The Monument Valley lays in two states. The less famous Utah, and the Arizonian which consists of the Navajo Tribal Park and surrounding lands. When you hear Monument Valley most of the time, it’s the reference to Navajo Nation Park.
And as part of the reservation land, the park has precisely the same restrictions as other attractions in the Indian reservation: you cannot explore the territory by yourself, you need Navajo guide and the permit.
The only trail in the park you can hike without the permit is Wildcat Trail. It’s a well maintained pass of 3.2 miles around West Mitten Butte.

The trail starts right near the visitor center. It descends from the hill to the value, and from that point remains leveled (on the way back will be the only uphill hike up to the trailhead.) The trail is almost all the time exposed. The single shadow we got was from the Mitten Butte when we passed the northern side of it.
The trail indeed is very easy and not challenging. But it’s an excellent opportunity to see the red giants closer and take a look at the valley from another perspective.