February 17, 2018 by Don Axford
Elephant Arch is a beautiful arch high on the red rocks in the Red Cliffs Desert Preserve.
In April when we went the wild flowers were beautiful.
Overall rating = moderate
Distance: 4.0 miles return – moderate
Elevation … Read the rest
November 25, 2017 by Don Axford
The Quail Creek Trail in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a pleasant easy walk along Quail Creek and across desert terrain. The trail ends at the Anasazi Trail to the Anasazi archaeological site.
Along the route you will see … Read the rest
April 6, 2017 by Don Axford
The Church Rocks trail is a popular bicycling trail as it is located in Washington City. It also makes for an interesting hike.
This trail is located west of Interstate I15 between exits 13 and 16.
The 2.5 mile loop … Read the rest
April 11, 2016 by Don Axford
Dicks Canyon is an interesting canyon in the Red Reef between the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Leeds, Utah.
The lower section of the canyon, below a high drop, is reached either by hiking 1 mile along the Red Cliffs … Read the rest
April 15, 2015 by Don Axford
There are three reefs that run parallel to Interstate I15 west of Harrisburg, Utah. The one closest to I15, the Leeds Reef, is of dark rock. The White Reef is west of the Leeds Reef and is of white rock … Read the rest
April 15, 2015 by Don Axford
There are two side canyons that enter the west side of main Red Reef Trail that runs from the Red Cliffs Campground to the Moki steps.
The first one is very interesting and starts about 250 yards from the campground … Read the rest
April 15, 2015 by Don Axford
The Pentagon Arch Trail is located in the beautiful Red Cliffs Desert Reserve north of the Virgin River in Hurricane, Utah. Access to this trail is from the north end of Leeds, Utah, via Road 900N which traverses southerly to … Read the rest
April 14, 2015 by Don Axford
Regal Arch is located on the south east slope of Sandstone Mountain in the Babylon area of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. The arch is a little over 150 feet below the peak of sandstone mountain. The arch is a … Read the rest
March 17, 2015 by Don Axford
The Yellow Knolls Trail travels through a scenic valley with beautiful checkerboard style slickrock hills on both sides.
Overall rating = moderate
Distance: 5 miles return including some side diversions to explore the slickrock – moderate
Elevation gain: … Read the rest
March 17, 2015 by Don Axford
This is a trail to the summit of the Broken Mesa with nice views of St George on a clear day. It was a bit hazy when we were up there.
There are also great views of the Pine Valley … Read the rest
March 14, 2015 by Don Axford
The West Cinder Knoll is an interesting cinder cone located within the city of Hurricane. The climb to the top is an easy 1.1 mile hike with a very gradual increase in elevation to the top.
The knoll consists of … Read the rest
March 9, 2015 by Don Axford
Sandstone Mountain consists of three peaks. The lowest one is north of the main mountain. The two higher peaks are to the south.
From the top of the highest peak of Sandstone Mountain you have wonderful views of the surrounding … Read the rest
March 6, 2015 by Don Axford
There are three reefs that run parallel to Interstate I15 west of Harrisburg, Utah. The one closest to I15, the Leeds Reef, is of dark rock. The White Reef is west of the Leeds Reef and is of white rock … Read the rest
November 26, 2013 by Don Axford
The Brackens Loop Trail traverses scenic areas within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve north of Washington City, Utah. This loop trail starts at the Prospector Trail just north of the Washington water tank near Interstate I15. Part way around the … Read the rest
November 19, 2013 by Don Axford
The Spanish Wash traverses a relatively unknown and unused area of the Red Cliff Desert Reserve. This wash is one of several washes which drain the Red Cliff Mountains.
This wash passes under Interstate highway I15 near exit 16 through … Read the rest
January 22, 2013 by Don Axford
The route to the Red Reef above Harrisburg Flat can be reached from the Red Cliffs Recreation Area. This is a steep climb up a narrow ridge between two deep canyons. Some minor route finding skills are necessary to locate … Read the rest
January 8, 2013 by Don Axford
This area of the Red Reef is accessed from the southern section of the Red Reef trail which follows a sandy wash for most of its length. The main Red Reef trail is accessed from the Cottonwood Canyon parking lot … Read the rest
March 22, 2012 by Don Axford
There are two areas down the Babylon Road in Hurricane where there are a number of dinosaur tracks that are quite accessible.
The first area is near the Historic Babylon Trail parking area. These tracks are in steeply bedded brownish … Read the rest
March 4, 2012 by Don Axford
This is an interesting short trail along the red cliffs with beautiful views over the distant silver reef and with many interesting red rock formations around the overlook. From here you can climb higher up the red cliffs.
There are … Read the rest
February 28, 2012 by Don Axford
The Red Reef Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Red Cliffs area. The trail gives beautiful views of two scenic waterfalls over its 1/2 mile one way length. It passes by a large closed arch and … Read the rest
February 27, 2012 by Don Axford
The Cottonwood Trail from the Cottonwood Trailhead to Heath Wash travels through spectacular red cliffs formations with many side canyons for endless exploring enjoyment. The Canyon is wide with high hills on both sides.
Overall rating = moderate… Read the rest
February 26, 2012 by Don Axford
There are several sections of the Red Reef Trail: the one described below which follows a drainage from the northern Red Reef wilderness area down to the Cottonwood Canyon at the Harrisburg Flat; the popular Quail Creek drainage that flows … Read the rest
February 25, 2012 by Don Axford
The Dino Cliffs Trail travels along the low red cliffs just north of Washington City. The trail itself is short (1.8 miles), but there is a long hike to get to the start of the trail and also a long … Read the rest
February 24, 2012 by Don Axford
We stumbled on this trail by accident. It is unnamed and leaves from a primitive campground in the Dixie National Forest on the outskirts of Leeds Utah.
This is a fairly easy climb with spectacular views over Leeds and the … Read the rest
February 16, 2012 by Don Axford
The large arch in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve opposite Harrisburg in Hurricane, Utah, is quite spectacular when viewed up close. It can be accessed by travelling cross country from the Prospector Trail. This is a fairly easy trail.