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
November 24, 2017 by Don Axford
The Eagle Crags can be seen for miles when you are driving towards Zion National Park along highway SR9 from Hurricane, Utah. This is a beautiful promontory of jagged rock pinnacles south of Rockville, Utah. From the Crags you have … Read the rest
April 13, 2017 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 6, 2017 by Don Axford
Upper Pine Creek is a large north-south drainage system that crosses under SR9 0.4 miles east of the east end of the Main Zion Tunnel on SR9. This creek runs north from the road for about 1.5 miles through beautiful … 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
March 22, 2017 by Don Axford
The Shinob Kibe Mesa is the most prominent feature in Washington City, Utah. It can be seen on various tourist brochures for the city.
Shinob Kibe was named for a Paiute deity who was considered a protector of the tribes. … Read the rest
March 19, 2017 by Don Axford
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a beautiful ATV area of Utah. The sand dunes extend for about 7 miles in length allowing for endless exploring.
From Hurricane, Utah travel east on Utah SR59 crossing into Arizona at … Read the rest
March 17, 2017 by Don Axford
The Zion Petroglyphs are not well known. They are located on the east side of Zion and have an easy trail to them.
Overall rating = easy
Distance: 0.25 miles each way – easy
Elevation gain: 100 feet … Read the rest
March 17, 2017 by Don Axford
The Sand Bench Trail is a relatively unused trail in the Scenic Zion Canyon Drive. It is used for horse trail rides from April to October. The best time for hiking is outside this time frame as the sandy trail … Read the rest
February 28, 2017 by Don Axford
Warner Ridge is a prominent sloping upthrust rock ridge that parallels the Southern Parkway near Washington City. It gives a scenic vantage point for viewing features to the east and west of the ridge.
The valley floor to the east … Read the rest
January 18, 2017 by Don Axford
This trail gives an excellent vantage point looking over the Quail Creek Reservoir to the South and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Pine Valley Mountains to the West.
Overall rating = moderate
Distance: 2.6 miles return – … 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
February 24, 2016 by Don Axford
This is a moderately difficult hike into the beautiful wilderness on the east side of Zion National Park. You traverse about 2 miles to the top of a ridge and then down into Pine Basin. You then ascend another ridge … Read the rest
January 22, 2016 by Don Axford
The main Scout Cave is a large cave north of the Snow Canyon Parkway in Ivins, Utah. The cave is reached from the Snow Canyon Drive just south of the Snow Canyon State Park.
Overall rating = easy… 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
This hike consists of travelling down Cottonwood Creek to the junction of Bitter Creek and then back out the Bitter Creek Canyon.
Cottonwood Creek runs from forest road 032 (the Danish Ranch Road) in the Cottonwood Wilderness to join Quail … 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 15, 2015 by Don Axford
The Anasazi Trail runs from the Anasazi Subdivision in Springdale, Utah, through BLM land into the south central region of Zion National Park.
This is a pleasant easy hike with little elevation change into a scenic area of Zion.
Overall … Read the rest
April 15, 2015 by Don Axford
Many Pools is a beautiful trail up a broad slickrock valley with numerous water pools along the route. In the authors opinion this is one of the nicest trails in Zion. From the head of the Many Pools trail you … Read the rest
April 15, 2015 by Don Axford
This is an off trail hike around the Quail Lake Reservoir in Hurricane, Utah.
From this route you have beautiful views of Quail Lake and the surrounding hills.
Overall rating = moderate
Distance: 8 miles total – moderate… 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 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
February 19, 2015 by Don Axford
The black volcanic top of Mollies Nipple is perched over a thousand feet above the Hurricane Valley. This hill is a highly visible landmark of the Hurricane Valley, with the City of Hurricane and airport at its base.
From the … Read the rest
February 17, 2015 by Don Axford
Taylor Creek flows down through three major canyons in the Kolob Canyons region of Zion National Park.
The North Fork of Taylor Creek is the more difficult of the three canyons to traverse but is very beautiful.
You reach the … Read the rest
February 16, 2015 by Don Axford
The Taylor Creek Trail is a popular trail in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. Taylor Creek has three tributaries running into the main creek: the North Fork, the Middle Fork, and the South Fork. The more popular … Read the rest
February 14, 2015 by Don Axford
The Trail to Observation Point is long and strenuous but the views on the way up and the views from the point at trail end are well worth the effort. However, if you are afraid of heights and long drop-offs … Read the rest
December 11, 2014 by Don Axford
This is a remote trek into the wilderness on the East side of Zion National Park. Travelling South from SR9 you reach an interesting rock field about 2 miles in. The canyon of the East Fork of the Virgin River … Read the rest
April 10, 2014 by Don Axford
There is an ATV trail that runs from Anderson Junction at Interstate I15, exit 27, to beyond Pintura, exit 31. This trail is located east of Interstate I15 and west of Ash Creek. There are a number of points with … Read the rest
February 26, 2014 by Don Axford
The Cohab Canyon is a beautiful hike with amazing rock formations, high walls, and side slot canyons.
This canyon runs from the Fruita campground at Capitol Reef National Park, easterly to where it exits onto highway 24 near the Hickman … Read the rest
February 24, 2014 by Don Axford
Grand Wash is a beautiful gorge that cuts its way through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. Originally it was used by wagons that travelled from the Freemont River to Highway 24, 4.5 miles … Read the rest
February 12, 2014 by Don Axford
This trail follows the South Wash, a major wash to the south of the Grafton Cemetery. This wash receives runoff from the Smithsonian Butte, and the two mesa’s on each side of the South Wash, Wire Mesa and Grafton Mesa.… Read the rest
February 6, 2014 by Don Axford
Wet Sandy is one of the major drainage channels from a large section of the Pine Valley Mountains and provides a significant water source for the town of Toquerville, Utah. Wet Sandy starts at an elevation of about 9000 feet … Read the rest
January 22, 2014 by Don Axford
Big Hollow is located in the Cottonwood Forest Wilderness west of Leeds, Utah. You enter the Big Hollow Creek off of forest road 031. This is a beautiful canyon running south from the forest road, for 1.5 miles, where it … Read the rest
January 12, 2014 by Don Axford
Camp Creek is a remote strenuous trail into the interior of Zion National Park on the north west side of the park. While it is near the finger canyons off the Kolob National Park Road it is more remote and … Read the rest
November 30, 2013 by Don Axford
The Candy Cliffs in the Yant Flat area of the Cottonwood Forest Wilderness are one of the most beautiful areas in all of Utah.
These cliffs are relatively accessible from the Cottonwood Forest Road 031 being about 1.2 miles from … 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
November 11, 2013 by Don Axford
This trail follows the Horse Valley upstream to a beautiful double waterfall at the end of a box canyon. The valley is fairly broad until the last third when the sides start to close in. This upper portion is the … Read the rest
November 9, 2013 by Don Axford
The Three Falls in Gould’s Wash is accessible from the main downtown area of Hurricane, Utah.
Gould’s Wash runs from the plateau above Hurricane down through Hurricane, crossing under State Street around 1400W, crosses under 600N just east of the … Read the rest
April 18, 2013 by Don Axford
Hidden Arch is located across the road from the Checkerboard Mesa near the East entrance to Zion National Park. The trail to view the arch travels through a wash and over slickrock to a viewpoint, and then returns back on … Read the rest
March 29, 2013 by Don Axford
This trail is one of the nicer trails in Snow Canyon. Johnson Canyon is beautiful with a large free standing arch. When we travelled the trail in March there were a large number of frogs seranading us. The trail is … Read the rest
March 29, 2013 by Don Axford
The trail to this natural amphitheater, in a beautiful white rock formation, leaves SR18 just north of the north entrance to the Snow Canyon State Park. Because this trail travels into the State Park it requires paying the park fee … Read the rest
March 29, 2013 by Don Axford
The Lava Flow Trail is an easy trail through black lava flows. Along the route there are several lava tubes two of which can be entered fairly easily. The largest lava tube is at the end of the trail before … Read the rest
March 29, 2013 by Don Axford
This trail is an ideal short level children’s trail which leads to a short slot canyon. The trail is closed annually from March 15 to June 1.
Overall rating = easy
Distance: 0.5 Miles return – easy
Elevation … 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 21, 2013 by Don Axford
Little Purgatory is an extensively weathered deep lowland basin north east of the Quail Creek Reservoir and south of Leeds, Utah. This region consists of soft shales overlain by hard conglomerates. The Little Purgatory basin is an area where weathering … 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
December 22, 2012 by Don Axford
Coalpits Wash carries water from deep within the Zion wilderness on the south western part of the Zion lowlands. Access to this wash is either from SR9, 6.8 miles east of Virgin, Utah, or from the Dalton Wash which is … Read the rest
December 13, 2012 by Don Axford
Big Hollow is located in the Cottonwood Forest Wilderness west of Leeds, Utah. You enter the Big Hollow Creek off of forest road 031. This is a beautiful canyon running south from the forest road, for 1 1/4 miles, where … Read the rest
December 12, 2012 by Don Axford
Scoggins Wash is an easy walk into the interior of the southern lowlands of Zion National Park, Utah. This is an ideal winter hike as it is fairly dry and temperatures are much cooler than in the summer. At the … Read the rest
December 8, 2012 by Don Axford
The Wildcat Canyon trail is an easy day hike through relatively flat country with views over Russell Gulch, The North Guardian Angel, the East Northgate Peak, and the Zion Canyons in the distance as well as the beautiful Wildcat Canyon.… Read the rest
December 2, 2012 by Don Axford
Gifford Canyon is a north-south canyon on the East side of Zion National Park. The hike through Gifford Canyon is a nice hike through a sandy wash. This hike gets you away from the crowds and into a secluded and … Read the rest
November 25, 2012 by Don Axford
The road to Dalton Wash travels north from SR9 just east of Virgin, Utah. This gravel road takes you to the top of a mesa from where you can access the western wilderness of Zion National Park by following Dalton … Read the rest
November 24, 2012 by Don Axford
Toquerville Falls is a scenic falls on the upper La Verkin Creek. The ATV ride is on a rough dirt road 6 miles one way with 2300 vertical feet of climbing. It’s scenic and the falls are beautiful.
November 24, 2012 by Don Axford
The Leap Creek Trail starts behind the Browse Ranger station located 7.5 miles west of exit 30 on Interstate I15 between St George and Cedar City, Utah. This trail continues to the Big Point Summit of the Pine Valley Mountains … Read the rest
November 24, 2012 by Don Axford
The Timber Creek Overlook in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park gives magnificent views of the Zion mountains. This trail is located at the end of the Kolob Canyons Road, 5.2 miles from the Visitor Center. The trail … Read the rest
November 24, 2012 by Don Axford
The Northgate Peaks are two large slickrock peaks, the East Northgate Peak and the West Northgate Peak, on the Kolob Plateau in the north western wilderness of Zion National Park. The West Peak rises about 500 feet above the valley … Read the rest
November 23, 2012 by Don Axford
Clear Creek flows from beyond the eastern entrance of Zion National Park down past Checkerboard Mesa and along the south side of SR9 until it enters Pine Creek about 0.4 miles east of the upper end of the Main Zion … Read the rest
November 21, 2012 by Don Axford
Pine Creek begins in the high country 1.5 miles north of SR9 on the eastern section of Zion National Park, continues down and under SR9, then along the south side of SR9, goes back north under SR9, and then drops … Read the rest
April 17, 2012 by Don Axford
The JEM trail, named for trailblazers John, Ellen, and Mike, is a 22 mile bike trail that travels along the Virgin River and Hurricane Cliffs. The first 2 miles of this trail is a beautiful walking trail along the Virgin … Read the rest
March 31, 2012 by Don Axford
Little Wild Horse canyon is an amazing slot canyon that is so narrow in places you can hardly make it through. It is one of the most interesting slot canyons in the southwest. It first cuts through the San Rafael … Read the rest
March 30, 2012 by Don Axford
Bell Canyon is a beautiful smallish slot canyon. It first cuts through the San Rafael Swell and then eventually joins with the Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon. There is an interesting variety of forms some of which can be viewed … Read the rest
March 28, 2012 by Don Axford
The Spring Creek and Canyon Narrows travels into the center of a vast wilderness area adjacent to and north of Zion National Park.
Spring Creek runs up a wide valley for 1.4 miles to the canyon section. There it enters … Read the rest
March 23, 2012 by Don Axford
Wild Horse Canyon is an interesting canyon. It first cuts through the reef, then traverses about a mile between sections of the reef. There is a grand variety of forms from rocky narrows to broad flat sections. In no place … 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 21, 2012 by Don Axford
Willis Creek Slot Canyon is a beautiful curved slot canyon with easy access from the road.
The Skutumpah Access road travels through remote country and follows the Pink and White Cliff terraces of the Grand Staircase.
Overall rating … Read the rest
March 20, 2012 by Don Axford
Surprise Canyon Trail is an easy hike into a deep canyon with towering sandstone walls. The canyon ends in a very narrow slot and then is impassible.
For an enjoyable full days outing you can drive a short ways further … Read the rest
March 19, 2012 by Don Axford
The Fremont River Trail is about 1.2 miles in length. The first one-half mile of the trail is an easy, level walk along the river. The last portion of the trail is a moderately strenuous climb to an overlook 770 … Read the rest
March 8, 2012 by Don Axford
Spooky Gulch is a short slot canyon hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, located off the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, 26 miles south of the town of Escalante. Spooky is well named and famous for how dark and narrow it gets in … Read the rest
March 6, 2012 by Don Axford
The Warner Valley is located in a remote area south-east of St George Utah near the Arizona border. This is a beautiful valley with towering red rock mountains to the north whith numerous purple dune shaped hills at their base. … 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 28, 2012 by Don Axford
You can journey through well maintained rock trails to find bubbling brook and plant identifitcation throughout the Children’s Forest At The Kiln.
This is an easy trail ideally suited for children and also for adults.
Overall rating = … Read the rest
February 28, 2012 by Don Axford
There were numerous mines along the Silver Reef in the Babylon area of Hurricane, Utah, in the late 19th century. This silver deposit was unique in the world with silver ocurring in a sandstone formation.
All of these mines have … 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
The construction of the Hurricane Canal is one of Utah’s proudest stories of pioneer determination. This canal, built completely by hand, opened the Hurricane Bench to farming and the establishment of the town of Hurricane. In 1893 two local men … 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 Historic Babylon Trail is a combination of single- and two-track. The two-track section is a remnant of Pioneer mining days. It was a road used by miners to haul silver ore from the Silver Reef area to the north … 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 19, 2012 by Don Axford
This trail gives an excellent vantage point looking over the Quail Creek Reservoir to the East and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Pine Valley Mountains to the West.
Overall rating = easy
Distance: 1 mile return – … Read the rest
February 19, 2012 by Don Axford
This trail gives an excellent vantage point looking over the Quail Creek Reservoir and 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding areas. To the East is Sandstone Mountain, the Sky Mountain Golf Course, the majestic Cliffs of Zion National Park, … 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.