Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Including Snow Canyon State Park

"At the merging of three great ecosystems, the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau, the reserve is biologically rich with an array of animals and plants rarely seen in one place. The reserve contains the most northern populations of the desert tortoise, Gila monster, sidewinder rattlesnake, and chuckwalla – reptiles typically associated with hotter and more southerly deserts, like the Mojave. A significant portion of the shrubs in this area, such as blackbrush, are more commonly associated with the cooler Great Basin Desert. The conditions in the region are such that several endemic species, those which occur no where else in the world, are found here.

"The reserve was established in 1996 to protect a large, diverse, and functional expanse of habitat capable of sustaining wildlife populations threatened by rapid development and habitat loss across Washington County in southwestern Utah. Located immediately adjacent to several growing communities, the reserve also protects the cities' scenic red rock backdrop and an increasingly popular area for recreation."

(The preceding was excerpted from Official Web site)

  LINK TO OFFICIAL RED CLIFFS DESERT RESERVE WEB PAGE and Map!

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HikingwithMike's Hiking, Backpacking & Wilderness Survival School

Conducted in and about St. George, Utah.

HIKINGWITHMIKE'S TRAIL REVIEWS - I HAVE PERSONALLY HIKED ALL TRAILS REVIEWED BELOW.

Click on this Link for Trail Map

NOTE:  All distances are my personal estimates, not actually measured.

• PROSPECTOR TRAIL - This relatively flat trail runs for roughly 7 miles along the southeastern  border of the Reserve, never far north of I-15, from Harrisburg (Red Cliffs Road) to Grapevine Pass & Grapevine Wash where it joins the Grapevine Trail about a mile from the Grapevine Trailhead.  It is a multi-use (bikes, horses, hikers, runners), with some sandy sections.  This fairly easy trail passes by the Cottonwood Trailhead junction about 3 miles west of the Red Cliffs Road trailhead.  Cellular phone coverage exists in many spots along this trail.  No water exists for most of the year.  Excellent views to the north of the red cliffs and rock formations make this an enjoyable hike for those not up to the exertion required to gain closer views.  

• COTTONWOOD HILLS TRAIL - A hike of about two and one half miles to junction with Spanish Wash through rolling hills - moderately difficult - take plenty of water as trail is totally dry - depart Cottonwood Trailhead.  Trailhead is reached from Old Highway 91, which runs parallel to I-15 just north of Hwy. 9 junction; watch for difficult-to-see sign on north side of road between commercial buildings, and just before road turns to gravel; you will go under I-15 to northwest side of highway.  To complete a loop of about 5.5 miles, drop south down sandy Spanish Wash to junction with Prospector Trail, then turn back east about two miles until you reconnect with beginning of Cottonwood Hills Trail.  This lowlands hike is relatively flat with rolling hills - no overly strenuous climbs or steep grades.  Excellent for an introduction to desert hiking and landscape.  Beautiful views.  Cell phone access exists in many spots along the trail  

• COTTONWOOD CANYON TRAIL - ***** Highly rated hike, by HikingwithMike.com.  I hiked the full length of Cottonwood Canyon on 5/27 & 5/28/2005, accompanied by my friend Larry.  I had previously and often hiked both the northwestern end and the southeastern end, but this was my first through hike.  We started out from Danish Ranch Road, which leaves Silver Reef in Leeds and traverses the top of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve until it drops in to St. George.  The trailhead is well west of Yant Flat and Danish Ranch.  The trailhead sign, normally on the south side of the road,  was down, but the GPS indicated that we were at W 113° 30' 135" and N 37° 14' 401".  On your USGS 7.5 minute Topo map (Harrisburg Junction Quadrangle), you will drop south into the creek bed at almost the exact point that Danish Ranch Road and the west edge of your map meet.  The rugged, unmarked route follows the Cottonwood Creek drainage southeast about 8.0 to 8.5 miles before climbing out of the canyon and running another half mile or so to the Cottonwood Trailhead, immediately north of I-15.  Because I have found NO complete description of this route, I made it an overnighter, to be on the safe side.   The Cottonwood drainage is bone-dry most of the year, so water is a critical matter, but I chose my dates well, and was greeted by a full flow the entire length, due to the heavy snow melt in the Pine Valley Mountains north.  2005 had seen a record rainfall and the snow melt was substantial.  We had temperatures ranging from 87° at the beginning to the low 90s farther south.  The water in the creek was full of sediment.  To avoid fouling my filter, I first strained it through my bandana and into a gallon milk jug.  I let that sit for about thirty minutes, then filtered the water into our water bottles.  Do not tackle this hike, rated strenuous,  in the summer, unless you know it well and carry substantial water - at least three gallons (25 pounds of weight).  In the summer, the hike would be rated very strenuous due to the heat and absence of water.  Danish Ranch Road is a difficult and potentially dangerous road in the winter - be careful - rain makes the surface extremely slippery and leaving the road in some sections would prove fatal.  You will need to shuttle to do a through hike.  This is a comfortable backpacking trip, or a long, strenuous  day hike.  The distance one-way is around nine miles, but the canyon and streambed make the hike take much longer than the distance would suggest.  The elevation loss north to south is about 1,300'.  Plan on traveling about 1 mile per hour due to the boulder strewn terrain, which requires frequent adjustments.  The canyon offers fantastic canyon views and rock formations, and the streambed offers many interesting natural sights, including narrows, sandstone sculptures, rippled, petrified sand dunes, and abundant spring wild flowers.  The most fantastic views can be found at about the half-way point.  They remind me of the geological formations found in Snow Canyon State Park.  Flash floods could be a problem, so take extreme care if thunderstorms have been forecast.  I rate this a must-do hike, but caution against attempting it during summer months.

• CHURCH ROCKS TRAIL - This loop trail, most easily accessed from the Grapevine Trailhead, runs for about 1 and 1/2 mile, departing from the Grapevine Trail Junction with Prospector Trail, which is about 1 mile east of the Grapevine Trailhead.  The loop route heads north then east before turning back west to join the Prospector Trail's western extent; at this point one may either return west to the trailhead or head east for Cottonwood Trailhead about 3 miles away - a car shuttle would be required.  The Church Rocks Trail is used frequently by mountain bikers.  The rock formations are the main draw for this trail, as is the ease of access.    

• ARCH TRAIL - This hike is rated moderately strenuous due to sandy sections as one nears the Arch and river beyond it, as well as the climb back over the Sandstone Mountain section.  Drive south from the signed road a little east of Leeds, taking a graded dirt road to the north side of Sandstone Mountain.  Park at the parking area and hike directly south and  down a gully, then up to the base of the western section of Sandstone Mountain.  You will pass by the primitive camp site, where you will see the trail through the boulders.  You will descend through boulders for about a quarter mile, then reach a hilltop/ridge with a very steep descent - take the footpath to the right or you will miss the Arch - both the left and right paths rejoin beyond the Arch.  The free-standing Arch is well worth the hike, especially if you have never seen an natural arch.  This is a dry trek, so take plenty of water for this hike, which will take about two hours or less roundtrip.  Watch for Raptors.  

• VIRGIN RIVER TRAIL - You won't have issues with water on this trail, which follows the Virgin River as it cuts its way southwest to the Virgin River Gorge.  That is, not as long as you carry a water filter of purification tablets.  Watch for quicksand - not all that dangerous as it is not normally more than a foot or two deep.  Just go flat and swim your way to safety.  Quicksand is really nothing more than sand-thickened water  or watery sand.  Beware when crossing the river - stay to rocky, solid crossings.  Test river bed with your hiking stick, or carefully with your own weight.  If you begin to sink, don't panic - just flatten out and swim with a crawl to the point from which you just entered the quicksand.  Quicksand is actually more buoyant than water alone.  
  The Virgin River Trail runs west from the northernmost extent of 200 West in Hurricane.  Park at the dead end without blocking driveways or traffic, and go through gate.  Drop northwest into the gorge until you reach the river; the trail is on the south side of the river.  This trail offers numerous opportunities for crossing over and exploring the southern face of the Sandstone Mountain range.  Definitely check your map carefully for excellent cross country links to other trails, such as the Red Tail Trail, Arch Trail, Little Purgatory Trail, Historic Babylon Trail, or to the primitive campground on the north side of Sandstone Mountain.  It is also possible to ascend the cliffs to your south by trail near the electrical station atop the cliffs (about 5 and 1/2 miles in) and beneath Sky Mountain Golf Course near Gould's Wash (about 3 and 1/2 miles in).  A substantial waterfall exists about 3/4 mile up the Gould's Wash; check it out, especially during the winter and spring months.  Take care when crossing the river during high water flow - it takes little more than a foot of moving water to knock a person down.  Filter all water as it is not pure.  Farm, cities of Hurricane and LaVerkin and golf course pollutants are found in the river, and livestock pollutes the river year-round.  This trail is rated strenuous due to its length, river crossings, sandy sections and indistinct trail sections.  It is well worth the effort, as it offers dramatic views above the river, and offers a superior lesson for those interested in geology.  Take sandals for river crossings - I wear them for most of the route.  I live directly above the river and south of the Sandstone Mountain, so this is an area I know intimately.  Watch for Raptors.

• SIDEWINDER TRAIL - This trail, like the Arch Trail, may be difficult to locate and follow, but it is worth the challenge.  It is is nearly impossible to get hopelessly lost as the Sandstone Mountain is always visible - a landmark or "railing."  The mile-long Sidewinder Trail connects the Arch Trail at a point not far north of the Arch with the Sandstone Mountain Trail.  Like the Arch Trail's upper portion, the Sidewinder Trail snakes its way through boulders and rugged, rocky stretches.  I rate is moderately strenuous.  Watch for Raptors.

• SPANISH WASH TRAIL - A sandy hike of less than 1 mile, one way, this trail is really only a link between Cottonwood Hills Trail and Prospector Trail.  Take care during heavy rains for flash flood dangers.  Moderately strenuous due to sandy footing.  About a quarter mile into the wash, where the trail climbs up onto a hill, look west into the wash for an interesting geological formation, a small slot canyon created by water erosion. 

• RED REEF TRAIL - Depart Red Cliffs Recreation Area/Campground, north of Harrisburg - Trailhead is at northwest corner of campground.  You will encounter a couple of ten to twenty foot dry falls with toe holds and ropes to aid ascent.  The first is within a quarter mile of trailhead.  The hike is rated strenuous due to length, ruggedness, indistinct trail sections, dry falls and boulders.  This hike is not recommended for inexperienced canyon/desert hikers.  Heat, exposure to the sun, lack of water, navigation difficulty and challenging drops or ascents for some, make this a potentially tough hike.   

• BROKEN MESA RIM TRAIL - A short hike - rated easy to moderate with a moderate climb - an out and back hike of about one hour.  Views of St. George to the south and west.

NOTE:  Dogs are required to be leashed at all times throughout the Reserve.  Additionally, I highly advise that you check canine paws often for thorns, fox tails, cacti needles, heat burns from super hot sand or cuts to the pads from sharp rocks.  I carry booties for difficult stretches and hot sand.  Help your pet to avoid rattlesnakes, cacti thorns, precipitous edges and other hazards by keeping them close and under control at all times.  Please do not allow your dog to disturb wildlife.  Finally, as arid climates do not allow waste to easily dissipate, it is recommended that you not bury the solid waste, but that you carry out your waste and that of your pet - take plastic bags.  

CRYPTOBIOTIC SOILS / CRUSTS?  WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT SHOULD THEY MEAN TO YOU?  CLICK HERE TO LEARN IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL FACTS ABOUT THIS FRAGILE DESERT ENVIRONMENT.

SNOW CANYON STATE PARK

OFFICIAL WEB SITE

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