View All Ads
Hiking
Brian Head, Utah is blessed with spectacular views and quiet trails. For some of the greatest views on earth, tramp the trails at Cedar Breaks National Monument just around the corner from Brian Head. Hike any of Brian Head's extensive mountain biking trails and get out there!
By Jon Van Wagoner
If you're planning a trip to Scenic Southern Utah!, you owe it to yourself to spend some time hiking the pristine wilderness and National Parks of the area . My wife Tracy and I have hiked many of the canyons here and believe that this corner of southwestern Utah to be an outdoor nirvana. Being the gateway to Zion National Park, Brian Head Peak, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Ashdown Wilderness Area, Bryce Canyon National Park, Great Basin National Park and the Grand Canyon doesn't hurt, either.
I would consider using either Cedar City or Brian Head as an home-base for your hiking vacation. There are plenty accommodations and restaurants, plus there are theaters, museums and shopping to round out the rest of your vacation. Cedar City, Utah is located on I-15, an easy drive, 3 ½ hours south of Salt Lake City and 2 ½ hours North of Las Vegas. Sky West Airlines, the Delta Connection, has two daily flights into Cedar City. For reservations call 1-800-453-9417 or go to www.delta.com. Brian Head is located 29 miles north east of Cedar City and is the heart of all the hiking action.
The hiking season here is year-round. If you want desert hiking, snowshoeing or exploring a narrow slot canyon, it's all right here. Make sure you bring along a sturdy pair of hiking boots, your camera, sun-screen, water carriers and the appropriate clothing for the season you plan on visiting. In the wi
nter it's snow season with many cross country skiing or snowshoeing possibilities at Cedar Breaks and Bryce Canyon. Spring and Fall are perfect seasons to visit this high desert area, so consider a hike to the Kolob Arch, the Angels Landing in Zion or the C- Trail in Cedar City. Summer, you'll want to do some back-country exploring of the Ashdown Wilderness area. If you do visit during these seasons, bring warm clothing and rain gear just in case. Southern Utah gets over 300 days of sunshine here so no matter when you come, bring sunglasses and sunscreen. The weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to check weather conditions before you embark on your journey and always tell someone where you are going.
I can tell you this, Tracy and I feel like we could spend our whole lives exploring this area and not see it all. It's big, expansive, breathtaking and full of adventure for climbers, hikers and anyone wanting to explore canyon country. I could go on forever and list all of my favorite hikes in this part of the country but for the purposes of this trip planning segment, I will just list a few.
1. Kolob Canyons: A trip to the Kolob section of Zion National Park is a must. This area is very scenic and within 15 minutes of Cedar City, Utah. The hike to Kolob Arch is a classic. It's an all- day hike but the view of the world's largest, free standing arch is worth the trek. This area is not crowded and it's easy to get an overnight permit for backpacking. I recommend that you do the Kolob Arch hike in either the spring or the fall, the temperatures in the summer can reach 100 degrees. There are some very nice family hiking trails in the area as well. The Middle Fork of Taylors Creek trail is about 4 hours round trip and an easy/scenic hike going past two pioneer cabins and ends at the Double Arch Alcove. There is a visitor center located at Kolob Canyons and for further information, you can call them at 435-586-9548..
2. Cedar Breaks National Monument: The high altitude Cedar Breaks National Monument is a very beautiful trip for the day. The Ramparts Rim Trail and the hike into the Alpine Pond area are lots of fun and very scenic. There is an interpretive guide available for the Alpine Pond trail that makes for a very interesting and educational hike. These hikes are short but well worth the time. This area is alpine in nature and makes a fascinating trip to the top of what is called the Grand Staircase (not to be confused with the Grand Staircase/Escalante Monument located 60 miles to the east). Brian Head Peak is over 11,000 feet in elevation and very close to Cedar Breaks. In the summer, Brian Head Resort offers chairlift rides to the top, where hikers and mountain bikers can find over 100 miles of back-country trails
3. Great Basin National Park: Make Cedar City your staging area for a trip to the Great Basin and at least one or two nights in Great Basin National Park. The drive from Cedar City is 2 ½ hours and when you arrive you will be blown area by the beautiful alpine scenery and the solitude. This National Park is a jewel that you will come back to see. The camp grounds are very nice and a hike to the top of Wheeler Peak (13,063 feet) and a trip into Lehmans cave are two definite have to dos.
4. Bryce National Park is 90 minutes from Cedar City and a beautiful drive over Cedar Mountain. A hike along the peek-a-boo loop trail or an overnight trip under the rim are two excellent choices in Bryce Canyon. Navajo Loop/Queens Garden hike is a good introduction to the canyons and limestone spires of Bryce Canyon. The hike drops into the canyon and traverses the canyon floor then back up to the rim again.
5. Zion National Park One hour south of us is the main Zion Canyon. Besides getting 20 degrees warmer (this is where we spend as much time in the winter as possible) the big walls of Zion National Park are spectacular. Big Wall climbers from all over the world come to climb Zion and hikers and backpackers love the deep canyons. The Zion Narrows, Angels Landing (4 hour hike), and the West Rim Trail are classic hikes that should be on your have to do list. Please note that you must have a back-country permit for the Zion Narrows hike. Back-country permits are available at the National Park Service Visitors Center.
Preparation: The information provided in this trip planner is a good place to start in your hiking preparation, however, you may want to purchase some maps and more in depth guidebooks. An excellent guidebook is put out by Falcon Press, called Hiking Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks, You can find this guidebook at www.falconguide.com.
Places to Stay: There are no five star hotels in all of southern Utah, but that's ok, it really doesn't fit their style any-ways. However, there are some excellent accommodations in the area that will fit just about everyone's needs and budget. A superb, full service hotel is the Cedar Breaks Lodge in Brain Head and can be reached at 1-888-AT-CEDAR. For more mid-scale lodging, I would recommend the Abbey Inn, 1-800-325-5411, and the Best Western El Rey Inn 1-800-688-6518 in Cedar City. If you want a budget motel call the Super 7, (435)586-6566 or Motel 6, (435) 586-9200 also in Cedar City.
For the camping trip, I would stay in one of the National Parks close by or the Dixie National Forest Campground 20 minutes east of Cedar City, (435)865-3200. The high altitude campground in Cedar Breaks National Monument is nice during the months of July and August (435)586-9451 or for year round camping facilities the KOA in Cedar City is an excellent choice (435)586-9872.
| Cedar Canyon Walking Trail |
Cedar City Canyon Park
east on Hwy 14.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy |
1 Hour |
3 Mile |
Spring Thru
Fall |
|
| . |
|
|
|
| Paved walking trail along the banks of Coal Creek, drinking fountains and benches. |
| Bristlecone Walking Trail |
18 miles east of Cedar City, adjacent to Hwy. 14 .
Dixie National Forest.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy |
30 min. |
1 Mile |
Summer Thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Trail traverses through a strand of spruce and fir to terminate at a strand of ancient Bristlecone Pines. Excellent view of the north fork of the Virgin River. |
| Alpine Pond Trail |
Cedar Breaks National Monument (Chessman Ridge Overlook).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy |
45 min |
2 miles |
Summer Thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Trail guide available at the trailhead. Picturesque walking trail that leads to a surreal alpine grove and pond. |
| Weeping Rock |
Zion National Park (main canyon).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy |
15 to 30 min. |
.05 mi |
Open year round-best time is in the spring |
|
|
|
|
|
| Paved trail that ends at an alcove with dripping springs, hanging rock gardens and beautiful wild-flowers. |
| Canyon Rim Trail |
Bryce Canyon National Park (Sunset Point to Sunrise Point).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy |
30 min |
1 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Easy walk along the rim of Bryce Canyon. Accessible to wheelchairs. |
| Queens Garden/Navajo Loop |
Bryce Canyon National Park (Sunset Point or Sunrise Point).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy to Moderate |
2 -3 hrs |
2.8 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Go down into the canyon and experience one of the most colorful trails in the park. Delicately shaped spires and formations, Bristlecone pines, wildlife. |
| Lower & Middle Emerald Pools |
Zion National Park (Main Canyon-Across from the Lodge).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy to Moderate |
2 hrs |
2.2 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Loop trail that takes hikers past two pools and several waterfalls. (Swimming is not allowed in the pools) |
| Ramparts Trail |
Cedar Breaks National Monument (trailhead is at the Visitors Center).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate |
2 hrs |
2 mi |
Summer thru early Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Trail edges along the plateau, through an ancient Bristlecone Pine stand and ends at spectacular view point looking back into the Cedar Breaks amphitheater. |
| C-Trail |
8 miles east of Cedar City, via 14 to Kolob Reservoir turnoff, follow to trailhead.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate |
2.5 hrs |
4.2 mi |
Late Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Steep grade down the face of Cedar Mountain. Beautiful views of the Cedar City valley. Fall is the best due to the fabulous fall colors. |
| Twisted Forest |
10 miles from Parowan, take Scenic Backway -Summit Canyon Road off Hwy 143, follow to Twisted Forest Rd and follow to trailhead.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Easy to Moderate |
1 hr |
1 mi |
Summer thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Unique features of this hike are the Bristlecone Pine trees and the view of Cedar Breaks. High elevation hike. Take time to view these ancient trees up close. |
| Taylor Creek |
Kolob Canyons-Zion National Park.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate |
4 hrs |
5 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Follows the middle fork of Taylor Creek past two homestead cabins to the Double Arch Alcove. |
| Virgin River Rim Trail |
12 miles east of Cedar City, via Hwy 14 to the Woods Ranch Recreation Area.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate |
depends |
32 mi |
Summer thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Trail can be accessed at several points (Deer Haven, Navajo Lake, Cascade Falls, Strawberry Point). Hikers can hike a mile or all 32 miles. Beautiful views of the Virgin River rim, the northern terrace of Zion National Park. |
| Angels Landing |
Zion National Park (Main Canyon, start at the Grotto Picnic Area).
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate to Difficult |
4 hrs |
5 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| Strenuous hike that goes up Walters Wiggles and ends at the summit high above Zion canyon. Last .5 mi |
| Kolob Arch |
Kolob Canyons- Zion National Park. Starts at the La Verkin Creek Trailhead.
| Difficulty |
Time |
Distance
(round trip) |
Best Season |
| Moderate to Difficult |
all day |
4.4 mi |
Spring thru Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
| See the world's largest free standing arch, the Kolob Arch. Trail follows the La Verkin Creek into the Kolob wilderness. Can be very hot in the summer months. |
Hiker tips:
- Tell someone where you are going
- Get detailed maps and information from the Dixie National Forest or the National Park Service
- Check to see if you need a back country permit for any overnight trips
- Take plenty of water
- Pack out all trash
- No fires
- Check weather conditions before embarking on your journey
|
Seasons in Brian Head