Utah – Page 13 – On the Loose Live

Forsyth Trail: Fine Trail With Fantastic Views, Pine Valley, UT

October 6, 2020September 29, 2024livevigorously

Difficulty: Butt Kicker

Elevation Gain: ~3,490

Total Distance: ~11 Miles RT

Forsyth is a kinder, more gentle trail than the Brown’s Point Trail and it offers an even greater reward—far more splendid, panoramic views. Don’t get me wrong, they are both great hikes, but if you can only do one, it should be Forsyth for the gurgling stream that runs alongside the trail for miles and the stellar views at the top. The first 3.5+ miles are mostly shaded with a steady incline. Once you hit the 3.5 mark, the trail takes off its kid gloves and puts your fitness to the test by packing a powerful punch of elevation gain into the last 1.5+ miles. Despite that elevation-packed punch at the end, I’d say this trail is MUCH easier than Brown’s Point Trail even though the mileage difference is less a 1/2 mile and the elevation difference is just a couple hundred feet. If you’re into peak bagging, there are add-on options to Burger Peak (~11.8 miles & 4,268 feet elevation) and Signal Peak. (I’ll update if / when I do those 2.)

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Summer 2023 Update

Our rainy winter rewarded us with a refreshing trailside stream up to mile 4. That’s the good news. The bad news—lots of biting flies and mosquitos. Pro tip: Bring bug spray and be on the alert for tics.

Fall 2024

Getting There: Turn left onto FR 035/E Main St/Pine Valley Rd and right at the sign for Forsyth Trail / Meadows Dr / U1212.

Notes: Dog-friendly

Happy Trails!

Ashdown Gorgeous: Chasing Waterfalls

September 7, 2020September 9, 2024livevigorously

Distance: ~7-9+ miles RT (Length depends upon how high the water is running and how many crossings are needed)

Elevation gain: ~700-1k FT Gradual Gain

Difficulty: Not technically difficult, but not for tenderfoots either. Teva or Keen style water shoes, old trail runners, or waterproof hikers are highly recommended as you are constantly in and out of the creek and the terrain is all rock, all the time. There is a wonderful payoff for those who persevere.

Spoiler alert:

Ashdown Gorge Trail is an out and back, slot canyon trail that follows a rocky, turquoise creek as it flows under overhangs and between shear limestone cliffs. The views are spectacular and dizzying at times.

This is a refreshing hike with plenty of opportunities to cool off. If you’re hiking on a cool day, the water crossings can be chilly.I hiked it a couple weeks ago and jumped into a little pool. This time, Labor Day weekend, it was too chilly for me to dunk in under the falls. Low temps in the area are dropping into the 30s next week.

Notes: At mile 3.5, the creek/trail forks. (It’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention.) Take the trail to the left to discover the 2 wonderful waterfalls of Lake Creek and Rattlesnake Creek (adds 2 miles roundtrip). Stay straight to experience the slot canyon cracking open to the big sky of the gorge. Be prepared for weather, and don’t attempt this hike if there is rain in the forecast as there’s the danger of flash floods.

Photo update from September 2022. Leaves beginning to change. Ashdown Gorge never disappoints.

Happy Trails!

Tip: Post hike libations and sustenance at Don Miquel’s or the Centro Woodfired Pizzeria in Cedar City highly recommended.

Getting there: 15N to exit 57 to UT-130 to UT 14E UT (about 15 minutes form Cedar City) You can access the trail via the large pullout area along the 14 or via the Rattlesnake Trail, Crystal Springs / Potato Hollow Trail.

Pine Valley Butt Kicker Rewards With Spectacular Views

August 23, 2020August 26, 2020livevigorously

Difficulty: Butt Kicker/ Great Workout!

Elevation Gain: 3,491ft

Starting elevation: 6, 900ft

Total Distance: 9.35 Miles

Looking for a great foresty hike that will challenge you and then reward you with spectacular views? This is it. Basically, stumbled upon it in search of another trail. It’s a bit rugged / rocky so hiking shoes are a must. Also, you’ll want to stay alert as you slog steadily up or stumble slowly down, there are a couple points where it’s relatively easy to lose the trail.

The route I followed was the Brown’s Point Trail to the Summit Trail. (A bit confusing as the so-called summit trail descends at one point and never reaches a summit.) Almost turned around at the next junction, but decided to check out the “Oak Grove Trail” another ½ mile or so up another rise. Well, it was absolutely worth it as there was a spectacular summit view. (Didn’t really notice an oak grove, but definitely noticed the panoramic view.) Target the top if you do this hike –enjoy the panoramic views from 10K ft as far out as 47 miles to Quail Creek and Sand Hollow in St. George / Washington area. The pictures don’t begin to do it justice!

Follow the first paved road to the right BEFORE you pass the entrance gate to the Browns Point Trail head and parking.

Scouting Scout’s Cave, Snow Canyon, St.George, UT

July 30, 2020October 15, 2020livevigorously

Distance: 5.5 miles Round trip

Difficulty: Easy, but there is another option via Paradise Rim that’s a little more rugged / interesting.

stairway to heaven — Stairway to heavenly views

Great hike, cool cave, splendid views!

Not a bad spot for a little yoga practice too.

Need I say more? I think not. If you’re in the area for a limited time, this is a good one for your “to do” list.

Getting there: Snow Canyon State Park, Ivins’ entrance. The trailhead is on the right before you reach the park gate. Park in the lot on the left. If you’d like a little more challenging / rugged approach, you can take Lakota Drive to the trailhead for Paradise Rim and come in from the backside. You can also add on a couple miles (~2 each way) if you park at the Chuckwalla parking lot and take the Turtle Rock Trail to connect to the Paradise Rim trail. Anyway, you go, you can’t go wrong.

A little more choppy and a little more climbing on the Paradise Rim Trail

Wandering the Whipple Valley Trail, Pine Valley, UT

July 29, 2020September 8, 2020livevigorously

Distance: 12 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 2,776 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation gain & distance

A trip to the mountains is closer than you might think. From St, George. Pine Valley is a mere 30 miles away, but it’s worlds away in so many ways—at an elevation of 6,800, the temperature averages a refreshing ~20 degrees less than St. George.

Indeed when you enter picturesque, historic pine valley, you have arrived at an entirely different ecosystem. Mountain scenery and the Dixie Mountain Forest greet you.

If you’re looking for a wonderful hike in the woods and a solid workout, the Whipple Valley Trail will not disappoint. (It could more apply be named the Switchback Trail.) The single track trail terrain is running shoe friendly and will challenge your fitness level with a gradual, but insistently, consistent climb. At the beginning and end of the hike, you’ll be treated to the nature’s soundtrack of a gurgling stream.

Views of Pine Valley from the trail are lovely and Whipple Valley is delightful. I’ll admit the valley felt incomplete to me as I found myself yearning to take a dip in an alpine lake. (Yes there’s the reservoir back at the campground and I could have soaked my feet in the stream on the way back, but that’s just not the same.)

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While I found the hike enjoyable and a great workout, I’m not sure I would do it again. This spoiled hiking snob found the views a bit repetitive and the hike a bit long for just a pretty valley reward. If you’ve got mountain fever and need some relief from the heat, this Pine Valley hike is a perfect fix.

You can continue the journey from the Whipple Valley juncture, perhaps I’ll explore those options from another starting point on another day.

Getting there: From St. George take the 18N and follow the signs for Pine Valley. Hike starts near the back of the campground.