To get there we went to Cedar City and took highway 14 up the canyon (east) and then took highway 148 north to the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center area has a parking area, a fee booth, a campground, and a nomal National Park Visitor Center.
We got a map and decided to hike Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook trail.
The trail first takes you to Spectra Point which has beautiful views of the Cedar Breaks amphitheater. The trail to Spectra Point is one mile long and only has a slight 100 foot loss in elevation. The trail passes by a water tower and a construction area and gives you great views down into the valley far below. From the viewpoint a sign idicates that it's another mile to get to the Ramparts Overlook.
This trail loses 330 feet of elevation over the mile long trail from Spectra Point to Ramparts Overlook. The trail through here meanders into a wooded area with a small intermittent stream running on the left and side.
Once to the Overlook, we could hear the water far below which flows out of the ground and in the head waters for Ashdown Creek.
The trail heads back the same way you come in. The 10,000 foot elevation made it's presence known as I was shorter of breath than I usually am on a short hike like this is. Total my GPS registerd 3.6 miles (.4 shorter than the signs say it should have).
Looking down into the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater
Looking back up towards Spectra Point and Point Supreme Overlook from Ramparts Overlook
Looking down from Ramparts Overlook to Slip Canyon which is the main contributory of Ashdown Creek
This place is awesome. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrian Head