Aspiration Trail, St. George, Utah

Another trail only about 30 minutes from my home that I had never explored before is the Aspiration Trail. I didn't think Aspiration Trail was really something I'd enjoy because what makes the hike unique are the hundreds of painted rocks that line the trail. But because my wife suggested it, I thought I'd give it a shot.

Here's a general look at where the trail starts. A more detailed description can be found below.

Aspiration Trail is located just a short distance from where I-15 and SR-7 meet in south St George, Utah. In fact, you'll take the first exit east of I-15 on SR-7 to head north on Astragalus Drive. We parked our car where the road ends in front of the "Road Closed" signs and began walking up the rocky dirt road off to the east. You can also drive up the dirt road for about .3 of a mile to a small parking area to save a small amount of elevation gain and rocky terrain.

The trail is a moderately strenuous 2 mile loop hike. (It is only a 1.3 mile loop hike from the dirt parking area, should you drive up the dirt road a little ways). Despite calling this a "moderately strenuous" hike, it is very family friendly and was only given that label because some explorers might find the 465 foot elevation gain to be somewhat difficult. Also, be mindful that the trail is exposed to the elements making this an extremely hot hike in the summer months.

Once up the dirt road to the secondary dirt parking area, the well defined trail begins at the north side of the parking area. The painted rocks line the trail, particularly on the way up to the summit, which is marked with an American flag on top of a large cairn. Typically I like to see nature while I hike, not painted rocks on a trail, but as I continued on the trail, I found myself enjoying the sayings, pictures, and creativity of those who had placed their rocks on the trail.

After taking in the views, you can head back the same way you came or take the loop trail along the cliff edge. The loop trail does take a little longer to get back (maybe .2 of a mile) but offers better views. There are two trails that joined the main trail on the right-hand (north) side on the way back but we didn't explore them.

We all enjoyed the hike and started thinking of what creative things we could paint on rocks to leave on the trail in the future. Here's a look at the hike in pictures:

This is where we parked our car at the end of Astragalus Road. The dirt road you take to get to Aspiration Trail is just off to the right of this picture.

Here's the rocky, dirt road that we started hiking on. You can also drive up it .3 of a mile to another small parking area.

Here's the small parking area a short ways up the dirt road.

This is the beginning of the unmarked but well defined trail.

A look at Surveyor's Circle and the summit of the hike.

This is the sign that marks the summit of Aspiration Trail.

Here's a look at the trail that leads from the summit to the cairn with the flag that can be seen from I-15.

Liz, Judi, and I stop for a picture...

Here's a look at the trail as it starts it's descent...

This is a look at the parking lot from above as the trail heads back down. The trail actually heads off to the right (north) of the picture before reconnecting to the parking area.

And I'll end this trip report with a look at a couple of my favorite rocks:

"This is fine..." 

Sand Caves, Southern Utah

A couple of weeks ago, we read about a hike we thought would be fun to explore for ourselves - the Sand Caves. The Sand Caves are basically what it sounds like - Caves carved into sandstone rock high above UT hwy 89.

There are a couple of ways to get there, depending on where you are coming from. They are located about 9 miles south of the Mt Carmel Junction on Hwy 89, and about .4 of a mile south of Moqui Cave, on the east side of the highway. We took the route through Colorado City and across the Cane Beds to get there and then went through Zion National Park to get back (see map below).

There is a small parking area, or rather turnout, off on the west side of the highway. The unmarked trail starts directly across from the parking area. Before you start, if you look up at the sandstone cliffs across the highway and slightly to the south, you can see the caves.

The trail splits off in many different directions. Don't head directly towards the caves because it would be a very difficult, treacherous, steep climb up the sandstone cliff to get there. Instead, head to the cliff band north of the caves and traverse in a southward direction over the uneven slick rock to the caves. Be careful though. When sand or dirt is on the slick rock, it can make you lose your footing in a hurry!

The caves go back quite a ways and are very fun to explore. They also offer great views of the area below. On our way back we got caught in a lightning storm with flash flood inducing rain while on the slick rock which made it extremely dangerous and challenging to make it back to our car.

The hike is only slightly under a mile round trip but is a moderately strenuous due to the uneven footing on the sandstone cliffs.  Here are some pictures of our adventure:

This is a map of how to get to Mt. Carmel Junction from Hurricane, Utah. The Sand Caves are about 9 mile south of the junction on hwy 89.

This is the small parking area on the west side of hwy 89 after the rainstorm that hit us as we were coming back. 

From the parking area, looking south-east toward the Sand Caves. You can barely make out the caves just above and to the right of the yellow street sign.

Once you cross the highway, this is what the trail looks like. In the many places the trail splits, make sure to stay to the left (away from the Sand Caves) and follow the north-most trail to the base of the sandstone cliffs for an easier way to the caves.

For the most part the trail is sandy until you reach the slick rock.

Here's a look at the spot where we left the sandy trail and started hiking on the slick rock.

Liz starts the uphill trek...

The Sand Caves are off in the distance. This pictures makes the trek to them look a bit more treacherous than it is. Although it is difficult, my 6 year old made it with us with minimal help. 

Here's a look at the caves just before you enter.

Judi had lots of fun exploring the caves.

And then the rains came, making the trek down incredibly difficult.

We had to pick our way carefully so our hike wouldn't become a slip-n-slide.

You can see the water running down the slick rock in this picture! What an adventure!

Belly of the Dragon, Southern Utah

For Mother's Day, my wife wanted to do a little exploring so we decided to try out The Belly of the Dragon. Originally constructed as a covert under UT hwy89, this tunnel is a great place for families to explore.

Belly of the Dragon is located about a half mile south of the Mt Carmel Junction along hwy 89. From Hurricane, Utah, you can get there from the north by going through Zion National Park or from the south by going through Colorado City and taking the Cane Beds turnoff. We took the southern route to get there through Colorado City and returned through Zion National Park.

Here's a map shot showing the route we took to get there from Hurricane, Utah

The turn off to get there from hwy 89 is unmarked and easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for. Here are a couple of pictures of the turn off if you are heading south from Carmel Junction:

A Speed Limit sign is along the highway just before the unmarked turnoff.

The turnoff is the gravel road on the right where you can see a truck coming back onto the highway.

Here's a few looks at getting to the turn off if you're coming from the south:

The turn off is just past the metal guard on the left. Notice the blue sign on the right.

The turnoff is immediately across the street from this brown sign.

And here's a look as we're about to turn onto the dirt road that takes you to the small parking area.

This is the road that takes you a short distance to a small parking area up ahead on the left side of the dirt road.

Here's a look at the parking area.

Finding it is definitely the most difficult part of the journey. The trail starts off on a dirt road and after just a short walk, you are brought to a 5 foot drop (down climb) to get to the tunnel. The drop isn't difficult for most people but small children will need assistance. 

The tunnel is the highlight of the hike, for sure, as you walk under hwy 89 for about 100 yards. (A flashlight is a good thing to bring with you as there are sporadic rocks on the sandy tunnel bottom that can cause you to trip).  

After exiting the far side of the tunnel, you can take about a quarter mile walk on a sandy trail to a waterfall that had just a trickle of water coming down. We also took a short hike up and around the waterfall to the right to get to the top of it. 

Once above the waterfall, we didn't explore for too long, but the trail continues for as long as I could see. 

Here are some pictures from the hike:

Here's a look at the trail as it starts from the parking area and heads toward the tunnel. The tunnel starts where the dirt road ends in this picture and heads off to the left through the rock band you can see.

Here's a look at the 5 foot drop down into the tunnel.

For scope, here's a picture of me helping my 6 year-old daughter down.

Here's a look at the entrance to the tunnel.

As the trail exits the tunnel, a sandy wash leads you to a small waterfall.

This is the waterfall the wash leads you to...

Taking a step back, we decided to hike up to the top of the falls.

There are a couple of ways to get to the top. This is the way we took...

Here's a look from the top of the waterfall back down below.