Hamilton Fort, UT

Hamilton Fort

HAMILTON FORT In 1852 Peter Shirts located a ranch on Sidon Creek, later known as Shirts Creek. He offered John Hamilton half the water to come and settle there. Hamilton came with his family and Peter Fife. When Walker Indian War broke out they moved to Cedar City but returned in 1855. The three families built an adobe fort enclosing one-fourth acre, 95 feet square, walls three feet thick; houses formed part of wall. Soon Jonathan Pugmire, Samuel White and others came. In 1869 a new location for Hamilton Fort was selected on the main thoroughfare.

Site Information

Location: S Hwy. 91

CEDAR CITY

IRON County

Johnson’s Fort Exit on I-15, 3.6 m S. of Cedar City on frontage road

Hamilton Fort, UT

Hamilton Fort

HAMILTON FORT In 1852 Peter Shirts located a ranch on Sidon Creek, later known as Shirts Creek. He offered John Hamilton half the water to come and settle there. Hamilton came with his family and Peter Fife. When Walker Indian War broke out they moved to Cedar City but returned in 1855. The three families built an adobe fort enclosing one-fourth acre, 95 feet square, walls three feet thick; houses formed part of wall. Soon Jonathan Pugmire, Samuel White and others came. In 1869 a new location for Hamilton Fort was selected on the main thoroughfare.

Site Information

Location: S Hwy. 91

CEDAR CITY

IRON County

Johnson’s Fort Exit on I-15, 3.6 m S. of Cedar City on frontage road

The C Trail, Cedar City, Utah

Cedar Valley, seen from the top of the C Trail

Getting there: On Cedar City’s north-south Main Street, turn east (towards the mountain) on 400 South. Drive to 300 East and turn right (south). Find a spot to park near the water tank.

The C Trail
For Mountain Bikers The C Trail is Cedar City’s incredible downhill romp. NOT a trail for beginning riders, this is a super-twisty flight straight down Cedar Mountain to the edge of the city. The downhill singletrack is 4.5 miles in length, dropping 2300 vertical feet (peak altitude 8400 ft) through a gazillion tight turns, and would be rated advanced-intermediate technical. The loop using Greens Lake Drive is 10.5 miles and is very strenuous aerobic.
Options: (1) Point-to point with a shuttle. Strictly downhill. (2) Out-and-back. Granny-gear, but it can be done. (3) Road tour. Pavement up the canyon, right on the Kolob Reservoir road, then trail for a 16-mile loop. (4) “Allergic to Pavement” Loop. Head past the lower trailhead, climb dirt road for 10.5 mile loop.
Out-and-Back: Leave your car at the water tank (see map). Head south past the tank, then climb onto the levee to your left and continue south. When you reach the semicircular flood control dike, drop off onto the dirt road to continue straight. Just before you come to the far side of the flood basin, watch for a singletrack heading up into the junipers at 0.45 miles. A trailhead sign is hidden behind the trees about 30 feet up the trail. Now head uphill.

Trail layout or conditions may change. Use this guide at your own risk.

Loop using Greens Lake Drive: As above, leave your car at the water tank (see map). Climb onto the levee to your left and continue south. Cross TWO flood control basins, aiming for the homes just downhill from the second water tank. As you draw near the homes, spot a path between the homes and drop onto a street, still heading south. About 100 yards later at mile 1.35, the street will reach Greens Lake Drive, a paved road heading east uphill. Turn left and start uphill. The road immediately turns to gravel and becomes steep. Once you reach the homes, the road will become Cedar Highlands Drive. Keep on this main road until you reach the paved Kolob Reservoir road at mile 5.7. Turn left and cross the cattle guard, then turn left onto the dirt road leading to the overlook. The trail drops off on the left-hand side of the overlook.
Getting there: On Cedar City’s north-south Main Street, turn east (towards the mountain) on 400 South. Drive to 300 East and turn right (south). Find a spot to park near the water tank.

The C Trail, Cedar City, Utah

For the shuttle option or road loop, head back north on 300 East to 400 South, then jog east (right) one block, turn north again on 400 East. At Center Street, turn right (east towards the mountains) and head up the canyon. Five miles up the canyon, turn right on the Kolob Reservoir road. Watch for a tiny sign marking the C Overlook at mile 4.6, just before a fence with a cattleguard. Turn right into the parking area of the overlook.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary & Angel’s Rest Cemetary, UT

Angel Canyon, Kanab, UT

Angel Canyon

Millions of years ago, Angel Canyon was a shallow sea, home to dinosaurs at the beginning of the Jurassic Era. (You might see some 3-toed dino footprints during your walks in Angel Canyon.) The earliest humans came to Angel Canyon about 11,000 years ago.

Seven locations in the canyon are noted for their beauty and the atmosphere of peace and healing that emanates from them. The first is Petroglyph Rock.

The figures on the wall of Petroglyph Rock were carved about a thousand years ago by people known as the Anasazi or Hisatzanome.

Nobody has completely deciphered the meaning of all the petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings) of the Anasazi. But they share a unique characteristic when compared to the rock art of almost every other ancient civilization of the world. Nowhere, among all the pictures and carvings, will you ever see a depiction of war, violence, slavery, subjugation, or any other form of aggression.

On the popular TV show, the Lone Ranger and Tonto took refuge in Angels Landing, a huge dome-shaped cave of red sandstone at the heart of Angel Canyon.

But long before the Lone Ranger or, indeed, any other European settlers came here, Angels Landing had been a sacred gathering place for thousands of years. Nearby, you can see evidence of people who settled here more than 10,000 years ago.

Underground Lake

A short path at the top of the pasture leads down sharply to a cave full of dark, still, chilly water that quickly curves around and goes out of sight. Bats nest in the cracks of the rock over the lake during the day, then swarm out at sundown.

Angel's Rest Pet Cemetary

Angel’s Rest

The entrance gate depicts a dog and cat with rabbits perched on their backs, surrounded by flowers in bloom. Colorful rocks form walls that hold urns, vases, and memorials. Stones and markers proclaim, “Always in our hearts,” “The best wee cat in the whole wide world,” and other loving sentiments.

Animal statues dot the landscape – a napping cat, a smiling sheepdog, an elegant owl, and many others

Anasazi Kiva

a kiva, a small circular building, built partially underground, in one of the caves that was home to a community of the Anasazi people.

The kiva was the heart of the community – most likely a ceremonial room where the people would gather on special days for prayer or purification.

Handprint Cave

Faint petroglyphs (carvings in the stone) and pictographs (paintings) decorate the walls of this cave home. The paint is red and yellow, colors that were painstakingly distilled from the iron oxide that gives the cliffs those same colors.

But your attention is immediately, almost hypnotically, drawn to the handprints.

They’re quite small. Perhaps the hands of a young person, although the adults were not large people and the prints have been carefully placed on the walls with no smudges.

Dinosaur Traces

Near the caves, millions of years earlier, a family of dinosaurs walked by and left their huge, three-toed footprints in the red sand one rainy day. The sand dried and the prints remained.

From Kanab

The entrance to Best Friends is about five miles north of Kanab on the east (right) side of Hwy 89. Between the 69 and 70 mile markers, a green highway sign indicates Kanab Canyon. Turn into Kanab Canyon and drive about 1.5 miles to the Welcome Center, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Simple tire repairs in the backcountry

Now…the BackCountry Tire Essentials in no particular order of importance (all carry some significance..some more than others):

Tire Tools

lug wrench (correct size)

puncture repair kit (rubber plugs and cement with tool)

fix-a-flat (various brands in aerosol cans..used to instantly but temporarily fix a slow leak)

high-lift jack (I like to carry a flat block of wood to use as a base for even more elevation…and to get stability for the jack in soft soil or mud)

replacement valve for a leaky or damaged valve stem

D/C small plug in air pump (or even a bicycle or foot pump will do in a pinch)

A trick learned from contractors to fix a flat is , pull out a box of screws, find right size screw.  Pull out a cordless drill and insert a screw into hole in tire.  Then pull out your compressor fill tire with tank pressure. Threads in a simple screw will hold it in the tire till you get to a tire shop. A solar or battery powered pump a screw and screwdriver can saves a lot of anxiety.

Carry at least one inflated spare tire (preferably two), a can of fix-a-flat or tire plug kit, a 12-volt air-compressor, a lugwrench, can be your best friend when encountering a flat in the back country and be sure all parts of your jack are on hand. Know how to use your equipment before you head out.

The Proper way:

If you happen to have a flat while away from your home and are not confident in being able to plug the tire you should install the spare tire and try plugging the flat once you return to the comfort of your home. Using a plug kit generally requires that you have access to compressed air in order to re-inflate your tire once it has been plugged; portable 12v compressors are handy for this. If you have sidewall damage then go straight to the spare and take the tire to a repair shop to be evaluated. The sidewall of a tire is much weaker than the tread and often times will not properly hold a plug. Only use the canned “Fix-A-Flat” type repair in an emergency when you cannot or do not feel safe trying another repair method, the material in the can is generally flammable and messy to remove.The plug can be applied to the tire while it is mounted on the vehicle if you are able to reach the damaged area, stabilize the vehicle with your jack first since the tire will be loosing air pressure (this can be dangerous). I recommend you remove the tire for the repair, this will make the damage easier to get to and therefore more likely you will apply the plug correctly and it is safer.Here is a simple plug kit I picked up for about eight bucks at the local auto parts store:

.

The plug can be applied to the tire while it is mounted on the vehicle if you are able to reach the damaged area, stabilize the vehicle with your jack first since the tire will be loosing air pressure (this can be dangerous). I recommend you remove the tire for the repair, this will make the damage easier to get to and therefore more likely you will apply the plug correctly and it is safer.

Here is a simple plug kit I picked up for about eight bucks at the local auto parts store:

1. The first step is to locate the offending foreign object in your tire

2. Remove the Object…..

3. Put 2-3 drops of the rubber cement on the tip of the probe and insert the probe into the puncture. Work the probe in and out while twisting to clean and prep the puncture and apply the cement. This process will also enlarge the hole to that the plug will fit through; because of this the first couple of insertions can be difficult. Repeat this process 2-3 times to make sure the puncture is clean and that there is enough cement in the wound.

4. Take each end of the repair strip, this is the plug, and roll the center of the strip into the needle eye. Apply 2-3 drops of rubber cement to the end of the needle and push the needle into the puncture leaving about ¼ inch above the surface of the tire. The needle can be difficult to push through depending on the size of the puncture.

5. Twist the handle ¼ turn and pull the needle out of the tire, the plug should not come out with the needle. Now cut the remaining plug down to about 1/8 of an inch

Congratulations, you have finished the plug. The tire should be drivable almost immediately. I have used many plugs and never had a problem with them leaking or coming out of the tire. The manufacturer of the kit recommends that you have the tire inspected by a professional afterwards, but I consider the plugs permanent. Be sure to air the tire back up to recommended specs and if you have removed the wheel be sure to properly torque the lugs nuts after you reinstall it.

Now…the BackCountry Tire Essentials in no particular order of importance (all carry some significance..some more than others):

Tire Tools

• lug wrench (correct size)
• puncture repair kit (rubber plugs and cement with tool)
• fix-a-flat (various brands in aerosol cans..used to instantly but temporarily fix a slow leak)
• high-lift jack (I like to carry a flat block of wood to use as a base for even more elevation…and to get stability for the jack in soft soil or mud)
• replacement valve for a leaky or damaged valve stem
• D/C small plug in air pump (or even a bicycle or foot pump will do in a pinch)

A trick learned from contractors to fix a flat is , pull out a box of screws, find right size screw.  Pull out a cordless drill and insert a screw into hole in tire.  Then pull out your compressor fill tire with tank pressure. Threads in a simple screw will hold it in the tire till you get to a tire shop. A solar or battery powered pump a screw and screwdriver can saves a lot of anxiety.

Carry at least one inflated spare tire (preferably two), a can of fix-a-flat or tire plug kit, a 12-volt air-compressor, a lugwrench, can be your best friend when encountering a flat in the back country and be sure all parts of your jack are on hand. Know how to use your equipment before you head out.

The Proper way:

If you happen to have a flat while away from your home and are not confident in being able to plug the tire you should install the spare tire and try plugging the flat once you return to the comfort of your home. Using a plug kit generally requires that you have access to compressed air in order to re-inflate your tire once it has been plugged; portable 12v compressors are handy for this. If you have sidewall damage then go straight to the spare and take the tire to a repair shop to be evaluated. The sidewall of a tire is much weaker than the tread and often times will not properly hold a plug. Only use the canned “Fix-A-Flat” type repair in an emergency when you cannot or do not feel safe trying another repair method, the material in the can is generally flammable and messy to remove.The plug can be applied to the tire while it is mounted on the vehicle if you are able to reach the damaged area, stabilize the vehicle with your jack first since the tire will be loosing air pressure (this can be dangerous). I recommend you remove the tire for the repair, this will make the damage easier to get to and therefore more likely you will apply the plug correctly and it is safer.A simple plug kit can be picked up for about eight bucks at the local auto parts store.

The plug can be applied to the tire while it is mounted on the vehicle if you are able to reach the damaged area, stabilize the vehicle with your jack first since the tire will be loosing air pressure (this can be dangerous). I recommend you remove the tire for the repair, this will make the damage easier to get to and therefore more likely you will apply the plug correctly and it is safer.

• The first step is to locate the offending foreign object in your tire
• Remove the Object…..
• Put 2-3 drops of the rubber cement on the tip of the probe and insert the probe into the puncture. Work the probe in and out while twisting to clean and prep the puncture and apply the cement. This process will also enlarge the hole to that the plug will fit through; because of this the first couple of insertions can be difficult. Repeat this process 2-3 times to make sure the puncture is clean and that there is enough cement in the wound.
• Take each end of the repair strip, this is the plug, and roll the center of the strip into the needle eye. Apply 2-3 drops of rubber cement to the end of the needle and push the needle into the puncture leaving about ¼ inch above the surface of the tire. The needle can be difficult to push through depending on the size of the puncture.
• Twist the handle ¼ turn and pull the needle out of the tire, the plug should not come out with the needle. Now cut the remaining plug down to about 1/8 of an inch

Congratulations, you have finished the plug. The tire should be drivable almost immediately. I have used many plugs and never had a problem with them leaking or coming out of the tire. The manufacturer of the kit recommends that you have the tire inspected by a professional afterwards, but I consider the plugs permanent.  Be sure to air the tire back up to recommended specs and if you have removed the wheel be sure to properly torque the lugs nuts after you reinstall it.

Mammoth Cave, UT

Mammoth Cave

This is a fun adventure off the beaten path. Make sure to take a bright flashlight for each person. There is more than one tunnel in the cave and some people pull themselves through a small opening on their bellies to an opening at the other end.  The cave is about a half-mile long. Caution:  At the end of the cave there is water seepage and it becomes slippery.  Do wear closed toe shoes because the rocks in here are sharp and you are making you way with just a light. It is pitch dark inside.

Mammoth Cave

For more information call the Cedar City Ranger District at 435-865-3200.

Mammoth Cave Flyer

Grave Site : Battle of Piute Pass

Battle of Paiute Pass

On July 15, 1884, a U. S. Calvary scout named Joseph S. Wormington and a cowboy names James “Rowdy” Higgins were killed in a battle with indians at nearby Paiute Pass. These men were part of a posse of cattlemen and Sixth Calvary – F – troop soldiers from Fort Lewis, Colorado who were chasing a band of renegade Ute and Paiute indians led by Mancos Jim. The indians had stolen 150 head of horses from the round-up grounds in Verdure, Utah. After a 75 mile chase the Utes and Paiutes led the possee and soldiers into an ambush. Two months after the battle, prospectors Cass Hite and Joe Duckett found and buried the remains. The Utes and Paiutes were watching the U. S. Government absorb their homelands. They fought back in the only way they knew how. The soldier gave his life in the service of his country. The cowboy did the tough job he was paid to do and a little more. All of them played out their heroic roles in this epoch struggle to settle the old west.

Grave Site : Battle of Piute Pass

Battle of Paiute Pass

On July 15, 1884, a U. S. Calvary scout named Joseph S. Wormington and a cowboy names James “Rowdy” Higgins were killed in a battle with indians at nearby Paiute Pass. These men were part of a posse of cattlemen and Sixth Calvary – F – troop soldiers from Fort Lewis, Colorado who were chasing a band of renegade Ute and Paiute indians led by Mancos Jim. The indians had stolen 150 head of horses from the round-up grounds in Verdure, Utah. After a 75 mile chase the Utes and Paiutes led the possee and soldiers into an ambush.

Location : Battle of Piute Pass

Two months after the battle, prospectors Cass Hite and Joe Duckett found and buried the remains. The Utes and Paiutes were watching the U. S. Government absorb their homelands. They fought back in the only way they knew how. The soldier gave his life in the service of his country. The cowboy did the tough job he was paid to do and a little more. All of them played out their heroic roles in this epoch struggle to settle the old west.

Location of Grave Site

Capitol Reef National Park, Petroglyph Pullout – UT

THE PETROGLYPH PULLOUT WALK

After a leisurely tour of the museum displays in the Visitor Center, take a walk along the “Petroglyph Pullout” on Utah Hwy 24, 1 1/2 miles east of the Visitor Center. Petroglyphs and pictographs, the so-called “rock art” of prehistoric peoples, have long held a special fascination for young and old alike. From the parking area, a short path leads to the base of the Wingate Sandstone cliff. Visible from this viewpoint are some of the most interesting petroglyph panels at Capitol Reef (see photo above).

Please DO NOT attempt to climb the talus slope in front of you. Use a telephoto lens for close-up photographs. Rock art panels are very fragile and many have already been seriously damaged through vandalism, carelessness, or ignorance. DO NOT TOUCH ANY PETROGLYPHS OR PICTOGRAPHS. Each touch removes a few more sand grains from the rock surface. We need your cooperation to protect and preserve these treasures of the past.

The pathway that leads to the east parallels the base of the cliff for about 500 feet and provides an opportunity for easy viewing of additional examples of Fremont rock art.

The path is uneven and narrow in places and may become slippery when wet. There are shady places along the way so the walk is not unpleasant even at midday. Many of the petroglyps visible from the path are badly weathered and difficult to spot, especially in certain lighting. There is no best time of day or year for viewing – lighting conditions change from hour to hour and sometimes from minute to minute, depending on the play of sunshine and shadow on the cliff face. Take your time, walk a short distance, stop and explore the sheer Wingate Sandstone cliff with your eyes. Then, go a bit further and repeat the process. The excitement and thrill of discovering a petroglyph panel for yourself is a major part of the enjoyment of petroglyph watching and will be a rich reward for your patience and effort.

About 500 feet down the path are the last petroglyphs along this section of the cliff: a large beautifully done image of a bighorn sheep and, on a large detached slab, the head and shoulders of a nearly life-size human figure. From this point, you can retrace your route, taking the left-hand fork in the path just before you reach the irrigation ditch crossing. This will bring you back to the parking area.

THE PETROGLYPH PULLOUT WALK

After a leisurely tour of the museum displays in the Visitor Center, take a walk along the “Petroglyph Pullout” on Utah Hwy 24, 1 1/2 miles east of the Visitor Center. Petroglyphs and pictographs, the so-called “rock art” of prehistoric peoples, have long held a special fascination for young and old alike. From the parking area, a short path leads to the base of the Wingate Sandstone cliff. Visible from this viewpoint are some of the most interesting petroglyph panels at Capitol Reef (see photo above).

Please DO NOT attempt to climb the talus slope in front of you. Use a telephoto lens for close-up photographs. Rock art panels are very fragile and many have already been seriously damaged through vandalism, carelessness, or ignorance. DO NOT TOUCH ANY PETROGLYPHS OR PICTOGRAPHS. Each touch removes a few more sand grains from the rock surface. We need your cooperation to protect and preserve these treasures of the past.

The pathway that leads to the east parallels the base of the cliff for about 500 feet and provides an opportunity for easy viewing of additional examples of Fremont rock art.

THE PETROGLYPH PULLOUT WALK

There are shady places along the way so the walk is not unpleasant even at midday. Many of the petroglyps visible from the path are badly weathered and difficult to spot, especially in certain lighting. There is no best time of day or year for viewing – lighting conditions change from hour to hour and sometimes from minute to minute, depending on the play of sunshine and shadow on the cliff face. Take your time, walk a short distance, stop and explore the sheer Wingate Sandstone cliff with your eyes. Then, go a bit further and repeat the process. The excitement and thrill of discovering a petroglyph panel for yourself is a major part of the enjoyment of petroglyph watching and will be a rich reward for your patience and effort.

About 500 feet down the path are the last petroglyphs along this section of the cliff: a large beautifully done image of a bighorn sheep and, on a large detached slab, the head and shoulders of a nearly life-size human figure. From this point, you can retrace your route, taking the left-hand fork in the path just before you reach the irrigation ditch crossing. This will bring you back to the parking area.

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is characterized by sandstone formations, cliffs and canyons, and a 100-mile long bulge in the earth’s crust called the Waterpocket Fold. Erosion has carved the rock into marvelous shapes. This is an inviting wilderness of rock with descriptive names such as Capitol Dome, Hickman Bridge, Grand Wash and Cathedral Valley.

Capitol Reef National Park

Designated a national monument in 1937 and a national park in 1971, the majesty of Capitol Reef has been intriguing visitors with its twisting canyons, massive domes, monoliths and spires of sandstone for the past century. From deep narrow gorges to a bird’s eye view on the top of a peak, Capitol Reef National Park offers an assortment of activities to visitors.

Capitol Reef National Park, HC-70, Box 15, Torrey 84775, 435-425-3791

Delicate Arch Trail, UT

Delicate Arch Hike

Overview

Delicate Arch is very picturesque – it has become a Utah icon and it is perhaps the world’s most famous arch. You can see it in the distance by taking a short stroll from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking area, but the best way to see this natural wonder is to hike right up under it. The hike makes a wonderful little adventure suitable for all ages.

Location: East/central area in Arches National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3 miles (round trip)

Elevation gain: 480 feet

Weather: This trail can be hiked year-round. Mid-summer afternoons can be very hot but hiking is usually pleasant in on summer mornings and in the evening. Hiking after dark would be dangerous here. Spring and fall are perfect seasons. Winter days are often mild and pleasant, but some winter days will be downright cold so watch the weather forecasts.

Other Factors: Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. Drinking water is not available so carry some with you, in your vehicle and while hiking.

Route Descriptions: The trailhead is at Wolfe Ranch, accessible via a paved spur from the main park loop road. Signs make it easy to find. The parking lot is usually full during tourist season and so you may have to park along the access road.

At Wolfe Ranch there is a panel of Native American rock art, attributed to the Utes, which is worth gazing at for a few minutes. A signed spur trail leads to it.

The trail slopes gradually upward as you hike toward the arch. The total elevation gain is only 480 feet, but it seems steeper than that as you climb up the slickrock ridge. There is no shade on that section and so the most pleasant hiking is during morning and evening hours. Midday hikes can be very hot during summer. You will want to wear a hat, use sunscreen and carry water regardless of the season.

Steps have been carved into the sandstone to make it easy to get up some steep places. In one spot the trail follows a shelf on the side a solid-rock mountain, a sheer cliff falling off one side. The trail is wide and smooth, and walking is easy, but some people get nervous because of the cliff. Just hang onto your kids and stay away from the edge.

Delicate Arch Trail, UT

Overview

Delicate Arch is very picturesque – it has become a Utah icon and it is perhaps the world’s most famous arch. You can see it in the distance by taking a short stroll from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking area, but the best way to see this natural wonder is to hike right up under it. The hike makes a wonderful little adventure suitable for all ages.

Location: East/central area in Arches National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3 miles (round trip)

Elevation gain: 480 feet

Weather: This trail can be hiked year-round. Mid-summer afternoons can be very hot but hiking is usually pleasant in on summer mornings and in the evening. Hiking after dark would be dangerous here. Spring and fall are perfect seasons. Winter days are often mild and pleasant, but some winter days will be downright cold so watch the weather forecasts.

Other Factors: Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. Drinking water is not available so carry some with you, in your vehicle and while hiking.

Route Descriptions: The trailhead is at Wolfe Ranch, accessible via a paved spur from the main park loop road. Signs make it easy to find. The parking lot is usually full during tourist season and so you may have to park along the access road.

Wolfe Ranch Petroglyph Trail

At Wolfe Ranch there is a panel of Native American rock art, attributed to the Utes, which is worth gazing at for a few minutes. A signed spur trail leads to it.

The trail slopes gradually upward as you hike toward the arch. The total elevation gain is only 480 feet, but it seems steeper than that as you climb up the slickrock ridge. There is no shade on that section and so the most pleasant hiking is during morning and evening hours. Midday hikes can be very hot during summer. You will want to wear a hat, use sunscreen and carry water regardless of the season.

Steps have been carved into the sandstone to make it easy to get up some steep places. In one spot the trail follows a shelf on the side a solid-rock mountain, a sheer cliff falling off one side. The trail is wide and smooth, and walking is easy, but some people get nervous because of the cliff. Just hang onto your kids and stay away from the edge.

Hite – Glen Canyon National Preserve, UT

Hite - Glen Canyon National Preserve, UT

Hite is a tiny community at the northeast end of Lake Powell, close to UT 95. The nearby bridge provides the only road crossing of the Colorado for 300 miles between the Glen Canyon Dam west of Page (139 miles away by boat) and US 191 at Moab. There is little more to Hite besides a ranger station, gas station and a very useful general store (now open only intermittently), but it is the surrounding scenery for which the area is most renowned – miles of striking, uninterrupted red rock formations with minimal vegetation enclose the lake, which has many beautiful side canyons. Hite used to have a small marina but this is currently closed due to low lake levels. The best place to observe the village, the rocky surroundings and the confluence of the Colorado-Dirty Devil rivers is from Hite Overlook, an elevated viewpoint on the cliffs on the north side of the lake, reached by a short side road