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Red Mountain Trail (St. George)
Note: Because of a "wilderness study area" designation, most of this trail is now closed
to bikes. I can't recommend the short bit of this trail that remains open.
I've retained this page as info for trail runners who use our site.
The Red Mountain Trail is 11 miles north of St. George,
opposite the small town of Diamond Valley. This is not a casual-riding
trail. It's one of the meanest, roughest little trails in the St. George
area -- a brutally rough climb up rock ledges. Only the strong and skilled
need apply.
Typical look up the trail during the
climb. The multiple rock ledges are very doable, but they never let up.
March 29, 2003.
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| Update 2012. Past the ridgeline (2.7 miles), the
Red Mountain Trail enters the Red Mountain Wilderness Area, west of the cliffs
above Snow Canyon. The area between the formal wilderness and high highway
has been designated a separate "wilderness study
area." Only the first 0.9 miles of trail is open to bikes.
A sign and step-over gate has been erected 0.9 from the trailhead saying
"Wilderness Boundary" and the borders around this first bit of
trail have been fenced. (Historical note: A court ruling in April 2003 held that
users cannot be locked out simply by creating a "study area." But despite the
court ruling, "wilderness study areas" are seeing same
rules applied as actual wilderness. So keep your bike off this trail if
you hope to avoid a ticket.) |
| The trail climbs up to some nice views northward to the Pine
Valley Mountains. At the ridgeline, you can look from the top of the
fantastic sandstone cliffs of the west fork of Snow Canyon.
View northward towards the Pine Valley
Mountains, from about half-way up the trail.
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| The foot trail extends along the ridge above Snow Canyon all the
way to Ivins. Maps of the preserve area, including this trail, are available
at the visitor's center in St. George. |
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Trail Notes:
0.0 Straight through the cattle guard
N 37° 16.787' W 113° 39.168' Alt
4700
Multiple forks, keep straight
0.2 Trail on R of circle
0.9 New "wilderness border"
Stash bike and walk.
1.1 Trail levels off, intermittent sand
2.0 Sandy area
2.5 Stiff climb, switchback
2.7 Ridgetop, trail forks and descends
N 37° 15.436' W 113° 40.425' Alt
5150
Red Mountain Wilderness Border
Looking south from the ridge into Snow
Canyon.
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| Getting there: Drive north on Bluff Street in
St. George. As you go straight through the Snow Canyon Parkway
intersection, zero your odometer. Drive past Snow Canyon. Pass a cinder
cone, Diamond Valley, and another cinder cone on your right. 11.2 miles
from the stop light, spot a small dirt road and primitive parking on your
left at GPS N 37° 16.787' W 113° 39.168'.
Riding resources:
Single-page riding guide
Lodging, camping, shops:
Links to St.
George area resources
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Copyright 2003 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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