Hiking in Snow Canyon

Susan and I decided to get away from the city to do some hiking at Snow Canyon State Park. The Park is a short 15 minute drive from the campground but it's like being in another world with a wonderful collection of plants, wildlife, and colorful rock.

Snow Canyon Entrance

The park consists of 7,400 acres of lava flows and sandstone cliffs. Created in 1959, Snow Canyon has more than 38 miles of hiking trails of all levels, a 3 mile paved walking/biking trail, and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails. Did I forget to mention the cliff/rock climbing for the not so faint of heart. After a very informative visit to the ranger station they recommended the Hidden Pinyon Trail. It's a 1.5 mile self guided trail highlighting the geological features and native plants.

Happy Hikers

Snow Canyon has long been used by mankind. From 200 to 1250 A.D. the Anasazi Indians inhabited the area utilizing the canyon for hunting and gathering. The Paiute Indians used it after them until the Mormons arrived in the 1850's. Originally called Dixie State Park it was renamed after prominent pioneering Utah leaders.

The moon is out already

The canyon has been home to many Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and Jeremiah Johnson.

Oops,wrong way some guide I am

Still smilin'

 
   

The park is located at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Colorado Plateau. With only 7.5 inches of annual rainfall, the local vegetation is adapted to desert life. The Sand Sage is adapted to the desert with it's wispy, silvery-grey, thread-like leaves and provides food and shelter for small birds and mammals.

Sand Sage

Continuing along the trail at times it got a little steep and narrow but Susan was determined that she was going to do the whole thing. I did tell her at the start it was 1.5 miles one way and she would have to do some climbing. She wanted to be adventurous.

She was loving it

One of the really cool things we came across was an area of rock called cross bedding. It was formed when ancient sand was transported by the wind caused massive dunes. As the sand grains were blown up the back surface of the dune and deposited on the down-wind side, layers formed. Later, these layers cemented together forming cross beds. Vertical lines and holes in the rock are due to erosion.

Wave-like cross beds

Found extensively throughout the park is the scrub live oak. We originally thought it was holly because it's leaves. These scrubs remain green like holly all year round.

Shrub Live Oak

We decided to sit for awhile on top of paradise to take in the scenery and serenity. There were very people around so we took advantage of it.

Nobody around how peaceful

If you have noticed a blackish-maroon coating, called desert varnish on the sandstone rock in previous pictures it is actually an accumulation of iron and manganese that is deposited as rain or groundwater moves through the rock. The more manganese found in the mineral layer, the darker the varnish. The more iron found the redder the color. Desert varnish does not erode as quickly as the sandstone it covers.

Not lava rock but desert varnish

The interpretive trail has been a good choice for Susan's first real hiking adventure. There's been lots to see and do.

More cool rock formations

Utah Yucca

She looks a little tired

Completing the trail was quite a milestone for Susan. She enjoyed it so much she indicated she would like to do it again tomorrow. We'll see tomorrow how you feel. In the meantime I wanted to check out the campground here in the park.

Main Office

Campsites with hook-ups

Campsite with no hookups

Beautiful Joshua Tree

All in all what a wonderful day. The park was fabulous including the campground. Would I stay in the park, yes. It's a little tight but the rewards are many. To wake up to the birds chirping and the sun shining on the red sandstone would be glorious.