While you're riding the 14 miles, you may even experience a bit of history. Head out to Sand Hollow State Park for some seriously fun mixed terrain. There some 200 species of the genus Opuntia. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. National Park Service: Whitmore Canyon Overlook. The trail was great but poorly marked. Sometimes there are deep ruts, which showed, that there was some rain coming down in this region. We took my 10-year-old and nine-year-old in the four seater general and they loved the trip and didnt complain trail is pretty smooth not too bad. A little rocky the last 10 miles, but not too bad. There is minimal shade so make sure you wear appropriate clothing, bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Four rafts were floating down the river while we were there. You're going to need some sturdy clamps to keep your soundbar snug while you carve up the dunes. The Maze is an extremely technical trail that you should plan to take all day even though its only 1.5 miles long. They were the wrong tires, however. This trail is best enjoyed from March to November. This area is known for being an easy ride but well worth it for the unique panoramic view alone. Title to the land and spring was later secured from Elizabeth Whitmore, widow of James M. Whitmore, that first settler of the area. Had it been bigger, wed of been in serious danger. Views of cliffs, volcanic rock, and desert from the Whitmore Trail. Rode CCW. Soon we are arriving at the parking area and one more vehicle is there. This gorgeous landscape was formed from eroding pink-colored Navajo Sandstone that stands nearby. Atv Rentals Utah offers the best Grand Canyon Can-Am UTV rentals and private guided side by side tour options! Here are some safety considerations: Always drive straight up and down hills to prevent a rollover. We did this all on half a tank of gas in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Protecting Your Utah Home Down Payment from Inflation, Best Ways to Dominate a Utah Sellers Market, 5 Tips for Working with Real Estate Agents. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Coincidentally, about this same time tourists began running the Colorado River in rubber rafts. It is BLM 1045, which connects down to Whitmore Canyon. We are continuing on this trail for a few miles, before we see the parking spot at the North Rim downhill. NPS1248 - This is a spur off NPS1247 and is similarly rough. At N36 42,21XX, W113 28,31XX (WGS84) we are entering Main Street Valley, which mainly goes to the south. One of the most widely distributed of the yuccas, the Banana yucca, has extended its range from the mountains of the eastern Mohave Desert of California across southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and southwestern Colorado as far east as Trinidad. Sometime ago we read in a disscusion group about a route to the Grand Canyon North Rim, which is part of Arizona Strip. It wasnt that much worse than what we had already encountered, but we still didnt want to drive it, or another five miles of it. This is an even closer staging area for the trip, but you need to be an overnight guest or make arrangements with the ranch to park there. Motorists may pass through the closed gate of the ranch but must stay on the main road heading south unless a guest of the ranch. Driving the Whitmore Trail (both the trail and the road have the same name Ill specify when I mean the hiking trail), I did the best research I could online, and there wasnt much information, besides a few 44 forum posts. But do you have any idea what a van can actually do? The drive south from St. George will still take some time due to road conditions, but it's the closest larger city for accessing Grand Canyon-Parashant, and the route along CR5, a maintained gravel road, is very scenic. On the road private as well as BLM all vehicles must have valid license plates and proof of highway insurance (stickers and non-highway plates dont cut it this area is not for ORVing or ATVing). A spectacular overlook, from which you can view the canyon and several volcanic ash mounds and lava flowing from a close position. What if that home brought in rental income while you were away? Make sure you have the maps downloaded from All Trails prior to riding. Their four boys and two girls have been actively involved in cattle ranching and building the ranch since its inception in the early 1970s. Facilities: Bar 10 Ranch for ranch guests. Take the advice of others and a lesson from medont attempt without off road tires. Fantastic for my first long ride. You get to explore Toroweap lookout and Whitmore Canyon overlook on your way there or back. You may see some original trail paths from wagons of long, long ago. #2 - Whitmore Canyon via St George Drive OHV Trail St. George, Utah Length: 72.8 mi The first 60 miles to Mount Trumbull is a good dirt road. We took our Polaris general on this trail it was 27 miles from where we dropped off the trailer. It is used medicinally and in cooking. The map area is in a remote region of the Arizona Strip, northwestern Arizona about 88 km south of the nearest settlement of St. George, Utah. The road dead ends at the canyon overlook. From the Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse, turn south (left if coming from the Toroweap area, straight if coming from St. George) and follow the road. Snow and mud up top!! There is a church parking lot you can park your bike and start from there. It's an easier ride through forest and mountainous terrain, so novices can have a great time navigating. It was 122degrees outside. Previous dry day descriptions are still accurate. We went counter clockwise and was very glad that we did! Load content, Bonal Springs Rim 2010, Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs NM, AZ, Nampaweap Rock Art Site, Arizona Strip, AZ, Kelly Point and Twin Point, Grand Parashant National Monument, AZ, Hidden Canyon and Hidden Canyon Rim, Arizona Strip, AZ, Below, you can see some pictures of our trip Read more , Coyote Buttes North und South and White Pocket are Read more , As we had bad weather in the Swell this day, Read more , Kelly Point and Twin Point, Grand Parashant National. Of one thing we all agreed: we didnt want to drive further. Trumbull Schoolhouse. Thirteen vehicles and their occupants met at the intersection of Route 7, Airport Parkway, and BLM 5 at the Arizona state line for a trip to Whitmore Canyon on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The last 10 miles takes about 1.5 hours to traverse. And the payoff absolutely epic. However, it is at about that point where it got rough the wildflower blooms were stunning. We drove this route on December 1 in a stock Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Whitmore Canyon is off the beaten path even by North Grand Canyon standards. The weather was pleasant with partially sunny skies, temperatures in the low 70's. The St. George Drive OHV trail is just one of a few other forest service roads that take you to this location. Its not technical or dangerous, but you will get bounced around pretty good. Views near the top of the road, south of the Mt. With great views, moderate terrain, and only a little bit of traffic, Honeymoon Pack Trail is perfect for riders of all skill levels, but especially beginners. One should have enough food and water and should also to be able to solve problems with his vehicles, because help might be far away. The Heaton family has been ranching on the Arizona Strip for five generations. No issues. The scenery is varied and beautiful along the entire route and Whitmore Canyon Overlook is spectacular. These trails are great for those looking to polish their off-roading skills without any pressure or for those simply looking for a scenic ride on a day out with their families. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Some snow still in parts. NPS This is not a complete guide to all roads in the Whitmore Canyon area. They were the wrong tires, however. And the istrctions to get on the trail are incomplete, Entrance hard to find in the neighborhood for counter clock route. Bring lots of water and sunscreen, very hot. The trail starts to get slightly rocky. Jeep and off roading clubs usually take a break here to regroup. The final drop towards the canyon had a snow covered hill that was a in the shade and rather slippery. On the way back to St. George, we stopped at the school house at Mt. Before reaching the Bar 10 Ranch, the roads are still well-graded, a bit more narrow with a few rocks. The first 60 miles to Mount Trumbull is a good dirt road. Which Hike Should You Take in Yellowstone National Park. Trumbull School which ran from 1917-1968. This trail brings one to Whitmore Wash. It was dry over Thanksgiving and last 10 miles could be tricky in a non 4WD vehicle but in a Jeep it was great! Bar10 Ranch should have business nowadays the complete year, as far as we heard. 4 cm), ovate leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Cell service at various points along the ride. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. When we were there in late October 2017 we were told that the roads which go to the Whitmore Canyon Overlook and to the . It is also a cultivated ornamental plant. Your perseverance will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River from 1000 ft. The one thing that never changes is the genuine, friendly, western hospitality." From this northern boundary it extends south and southeast across northern and central Arizona and the greater part of New Mexico into southwestern Texas. Would absolutely recommend this for a fun afternoon or morning. This trail begins just south of St. George, Utah and will take approximately 3-5 hours one way. This package is very popular for UTV (side by sides), ATV & Motorcycle groups, Jeep & SUV groups, and Pilots flying into our own "Whitmore International Airstrip!" One mile south of the ranch BLM1045 climbs up onto a lava flow (see photo below looking down on the lava flow and road). Trail riding is best enjoyed as a group activity and if you dont have any friends to round up for an off-roading adventure, youre welcome to join our trail rides. Fun trail, good views. You travel back the way you came. Before starting, we visited the BLM-Office in St. George, UT, to get the latest trail information. The rocky trail connects to this parking area. You can also access this loop from St. George by heading North on Cottonwood Springs Rd off of Red Hills Pkwy. It is really called the volcano ridge trail. Great trail! We then had lunch. The road slowly degrades in quality the closer it gets to the Bar 10 Ranch (ranch driveway is at 36.275839, -113.233634; veer right to stay on the road). After lowering the air pressure in our tires to smooth the ride we departed south toward the Grand Canyon and our first stop the Mt. You will pass Mt. After getting the spare on we elected to turn back and not risk getting stranded. Kelly Point can be seen far in the distance. Be careful coming up the steep rock wall. Trumbull Schoolhouse (left) to the River Overlook. Trumbull, etc. Theres even an old stone cabin to check out on the northern end of the loop. We loved this ride! Climb up through Whitmore Canyon to towers at over 10.000'. I drive a FJ Cruiser and the roads were manageable on street tires. laterally and vertically within the Parashant and Whitmore Canyon areas (Fisher, 1961; Schleh, 1966; and Rawson and Turner, 1976). 2023 - offroaddance.com. Trumbull Schoolhouse (straight if youre coming from St. George) following the sign for the Whitmore Trail and the Bar 10 Ranch. Box 910088, St. George UT 84791 Phone: 1 (435) 628-4010 Toll Free: 1 (800) 582-4139 . Stock jeeps or trucks wont be able to complete this trail. Trumbull Schoolhouse. But members of the Opuntia genus are unique because of their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed spines called glochids. Close by where we stay at the Ledges so very convenient! This is the roughest part of the trail as youll be driving over a lava field. The red cliffs tower 3,000 feet overhead while the river flow 2,000 feet below. Situated about 73 miles from St. George, Whitmore Canyon takes you to an overlook of the Grand Canyon with stunning views of the Colorado River. We had a tire puncture when we reached the Grand Canyon. Early in 1913 the LDS General Relief Society Board chose it as their official emblem. View on the river looking up to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Plenty of riding around St. George to the Grand Canyon north rim to make a weekend of riding. The road is a bit rougher from Mt. 2023 Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, One of the best things about living in St. George is having access to excellent trails away from the crowded and more, . Contact us today if youd like more information. Trumbull Schoolhouse. When it comes to ATV adventuring, you can't go wrong with the St. George area. It becomes NPS1263 at the National Park Service boundary in the Parashant. Went back a second time because the views took my breath away. Most of the land in between is +/- 5,000'. Trail isnt marked. Phone: 1 (435) 628-4010 Toll Free: 1 (800) 582-4139. The dirt road is rocky with a slight grade down. In this area, you're close to the Utah-Arizona border, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Snow Canyon State Park, and Zion National Park. Our side by side handled the trail well although there was still well over a foot of snow in several spots. But we pressed on. We entered an old lava flow and the road quality degraded even more. Just as we had about 5 miles left on the dirt road it was getting dark (at about 6 pm). This trail is known for steep ascents and descents and challenging off-camber. There are many miles of forest service roads that are open to OHV use with plenty of them ending at an overlook of the canyon. We use Sendinblue as our marketing platform. What if that home brought in. We have a Jeep JK with a 3.5 lift and it handled just fine. Once you pass the Bar 10 Ranch, the last 10. It's a short but sweet trail, too, being only 4 miles round trip. First 8 miles just graded dirt road. >Here CR5 is turning to the left towards Mt. The plant's leaves, withered by flowering time, appear grass-like and sparse. Ropin' pit where the city slickers can hone their skills. We just see one more vehicle on our way to Mt. From the Bar 10 Ranch airstrip, its a 7-mile drive to the overlook. Trumbull, taking a side trip to see the petroglyphs at Nampaweap, and past the Bar 10 Ranch. By the 1880s those early settlers who had eaten the bulb felt it set them apart from newcomers to the Salt Lake Valley. No place to park a trailer in town. The road gets smaller once we pass the school house. A sign requests travelers (who arent guests) to not trespass or hunt and to simply drive through (Thru traffic and invited guests only). Dry Canyon Dry Canyon panel Dry Canyon ends at 9 Mile Canyon, site of hundreds of petroglyphs and other remains of the Fremont Culture. This road is rough. Did this in a stock Jeep rubicon. The following two pictures we have taken on our way back:: On this trail is a possible danger of getting some tire damage, because the rocks are sometimes sharp-edged. The road to Frog Springs is only for very high clearance vehicles. We rumbled on, passing the marked junction for Paws Pocket (Pas (I think the w is missing) Pocket Four-wheel Drive Routes) (junction at 36.230176, -113.231667; follow the sign straight for the Whitmore Trail (River Overlook)). Did it in a little under 2.5 hours, would have taken longer but I had to book it the last 1/3 of the trail which is luckily a well maintained gravel road. Black Rock Canyon Loop is a lightly trafficked moderate trail that is great for dirt bikes/ motorcycles as the trail contains some rolling whoops. After floundering through the drifts for a few miles, the lad met a scouting party who relayed the information to the militia. As always, TREAD lightly and stay safe out there! That first year in the mid 1970s, the Heatons efforts ferried just 125 people, but by 1983 they were seeing 1,000 people per summer. Enjoy amenities like restrooms and showers, grills and fire pits, and access to the water. This campsite provides an unobstructed view north to the Pine Valley Mountains almost 70 miles away. Trumbull Schoolhouse to Whitmore Canyon Overlook deep in the Grand Canyon. At N36 44,85XX, W113 32,79XX (WGS84) a side trail to the right joins CR5. Hiking, camping, scenic vistas, watching wildlife and hunting are some of the prime recreational opportunities found in this wilderness. Whitmore Canyon Overlook and Whitmore Point Most high clearance 4x4s can make the drive from the Mt. Beyond the schoolhouse, 44 is highly recommended. We left St. George at about 8:30 am and arrived at the overlook at about 11:45 am. Black Rock Canyon OHV Trail is located east of the St. George Regional Airport. The view back shows the wide gravel road, which leads down from St. George, UT, via Main Street Valley. Elevations range from about 1,097 m (3,600 ft) in Parashant Canyon (south edge of map area) to 2,145 m (7,037 ft) near the east-central edge of the map area. The trail improves after the first several miles into a great mix of woopdy doos, some switchbacks, a couple creek crossings, and some southern Utah forest. Just as we had about 5 miles left on the dirt road it was getting dark (at about 6 pm). The good news is that (baring GPS directions, which are usually wrong) the road isnt hard to follow and there really arent confusing turns or side-roads major junctions are well-marked, and you wont be confused by minor junctions. Banana yucca (Yucca bacatta) were in full bloom. Trumbull Schoolhouse to the Whitmore Overlook. Depending on the time of year, the Pine Mountain Loop can be muddy, eroded or snowcapped. I think there was also a waterfall near where the path ends - we could hear it - but didnt have time to explore and find it, as we were there around 7 pm and wanted to be back before it got dark. It was dry over Thanksgiving and last 10 miles could be tricky in a non 4WD vehicle but in a Jeep it was great! Whitmore Canyon OHV Trailis a beautiful long distance down and back trail. After 3.1 miles, take the exit (on right) toward River Road. Getting to the Mt. Take the advice of others and a lesson from medont attempt without off road tires. 345 East Riverside Drive This is near the airstrip. Nothing presented any issues for my stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. You can't ride your ATV in and out of the campground, but they've got a convenient corral with loading ramps. Prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) in the North American deserts. More information can be found here, although Id say it will take you a bit more than 3 hours to drive in from Tuweep , Mesquite and cliffs near where we turned around. With rainfall, the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2. The road continues seven miles over lava rock down to Whitmore Canyon Overlook. The road becomes dirt. At no point, in dry conditions, was 4WD required. The 2 mile hike down and back to the bottom of the Grand Canyon took us about 2.5 hours. From what we saw its beautiful and worth the trip. Before you head out, make sure to equip your ride with a powerful new speaker system from Wet Sounds to blast some tunes while you're carving up the dunes. I would 100% do this trail again, but Id prepare to mitigate the risk better. This section of trail should be passable in any stock 4WD vehicle, barring any inclement weather. The next 50 miles were unending mud but we managed decent time. The Bar 10 is still a working cattle ranch, as well as becoming the premier recreational destination spot in the area. Still fun! reviewed Whitmore Canyon via St George Drive OHV Trail July 11, 2022 Hiking Didn't get to complete it because we got a flat tire 20 miles in. Its 15 miles from the school house to the overlook. Upgrade your vehicle, or schedule maintenance today? Did this in a stock Jeep rubicon. If you can actually make it to the end of the road, youll find one more section of black road (volcanic). Found just above the cluster of regular spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the pads. We had a tire puncture when we reached the Grand Canyon. Tony and Ruby transported all the lumber, brick, windows, and other materials over the eighty miles of dirt road in a cattle truck. Great views of the Colorado and canyons. Trail riding is best enjoyed as a group activity and if you dont have any friends to round up for an off-roading adventure, youre welcome to, While the route to the Bar 10 Ranch and Whitmore Canyon is well documented, its still advisable to. Be very prepared for anything to happen. This is a view of the Grand Canyon that not many people get to experience. Public Lands Information Center The sigh on the road said that it is 15 miles to Whitmore Canyon. It wasnt long before half the group was out of the van building the road in places (mostly just filling in potholes so we could get through). These directions aint it took me to a gas station. We are following the trail and pass Bar 10 Ranch. good trail, fun, easy enough in a rented stock 4wd tacoma. While you may find plenty of reddish sand, you'll also ride over gravel, rock, and some vegetation. One of the best things about the North Rim is that is gets a fraction of the traffic of the South Rim. But we are following the straight going trail, which got worse compared to the one, coming down from St. George, UT. Trumbull. Keep driving past the airstrip and up the hill beyond. Drive south toward Toroweap about 27 miles (take it slow, about 30mph or less, to avoid flat tires). Loved going through the trees then back in the desert for a while. In December of 1865, the Navajos attacked the Mormon militia garrisoned at Kanab where a fort was being constructed. There was a Tacoma with chains stuck in the snow. Easy basic trail, perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a smooth trail. It was after this hill that we began to encounter problems. Its cooler up in the mountains. There's an old saying among the Jeepers, "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.". Always know what is in front of your vehicle. Beautiful views. Recommended for UTVs and modified short wheelbase 4x4s only. It takes about 3hrs to get there, with the last 15 miles taking 90 minutes. Subscribe to View Junkie Adventure Report and get exclusive outdoor and hiking-related content. This federal interagency office is staffed by employees from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S National Forest Service, and by dedicated volunteers from the local community. Great trail. All rights reserved. If you time your trip just right in spring, the trip from the airstrip to Whitmore Canyon will be filled with the color of blooming desert flowers including Sego Lilies and Desert Yellow Daisies. Trumbull Schoolhouse. They have lodging possibilities and one can have organised trips into the vicinity. On January 8, 1866, some Indians raided Whitmore's Ranch and rode away with all of his sheep. The volcano is adjacent the Colorado River, as it is the source material for Lava Falls and Lava Falls Rapids one of the largest rapids of the Colorado. From the Bar 10 to the Grand Canyon the run is about 11 miles, the last 7 of which are quite rough and rocky. Start in Hurricane, Utah area to The Grand Canyon which is 82 miles one way, make sure to take all your supplies needed for the fun trip. The first part of the trip will take you from St. George to Mt. We are crossing Virgin River, drive through an industrial complex and follow the soon no more paved route (CR 5).