Cedar Pockets Virgin River Gorge

[Rented mule]

Hello there!
There is a way to hike high above the traffic in the Virgin River
Gorge/ along the north rim. Even though the interstate runs north-
south, the gorge has a north and south rim for the most part as the
freeway heads east-westerly.

Here is the link for the pictures:

http://usera.imagecave.com/mochajo/yadda/


The trip begins in the Cedar Pockets campground located about
5 miles from the southern/western end of the gorge before it dumps
out into the creosote flat on the way to Vegas. There is a five mile
backcountry chunky dirt road (high clearance) that goes north, then
west up into the backcountry of the Beaver Dam mountains.
This road eventually connects up with Hwy 91 (Utah hill) road after
5 miles. Well, there is a point where the hike accesses the high
country.

The trick is to stay as high up as you can and follow the screes and
anticlines the whole way. Some slight downclimbing is required from
each platelet to the other. Eventually, after about 5 miles, and reaching
an elevation high above the gorge at 4100 ft, you will have to drop down
to 3400 ft. Then, an abrupt one mile where your knees could complain
as you descend the final 1400 ft down to the desert floor and the Virgin
River at 2080 ft ele.
The hike requires that you must either use two vehicles, or have someone
drop you off or meet you at the end. Otherwise, you will have a long
walk back up the freeway 5 miles to the pockets rest area/campground.
It was really great to be out and seeing how this matrix is formed with
its plates stacked one on the other. Actually, surprisingly easy to
access. There's a great arch at mile post 16 that looks like a seahorse.
Bo, ever get the name of that one?
The river needs to be either crossed or take the access road located a mile outside of Beaver Dam town up highway 91 "Virgin River BLM Access
road" gated 3 mile trek on a dirt road.

Cheers!

[tanya]

Good Stuff! Thanks