Fun Hiking Close to St. George

[Sandstone Addiction]

My wife is one of the leaders of a youth group that's going to be spending a few days in and around St. George towards the end of June and are looking for fun hiking ideas. She mentioned that it needs to be less than 4 or 5 hours and that water would be a plus. I should also mention that since they only have a few hours to spend, they don't want to pay for everyone to get into Zion.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Scott P]

and that water would be a plus.

In late June (unless you're up high), more like a necessity, rather than just a plus. Try Quail Creek where it cuts through the Sandstone or the Pine Valley Mountains. Both should be good that time of year.

[Iceaxe]

Kanarra Creek is the hike I'd put at the top of my list for end of June.

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/kanarra.htm

[2065toyota]

Kanarra Creek - X2

[wnorton]

Kanarra x3

[erial]

Drive to the Wildcat Canyon trailhead on the Kolob Terrace Rd. Hike the two miles to the Northgate Peaks. Head up to the top of the East Peak via a class two user trail. No water. No NPS fee.
Not as cool as Kanarra Creek, but cooler in June than most lower elevation hikes in the area.

[Bo_Beck]

Pine Valley Mountain. Whipple Trail, Forsyth Canyon Trail. Kanarra Creek is nice too! http://www.zionnational-park.com/kanarra-creek.htm

[Scott P]

No NPS fee.

I think you are supposed to pay the NPS fee to visit the Kolob Terrace area.

[Sandstone Addiction]

I checked with my wife and it looks like I got my dates mixed up with girls camp. The St. George trip is June 6-8.

Would Kanarra Creek be OK that early? I would guess that any high water will be over by then?

@Scott P , for the Quail Creek section you were referring to, is that the hike with the swimming hole and the Moki steps in the Red Cliffs RA?

[Scott P]

@Scott P , for the Quail Creek section you were referring to, is that the hike with the swimming hole and the Moki steps in the Red Cliffs RA?

Yes.

[phatch]

I like the Quail Creek hike, but it's become quite popular and tends to be full of people now with the easy access. Good for a church group I think though. Maybe go early before the crowds thicken.

[erial]

I think you are supposed to pay the NPS fee to visit the Kolob Terrace area.

Kolob Canyons, okay, but the Terrace/ Reservoir road where there's no entrance station or honor box, I've always thought it was free transit. Yikes, hope I haven't been a scofflaw all these years.

[MojaveGeek]

Last year someone was charging a couple bucks (?) per person, in addition to the parking fee if you park in the lot, to access Kanarra, but it's a great destination.

A few weeks ago I enjoyed Cottonwood Cyn just N of SG but there's no water.

East Northgate in June is a good idea if you can get an early start. Trail is mostly shaded except for the last bit when you leave the official trail to cross over and up the peak.