Hike Utah’s National Parks and Monuments

Trip

Day Hike - St. George, Utah Area Hikes

Hike #1 in Southern NV/UT. Three or four shorter hikes the same day near St. George, UT. The Vortex, 2.5 miles RT, 500' gain; Bone Wash and Elephant Arch, 4.9 miles, 450' gain; and Red Reef, 2.7 miles RT, 450' gain, plus optional Pioneer Park if time allows. See Leader's Notes for details. This is part one of two hiking series/segments I will be leading in Southern Nevada/Utah (this trip) and then Death Valley NP 3/8-3/13.

  • Moderate/Strenuous
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 11.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 MPH up, 2.25 MPH down
  • FULL (9 capacity)
  • Sat, Dec 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
  • Sun, Mar 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

Southern Nevada/Utah 3/1-3/6/26

Hike #1  a series of three to four hikes in the same day all near St. George, UT

--The Vortex, 2.5 miles, 500' gain.  Gaia route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/kVlZxnZ1fSAIdIuDobnFaqRW/

--Bone Wash and Elephant Arch, 4.9 miles, 450; gain.  Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/wCZReJql4xAu737iTOi1Fwyj/

--Red Reef , 2.7 miles, 450' gain.  Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/fWxofw5P0Wi9xEZwf51PnTrr/

--Optional if we have enough time or interest:  Pioneer Park--about 1-2 miles of trails.  The park has a popular narrow slot canyon and a native plant garden.  The slot is as narrow as 9" and may not be doable for larger individuals.  We will be passing it on the way home and will stop by if it seems worthwhile to the group as a whole.  Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/6pJ9sZFPP1xxTyZDNPXEwKgy/

This is one of two amazing sets of day hikes offered in the warm desert areas  to the west and north of Las Vegas, NV.  This grouping of hikes is in Southern Nevada and Southern Utah. The Death Valley segment (immediately following this set of hikes) will include six day hikes in six consecutive days in Death Valley NP--see that separate posting for details.  Between these two sets of hikes there will also be a short hike on the drive from the two areas near Mt. Charleston, NV on 3/7 (explained in a different posting).   Early March is the prime time for blooming flowers and pleasant weather.  The day time temperatures should be around 70 degrees in Southern NV, cooler in Utah.  

The basic plan in Southern Nevada/Utah is for folks (at their choosing) to fly into Las Vegas on Monday 3/2 and be picked up at the airport by the leader or find their own transportation and then drive to their lodging choice near the first hike that same Saturday.  I hope to have time that day for a short hike in Valley of Fire SP.  We will return there a second day to see more.   We will also hike on the other days in Cathedral Gorge SP near Panaca, NV and Snow Canyon SP near St. George, UT.  Exact hikes are not yet determined, but will be posted when figured out. Some days there may be two or three hikes or stops in the same area in order to be best utilize the entire day.  The particular hikes will need to be somewhat fluid as many roads have been damaged by recent floods.

Lodging and Transportation Options

I am planning to rent a car at the Las Vegas/Harry Reid Airport.  I can pick folks up for this trip at about 2 PM for those wanting shared car/lodging.  I will be renting an Air B 'n B house in Mesquite, NV (3/2-3/7)- 5 nights.  Folks wanting this shared car and lodging option can also continue with me on the Death Valley trip that follows this one. I am also planning to rent an Air B 'n B house in Beatty, NV for 3/8-3/14, seven nights for those Death Valley hikes.  Those that want to stay with me at the house and share the rental car need to be those I know and have had a positive experience from the Mountaineers or can provide a Mountaineers Leader I know as a reference.  It is important that we all be compatible and responsible.  The cost for the housing/rental car will be divided by the number of participants that choose that option.  If we get five participants it should be less than $100 a night (times 5 nights).  Shared cost for the rental car should be about $25-30 per day (times 6 days).  I anticipate a shared grocery/cooking arrangement most nights and possibly one or two meals at a restaurant for those sharing lodging.  More details will come.  A initial deposit and full payment before the trip begins will be required for the housing option and the rental car option.  These arrangements are optional.  Folks are welcome to provide their own transportation and lodging.  The Mountaineers sponsored part of the trip are  only the hikes.

These hikes will be Leader Permission Only.    I will be choosing the most compatible group members.  First priority will be given to participants that desire to do both itineraries (southern Nevada/Utah and Death Valley) and desire to share lodging and car rental.  Second priority will be to folks desiring to do only one of the two sets of hikes (either southern Nevada/Utah or Death Valley) and desire to share accommodating and rental car. Finally, those wanting only one or more hikes and/or are providing their own accommodations and transportation will be free to sign-up as space allows, with leader permission.   Hikes will be limited to around 10-12 people per day.  They will be at a moderate to more difficult level and about 8-12 miles each day. 

Please use the Leader Permission requests tab on the right side-bar to express interest.  At this point, I am looking for the level of interest in our hiking community for this week(s) of hikes.  Please state whether you would do all the days of hiking or only a couple of days, have interest only in the Southern Nevada/Utah trip or also the adjacent/prior trip to Death Valley; and whether you have interest in shared transportation from the Las Vegas airport and in a shared Air B n B lodging  or plan to be on your own.   I will soon be posting the specific hikes and provide costs for those desiring shared transportation and lodging.  Thanks.  Rob Erickson, Hike Leader

Varies.  Details/TH directions will be provided at a later date.  Start first hike in series about 9 AM.  Exact time TBD

Route/Place

Hike Utah’s National Parks and Monuments


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The Ten Essentials

  • Navigation
  • Headlamp
  • Sun protection
  • First aid
  • Knife
  • Fire
  • Shelter
  • Extra food
  • Extra water
  • Extra clothes
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