The Local Lookout
Thunder Mountain Trail
I hope that you are having a FANTASTIC week so far! This past weekend was a fun one for me because I got to try a new Southern Utah trail -Thunder Mountain. Located on the way to Bryce Canyon, Thunder Mountain trail is about a 2 hour drive from St George and an excellent day hike or pit stop on the way to Bryce Canyon.
This area is very similar to Bryce Canyon with towering Hoodoo’s and breathtaking crimson canyons, but it lacks the crowds Bryce Canyon has and the price it right. It’s free!
Although I road this trail on my mountain bike, I saw a hiker and 2 horseback riders enjoying the trail as much as I was. At a starting elevation of 7000 feet, make sure to knock this one off the list soon as it will be covered in snow before too long.
There are several ways to access this trail which can lengthen or shorten the distance traveled depending on how much time you have and whether you are on a mountain bike or on foot. If you are hiking, it is an out and back hike of 8 miles round trip starting from the Thunder Mountain trailhead off of highway 12. If you bike, start at the Coyote Hollow Trailhead or take the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail up to Coyote Hollow Trailhead.
It is a TON of fun and a really beautiful part of the state – I recommend driving through the east side of Zion National Park to get there. Have a fun and safe weekend and please let me know if you have any more questions about the area.
For more information about the trail, visit http://www.utah-trails.com/Thunder-Mountain-Trail (hikers) or http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1868735 (bikers)