Holiday Hikes

What better way to relax during the holidays . . . take a hike or two. We have so many great trails near our hometown. The Confluence Trail System is located between Hurricane and La Verkin with 4 different trail heads. To the west of Hurricane, Quail Creek State Park offers many recreational opportunities in a very scenic location; here we enjoyed a New Years Eve hike.  There are several trails for hiking and mountain biking. Swimming, camping, boating, and fishing are available for a fee. With our mild winter weather it's a great time to get out and explore.

The Confluence is where the Virgin River, Ash Creek and La Verkin Creek merge



Nice brickwork on the old Power Plant building

It was very peaceful listening to the river as we hiked along

There are some very large Cottonwood trees in the canyon

Chipper enjoys exploring with us, he is 11 months old 

The trails are marked well

Virgin River

Large basalt cliffs tower over the canyon

Chipper checking out the scenery as we head out of the Confluence

On New Years Eve we spotted this Red-tailed hawk at Quail Creek

Quail Creek  Reservoir with the Pine Valley Mountains in the background

Hurricane Cinder Knolls River Hike

We started the New Year off right with an easy hike in our home town of Hurricane, Utah.  The   Hurricane Cinder Knolls are part of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and there are a variety of trails crisscrossing the area.  Whether you chose to hike up one of the Cinders Knolls or head for the Virgin River you will have some amazing views.    

The Trail Head is located on 600 North

Although it was a cloudy day, the temperature was perfect

Colorful moss clinging to the lava rocks

View of the Virgin River

We are headed for the lava formations in the river below

It didn't take Kent long to find a chunk of lava to climb

We're looking forward to some good hikes this year

We'll have to come back when the river isn't muddy

We didn't see the windows until the hike out

No flowers this time of year, just pretty rocks

Back up on top with views of Sandstone Mountain

We could just barely see the snow covered
 Pine Valley Mountains trying to peek through the clouds