Ashdown Gorge Trail
Location: Cedar City, Utah, USA
Length: 8.8 Miles (14.16 km) Round trip
Time to Hike: 3.3 Hours
The Ashdown Gorge Trail is an incredibly scenic hiking trail located in southern Utah, USA near Cedar City. Known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse geologic landscape, this trail stretches approximately 10 miles through the rugged canyon terrain of the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness. The trail takes visitors on a mind-blowing journey through the gorge as they lay witness breathtaking cliff walls, lush forests, and babbling creeks. As you hike the trail, you'll encounter spectacular viewpoints, allowing hikers to marvel at the panoramic vistas of these insane rock canyons. The Ashdown Gorge Trail is not just a physical challenge; it's a one-in-a-lifetime experience that immerses you in the raw and untamed beauty of Utah's wilderness.
Getting to Ashdown Gorge Trail
Once in Cedar City, hikers can choose from several routes to access the Ashdown Gorge Trailhead. The most popular option is Highway 14, known as the Scenic Byway. This route allows travelers to witness the unique scenery as they wind through the Dixie National Forest, which is composed of alpine forests, rugged canyons, and stunning views the entire way.
Travelers will eventually find themselves at the junction of Highway 143. Here, a signpost directs them toward Cedar Breaks National Monument. Following for approximately 9 miles, hikers will reach the Brian Head Peak area, where the trailhead can be easily accessed. The drive from Cedar City to the trailhead takes around 10 minutes.
When to Hike Ashdown Gorge Trail
When hiking through Ashdown Gorge it is important to consider the weather and the amount of rainfall that is forecasted. Everybody is guaranteed to get at least their feet wet when hiking this trail, this is unavoidable. That being said, if it has been recently raining a lot then the creek water levels will be much higher and could force you to submerge yourself up to your chest in ice-cold water.
Summers in Cedar City are of course hot and mostly without rain so water levels shouldn’t be too much of a problem and fall is an excellent time to hike the canyon.
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Rattlesnake Creek Waterfall
At the end of Ashdown Gorge lies the gem that leaves hikers in awe - the Rattlesnake Creek Waterfall. This fantastic cascade of water is a sight to behold, captivating those who persevere
and make it through the gorge unscathed.
As you make your way closer to the end, the sound of rushing water draws you in. You round the corner and there it is, the Rattlesnake Creek Waterfall, a sight that leaves you somewhat speechless. As the crystal-clear waters tumble over ancient rocks, they create a mesmerizing display of power and grace. The cascading water creates a stunning dance of light and shadows adding to its amazing beauty.
The spray from the cascading water creates a cool mist that refreshes your skin, and depending on the season could feel quite nice after the long hike through hot canyons.
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