Snow Canyon: Petrified Dunes

The petrified Dunes Trail starts out on easy soft sand and then quickly becomes a giant sandstone walk. But it is the most amazing trail, with some absolutely amazing views! it is a connector trail, but we only did the dunes section.

Quick Details:

Length: 1.2 miles round trip
Difficulty: DR4 climbing up and around somewhat steep rock faces, and trouble keeping track of the trail.
Elevation Gain: Unknown. But can’t be too much.
Pets: No. They are welcome at the campground, but not on this trail.
Restroom: No. However, there is one just south of this trail head at the upper Galoot Picnic Area.
Fee Area: Snow Canyon charges a $6.00 day use fee (per car).
Special Comments: You are in the desert, and on an open trail without much protection from the sun. Be sure to carry plenty of water, and have protection from the sun. I would also recommend good shoes for walking on the sandstone.

Looking towards the dunes.

With people scrambling around on it.

Up close, so much texture.

I love the pile of black rocks on top of the red.

At first the dune is pretty easy and well, even kind of fun to wander around all over.

Looking north towards Whiterocks.

I just love the colors and textures of the dunes!

There is a faint trail marker where the 2 dunes meet and become one. I took this to mean that they intend for you to go through this gap.

But first I decided to run up to the ridge to see what was over there. Wow!

Weird little sandstone balls.

If I never make it to the wave, at least I got to see this.

And then of course if the view on the other side. Wow, just incredible!

This trail is not to be missed!

And here we see the other trail marker, okay we did go the right way! It isn’t easy to follow a trail over a solid boulder.

Getting down this side was a little scary, but go slow, look for a safe way down, it’s not too bad. I found going down it seemed steeper than going back up.

Panoramic. This is a fantastic vista.

I’m not sure if we made it all the way to the connector trail, but it was time to head back. I really want to explore more of this area though and will definitely have to return when it is a little cooler.

Hills of sandstone.

Looking back down.

The canyon you go through to the 3 ponds. I planned on doing that trail, but we didn’t end up doing it this trip.

Different layers of texture. The top is like a checkerboard.

Red dune in front of white rocks.

I absolutely loved, LOVED this trail! I can’t decide if I like this, or Jenny’s Canyon better, they are both just such amazing trails in completely different ways. Even in the open sun and the high heat of the day it was just absolutely amazing! Absolutely going with 10 squirrels out of 10.

As for difficulty, for the most part it is fairly easy but there are some tricky parts and wondering if you are following the trail. Not to mention, if you get off trail there seemed to be some more dangerous areas. going with a DR4.