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.

Snow Canyon State Park: Pioneer Names Trail

The Pioneer names trail in Snow Canyon is an easy hike to an alcove with ‘acceptable’ graffiti in a state park because it’s over 100 years old and was done by pioneers. It is actually pretty neat. Plus, bonus arch I wasn’t expecting.

Quick Details:

Length: 1/2 mile round trip…. if you do the loop.
Difficulty: DR3 pretty flat and easy.
Elevation Gain: Negligible. Maybe a few feet.
Pets: No. Pets are not welcome on most Snow Canyon trails, but are welcome in the campground.
Restroom: No, however There is restroom just south of the trailhead at the Sand Dunes Picnic Area.
Fee Area: There is a $6.00 dollar (per car) day use fee.
Special Note: Even though this is a short trail, you are in the desert. Be sure you have plenty of water.

After missing the parking lot and making Landis turn the car around I realized there is a north and south trail. The north is a direct approach to the alcove if you just want to see the pioneer names, you can get it done really quickly. However, then you miss the arch that you will pass by on the south trail. Just a heads up.

South trail. Like Jenny’s Canyon the trail is marked off really well so it is easy to follow.

Different looking arch. Kind of looks like a hipbone. If this arch is named, I don’t know what it is because it wasn’t listed anywhere.

It does go all the way through.

And it even has a little window.

Plants man. ‘I’m just gonna grow right here.’ Never ceases to amaze me seeing them growing out of rocks.

This trail is on the east side of the canyon under this big red cliff, so as long as it is not too late in the afternoon you will be in the shade of the cliffs for the most part.

Alcove. Since I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for, and the trail was hidden by a random tree I kind of sat staring at this for longer than I should admit wondering what the big deal was…

Onward through the desert!

More fun alcoves. Almost there, the names are in the smaller one.

Some sort of desert lily.

Which appears to start life as a cold prickly.

Little baby arch.

And the Pioneer Names. These date back 1881 and where written in axel grease.

A little closer with a crop. Looks like the newest acceptable one was Sam Gubler in 1919. There also appears to be some more recent additions that look like they have tried to remove. Sigh.

I saw this image not too long ago, and (while I am unsure if Douglas Adams actually said it) I agree totally, but I feel the same way about natural stuff. If it was like that before I experienced it, its just the way it is. If they mess it up afterwards, then I lose my mind. (I skip step 2 for nature stuff). Suicide Rock in Salt Lake comes to mind as something that should be an abomination that I am okay with, because it’s always been that way. However, if people tag other areas of nature it makes me really angry. I don’t know, it’s kind of hard to describe.

Both alcoves. Well now we could go the 500 feet or so to the north trailhead and walk down the road back to the car… or just go back the way we came. We opted for the latter.

Looking down the canyon.

The trail goes right next to this cliff, where this tree decided to grow which is what threw me off earlier.

Inside an alcove we didn’t notice on the way in. After seeing a spider web I suddenly wondered if there are tarantulas down here. I mean, it is the desert right? Well… we didn’t see one in the park, but that particular question was answered this evening when we found one at Tuacahn.

Well that was a neat little trail with some great history and a nice little arch and some other desert fun. It’s a little lackluster compared to other nearby trails so I am going to finalize on 8 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, I am going with a DR3. Its really short and easy to do.And you can choose to make it even shorter if you decide you want to.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail. They are allowed in the campground and a few trails, just not this one.

Snow Canyon State Park: Jenny’s Canyon

Jenny’s Canyon is a really short, easy hike into a short slot canyon. As someone, who unfortunately has never done a slot canyon before, I found this to be the perfect introduction to one! Super easy, but still an absolutely amazing experience!

Quick Details:

Length: 1/2 mile round trip.
Difficulty: DR3. Mostly flat, a couple steps, soft sand.
Elevation Gain: Negligible. Maybe a couple feet.
Pets: No. Pets are allowed at the campground, but not on most trails.
Restroom: Not at this trail head, but there is one up the road at the Sand Dunes picnic area.
Fee Area. $6.00 day use fee for the State Park.
Special Note: Even though this is a short trail, you are in the desert. Ensure you have plenty of water and protection from the sun. Lastly I don’t think this particular slot canyon is prone to flash floods, but it very well could be, not to mention there is a wash you have to cross. Be aware of potential rainstorms.

Fantastic view up canyon from the trail head.

Following the soft sand towards the cliff walls. The trail is marked with stones on either side so you won’t get lost if you pay attention.

Fun rock formation.

There is a dried wash you have to cross, which looks like it got some action recently. Be aware of flash floods, and don’t cross if it is raging.

Looking down the wash.

holes in the rock. Almost to the canyon.

WHOA!!! This is freaking cool!

Relatively recently named. Sad, she would have been only a couple years older than me.

This is just absolutely amazing!

Looking up at the sky.

And before long the canyon comes to an abrupt end. It was short, but still a very amazing experience!

Looking back out.

And up.

Wall detail. I love all the alcoves and holes.

Back to the entrance. Really short slot canyon.

There is a side trail to a viewpoint that we decided to do. This section is a little more steps up, but was still pretty easy to do. This is looking back at Jenny’s Canyon.

Not a bad vista.

Strange ball of plant life. I imagine this is before the branch blooms? I don’t know, it is really bizarre. Well, we have a whole lot of canyon left to explore! Time to head back.

Rock alcoves.

The pathway.

Looking up the canyon.

This is truly an amazing trail! And I highly recommend doing it! Super easy, and really neat! I completely lost it inside the slot canyon. I can’t believe how awesome it was! It’s a great family friendly trail. Not to mention a good beginner slot canyon. 10 squirrels out of 10 for sure!

As for difficulty, well, as I mentioned it is super easy with barely any elevation gain. The slot canyon is flat and wide enough you don’t have to squeeze at all. DR3. I would even say it is suitable for kids.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail in Snow Canyon. However, they can be brought to the campground if you plan on camping here.