Hiking Southern Utah: Hurricane Cliffs Rim Trail
Recommended trail users: Hikers, bikers, equestrians
Recommended season: Spring and fall
Type: Singletrack
Length: 7.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Hurricane Hills Trailhead: From Interstate 15, take exit 16 to Hurricane City. Travel west on State Route 9 for 9.5 miles and turn right on 100 South. Take the first left onto State Route 59. Continue 0.75 miles and turn left into the trailhead.
Virgin Dam Trailhead: From Interstate 15, take Exit 16 to Hurricane City. Travel west on State Route 9 for 9.5 miles and turn right on 100 South. Take the first left onto State Route 59. Continue 3.1 miles and turn left onto the gravel road. Travel 3.4 miles to the trailhead.
The Hurricane Cliffs Trail System is like a bigger, more expansive version of Chuckwalla and is a great place to get out and hike, walk, or ride. There are roughly 23 miles of single track up on the cliffs above Hurricane, providing more than ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather no matter your mode of transportation. Though the area was developed for mountain biking, it is a great place to get out for a nice hike or walk, take in the breathtaking views, get some fresh air, and spend some outdoors time with friends or family.
The Hurricane Cliffs Trail System is made up of the Rim, Canal, and Jem Trails, among others. The Rim Trail is a 7.3 mile-long trail that takes you along the rim of the cliffs on open BLM land surrounded by bluffs and plateaus and offers scenic vistas of Zion National Park and Pine Valley Mountain beyond.
If you want a nice, easy stroll, you can start at the Virgin Dam Trailhead and take a 1.8-mile walk (one way) on the Rim Trail that heads north away from Hurricane and turns east toward Virgin. The trail is a mixture of smooth, rolling terrain to rough, rocky slabs and offers nice views of the Virgin River along the way. Right now, the desert vegetation is blooming and lizards abound, so there is a lot to see, enjoy, and delight in. It offers a nice Sunday hike or family outing. It would make a wonderful evening hike as well.
If you want to do a nice seven-mile loop, you can combine the Rim Trail with the Canal Trail. Start at the Virgin Dam Trailhead and either head down to the Canal Trail and connect up with the Rim trail or vice versa. The Canal Trail is rated as difficult due to the narrow trail and exposure to drop offs as well as steep terrain. But it does offer the chance to hike through tunnels built along the canal, which adds a bit of history and fun to the hike. If you decide to do the Canal Trail, make sure to bring flashlights for the tunnels, and keep in mind that if you decide to mountain bike, the Canal Trail is for hiking only.
This is the perfect time of year to get out on the Hurricane Cliffs Trail System as going during summer is hot and offers virtually no shade or protection from the sun. So get out there and enjoy the trails while the great weather lasts.
Articles related to “Hiking Southern Utah: Hurricane Cliffs Rim Trail”
