Hiking Southwest Utah and Adjacent Areas

This guide is about hiking and generally exploring desert areas, specifically southwest Utah and adjacent areas (southern Nevada and northern Arizona). Each of the 25 hikes described in the guide originally appeared as a published story in The Spectrum (St. George, Utah daily newspaper).There is no better way to experience the ruggedness and beauty, the history of settlement by Native Americans and later pioneers, and the solitude than by simply hiking and exploring. The purpose in writing this book is to enhancement the enjoyment of all who wish to sample the richness of southwest Utah and adjacent areas. Included in the book are more than 25 color maps and more than 50 color photos taken during the hikes. Twenty-five hikes are featured, each one includes: a general description of the hike; trailhead access; average hiking time; hiking distance; fees and permits; elevations; best season for the hike; trail rating (difficulty); type of hike; United States Geological Survey map(s) used for the hike; online resources about each hike; a sense of humor/playfulness about each hike; and a full description of finding the trailhead and the hike. Additional chapters cover “How to Use This Guide,” “Desert Hiking Tips,” “Quick Hiking Guide,” “Trailhead Locator Maps,’ and a five pages of “Information Sources.” Go outdoors and relax, leave the pressures of daily life behind for a few hours. These hikes are not hard-core three day backpacking treks through the wilderness. That is a great thing, but not for the vast majority of people, even those who enjoy the outdoors. There are many good hiking books with long, tough hikes—this is not one of them. These are more of “get off the couch or out of your daily rut” and see what nature, plate tectonics, and erosion have given you. These stories and hikes are for the average person/family that understands the value of nature, but never quite gets out to enjoy it. I have explored and hiked the American Southwest for more than 25 years. My wife, Deb Looker, accompanied me on all those treks and every hike in this book.