Vermillion Castle Trail

The Trail

This is a moderate 0.8 mile (one way) trail with a 517 foot elevation change. However, although the trail averages moderate, all the climbing for this trail takes place along the switchbacks during the first half, and this section of the trail would probably classify as difficult.

There are a number of interesting rock formations along the trail. A small wind cave is located along the swtichbacks, and as hikers approach the top, there are a number of ridges formed out of conglomerate rock. There are even some wild looking hoodoos formed from the conglomerate rock. Soon after the hoodoos the trail levels out a great deal with only very gentle elevation changes until you reach the end of the trail. Enjoy the interesting white sandstone rocks and the twisted trees as you continue along and finally reach the Vermillion Castle rock formations that mark the trail's end.

On the maps below, a little detour is shown in green that lead to a lookout spot.

There is also a picnic and camping area just before the Vermillion Castle trail head if you turn off for the Noah's Ark trail head. There are nice restrooms here with flush toilets, however, the water at this spot is not potable.

Topographical Map (green=side path to lookout)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth (green=side path to lookout)

Vermillion Castle

View of Noah's Ark with white sandstone rocks in foreground

Hoodoos

 

Directions

This hike is located in Iron County near Cedar City and Parowan. If
you are approaching Parowan from the north, take exit 78 off of I-15 and turn left onto Main Street. Continue to UT-143/Canyon Rd. and turn right. About 3.6 miles down this road, turn left onto Yankee Meadow Road/Bowery Creek Road/1st Left Hand Road. The trail head is a little over two miles up this road on the left side.

If you are coming from the south, take exit 75 off of I-15 and turn right onto 200 South. Turn right onto UT-143/Canyon Rd. and continue about 3.1 miles until you reach Yankee Meadow Road/Bowery Creek Road/1st Left Hand Road Continue as explained above.

God's Rock Trail

The Trail

This is an easy 1 mile (one way) trail with an elevation change of only about 85 ft. The trail starts from Loop E at the Blackhawk Campground. Soon after the trail head you pass through a gate (marked by green flag on the map below - don't forget to close it behind you). As you continue along, the trees gradually open up revealing views of the surrounding mountains. The trail ends at the top of a hill with nice panoramic views. We didn't get all the way to the top of the hill, so the information given about trail length and elevation change is only valid for the portion of the trail we traveled. The rest of the trail is shown in green as a rough estimation of the rest of the trail on the maps below.

The trail was a little difficult to follow in some places since it was rather overgrown in areas. A few trails seemed to break off from it heading west that are also a bit difficult to follow.

This trail is open to horses. The blue flag marks a watering trough in the middle of Soap Flat.

Topographical Map (green=estimation of continuation of trail)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Maps (green=estimation of continuation of trail)

Mount Nebo

 

Directions

This trail is found along the Nebo Loop in Utah County. If you are coming from the north, take exit 250 for Payson off of I-15. Turn left onto 3200 West, which turns into Main Street. Follow Main Street to 800 South and turn left. Take the first right onto South Canyon Road. When the road ends, turn right again onto Nebo Loop Rd. Continue on this road up the canyon for about 13 or 14 miles until you see signs for Blackhawk. Turn left onto Blackhawk Campground Rd. and follow the signs to Loop E. If you don't have a campsite in the area, there is a parking lot at the front of the loop with a $6.00 fee to park there for the day. The trail starts on the east side of the loop at about N39 53.368 W111 37.464.
 

If you are coming from the south, it is better to take exit 248 off of I-15, turn right onto 800 South, and continue straight until you reach South Canyon Road.

Lake Angela by way of the Pacific Crest Trail

The Trail

This trail is an easy 3.2 mile (one way) stretch of

Lake Angela

the Pacific Crest Trail with a 276 foot elevation change. The trail is lined with tall evergreen trees, splashed with colorful wildflowers, and scattered with smooth granite boulders. It sports fantastic views of the surrounding peaks and of Donner Lake. The first part of the trail is very shady and there are several muddy ponds in which catfish can be seen. Parts of the trail may be muddy or covered with snow. The ponds and a marsh area make ideal mosquito breeding grounds, so wearing bug repellent is a good idea.

As the trail continues, it becomes more open and rocky. The trail drops a little before rising again. After reaching the summit and starting down, Donner Pass Road and the train tracks are visible to the south. If you continue along the trail, you will eventually reach Donner Pass Road. To get to Lake Angela, we turned off the trail soon after we reached the summit. We heard rumors of a trail that turns off to the lake from the Pacific Crest Trail before this point, but we couldn't find it. Instead, after the first switchback or two on the way down, we headed over the ridge and toward the power lines immediately west of the trail (turn off point marked on the map with a green dot: N39 19.425 W120 19.311). After crossing over the ridge, we could see the lake below. We made our way through some brush and followed what appeared to be odd pieces of various disconnected trails down to the lake. Angela Lake itself is beautifully clear and blue.

Azalea Lake and Flora Lake are not visible from the Pacific Crest Trail, but probably would not be hard to find with a map and/or GPS. There is supposed to be a turn off from the Pacific Crest Trail at N39 20.24469 W120 19.85254 (marked with a red triangle in the map below) for a trail that goes past all the lakes, and this route is also shorter than following the Pacific Crest Trail. However, it is not obvious or easy to find, and we missed that trail as well.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Maps

One of the Mud Ponds

View of Donner Lake from the Pacific Crest Trail

Lake Angela

Directions

From I-80, take exit 176 for Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Rd. (about a 45 minute drive from Reno). After exiting, turn south. At Bunny Hill Dr., turn left and continue to the parking lot at the end of the road. The trail head is well marked with a plaque detailing the Pacific Crest Trail and some other trails in the area.