What are your spring plans?

[MojaveGeek]

Very timely topic. I'll be in St George Utah over Memorial Day weekend with my son. We'll go to the north rim of the Grand Canyon one day, per his request, but I don't have a plan for the other day yet, so I'd be interested in suggestions. We have already hiked the Kolob Canyons of Zion, so something else. Not Bryce either - I like it, but we've done it a lot.

Since the North Rim will be a long drive day, I'll suggest Red Mountain, just north of Snow Canyon state park.  The trail is in the P/J forest so usually some shade near at hand.  The first few miles, to a spur where there is a very nice view down into Snow Canyon, are relatively popular. But the trails goes on.  After a while you can see a large white slickrock area off to the left - it is just a bit off trail.  If you wander over to its high point you get another very nice view into Snow Canyon.  I saw only one party after the spur.  (I was alone at the viewpoint on the spur I mentioned above for a while, then a large group from a local 'fitness / health resort' showed up, very chatty).  That's about 10 miles but I can check if you're interested.


Another option is Yant Flat (aka the Candy Cliffs).  You get there by a forest service road out of Leeds that goes by Swedish (?) Ranch.  Maybe 1.5 mile walk level through sand, then some pretty cool sandstone formations that my son and I call the "bacon blobs".  There are trees on the sandy part.  Go early for the best light.



 
The Pine Valley mountains are scenic but probably will still be snowy.   You can go up the Kolob Terrace road (it goes north just before Rockville, up into the park.).   Lava Point will likely still be snowed in but if not you can hike the West Rim and look down into Zion.  A bit lower, East Northgate Peak is a walkup, and will be snow free - nice views over toward the Guardian Angels.