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From Science to Spirituality, Red Mountain Spa has it all
(St. George, Utah)
Located in the jaw-dropping majesty of the American
Southwest,
Red mountain Spa, not only encourages its guests to take a
hike, but maintains a hiking program unparalleled in the
destination spa industry. From novice to expert, sandstone
to lava rock, and science to spirituality, more than 30
hikes led by a staff of over 40 specialized guides satisfy
guests of all fitness levels and interests.
“In
keeping with both our adventure spa niche and our holistic
fitness approach, Red Mountain’s extensive hiking program is
uniquely designed to challenge guests physically, while
affording them the opportunity to expand themselves
emotionally and spiritually through developing an intimacy
with the landscape itself.” said John Ibach, Outdoor
Recreation Manager at Red Mountain Spa. “Guests can’t help
but be touched when they see the beauty of this terrain. I
still love watching people come alive in the outdoors as
they discover a new adventure with every step.”
Red Mountain Spa is situated
at the gateway to Snow Canyon State Park, and near Zion
National Park, Bryce Canyon and the North Rim Grand Canyon,
all renowned for their scenic beauty and unique landscapes.
Here, hikers are treated to an amazing display of desert
animal life, plants and rock formations that vary from
twisting spires of Navajo Sandstone, carved canyons, lava
flows and lava caves.
The area’s moderate winter climate allows for year-round
outdoor recreation. In an effort to make the most of the
ever-changing beauty and to maximize the guests’ enjoyment,
Red Mountains’ hikes are scheduled for seasonal variations.
All Red Mountain Trekker hikes are rated for length, pace
and elevation gain and guests are encouraged to hike at
their current fitness level with daily hikes from the
beginning to advanced level. A self-guided hiking
assessment is provided to all guests.
Red Mountain Spa offers
three levels in its expansive hiking program: Trekker 1, 2
and 3. If guests remain in their original group during any
given week and hike daily, they will never repeat a hike for
the duration of their stay. Following is a sampling of some
of the resort’s most popular hikes organized by level:
TREKKER ONE.
An excellent
beginner level, or for those arriving from lower elevations,
Trekker One hikes travel 2-4 miles at a leisurely pace of
approximately 1.5-3 miles per hour with rest breaks. These
hikes feature easy to moderate terrain and some paved road
walking. The trails are generally easy and manageable;
trails go through rock and sand.
Elevation gain may be up to 300 feet.
3-Mile Canyon --
An easy to moderate two to two and a half hour hike whose
path winds along the Santa Clara River. The area is lined
with Fremont cottonwood trees and features many ancient
petroglyphs.
Anasazi -- A
quick-paced, two-hour continuous hike on rocky, uneven
wilderness terrain which also
features numerous petroglyphs and offers great views of
Kayenta, the Santa Clara River and surrounding areas.
Paradise
Canyon --
A two-hour easy to moderately fast-paced hike on sandy,
rocky, uneven terrain. This hike boasts spectacular views
of unusual rock formations.
Petrified Sand Dunes
Overlook-- Two
hours of moderate hiking on Navajo sandstone (called slick
rock) this hike features fabulous 360-degree views.
Hidden
Pinyon Trail --
An easy two-hour hike into the heart of Snow Canyon State
Park with fabulous views in every direction of stunning red
rock cliffs, mesas topped with lava rocks and Pinyon trees
tucked within the canyon.
TREKKER TWO.
The hikes are on a variety
of trails, including slickrock, sandy washes, some rocky and
uneven terrain. Elevation gain ranges from 400-800 feet.
Hiking pace is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour with two or three
short breaks, with a distance of 4-6 miles.
Anasazi
-- Similar to
the Trekker 1 version of this hike, but a longer and a
slightly quicker paced hike.
Fern Gully
-- Fern Gulley is a challenging three hour hike in Snow
Canyon State Park through varying terrain of sand, loose
rock, and slickrock. This hike terminates in a fern-rich
alcove, featuring fascinating sandstone formations and views
of upper Snow Canyon State Park and distant Pine Valley
Mountain range.
Gunlock
Slot Canyon
-- A moderate
3-mile hike featuring a ¼ mile slotted canyon, unique
sandstone formations and wide open views of the surrounding
area including Gunlock Reservoir.
Hidden Pinyon Trail – More challenging than the Trekker
1 version of this hike, this moderate three hour hike in
Snow Canyon State Park includes a visit to a lava ridge
overlook with a sweeping 360 degree view of beautiful Navajo
sandstone formations and canyon walls.
Lava Overlook
-- A moderate-to-strenuous 3.6 mile hike through sand and
across sandstone, this hike features petroglyphs, a very
short and narrow slot through sandstone and fabulous views
of Snow Canyon State Park and a lava flow from over 2,000
years ago.
Joan’s
Bones
–
Although shorter in distance than most Trekker 2 hikes,
Joan’s Bones is a very strenuous hike with steep sections of
trail to reach it’s full 500 foot elevation gain. This hike
features a mix of Pinyon and Juniper trees and a spectacular
overlook of Snow Canyon State Park. Listen to the guides
tell you the legendary tale of Joan’s Bones.
Green
Valley Barrel Cactus
– A
rigorous 4.3 mile hike through rock formations dating back
over 225 million years revealing petrified wood and evidence
of long extinct marine life. This unique hike gains 740
feet in elevation, includes a visit to a cave, has unique
indigenous barrel cactus and offers stunning views of Cedar
Breaks, Zion National Park and the Pine Valley Mountain
Range.
-Paradise
Canyon
– Perhaps the
longest of the Trekker 2 hikes at 5.8 miles, Paradise Canyon
is a moderately fast-paced hike on sandy, rocky, uneven
terrain with a gradual elevation gain of 688 feet. This
hike boasts spectacular views of the immediate surrounding
area and features unusual rock formations.
Snow Canyon
Peaks
-- A
moderate to strenuous 3.6 mile hike, in the center of Snow
Canyon State Park over petrified sand dunes formed millions
of years ago. Featured climbs on this hike include
sandstone formations the guides refer to as Rock Master,
Electric Overlook and Rock Mistress.
TREKKER THREE.
These hikes are mostly on wilderness trails, some off-trail,
along sections of steep slickrock, in sandy desert washes,
and on loose rock and uneven terrain. Exposed rocks may be
present and the hikes may involve scrambling in wilderness
environments. Balance and awareness of risk is necessary.
Elevation gains on these hikes may exceed 1,000 feet. The
hiking pace is 3-3.5 miles per hour, with the distance
ranging between 5-8 miles. Previous endurance hiking
experience is highly recommended.
Sand Cove
Slick Rock – A three-hour, strenuous hike
offering sweeping 360 degree views.
Gila Trail
-- A one-way eight-mile,
three-hour strenuous hike starting in lava fields at Red
Mountain ending on top of Red Cliff, overlooking Red
Mountain Spa. This hike connects sections of Paradise Canyon
and Lava Overlook trails as described for Trekker 2.
Desert Tank -- A steep three-hour hike featuring lava
caves and contrasting white Navajo sandstone that traverses
the northern portion of Snow Canyon State Park.
Green Valley Barrel Cactus Trail – An extended version
of the Trekker 2 hike, this 6.3 mile hike has more elevation
gain, possible scrambling over unique sandstone rock
formations and includes a dramatic view over a section of
land called “The Arizona Strip.”
Wall Street/Padre Canyon Saddle
– Perhaps the
most strenuous of the Trekker Three hikes, this 5.1 mile
hike includes a steep ascent and descent over the Tuacahn
Saddle into Snow Canyon State Park. This hike continues
along a section of the Trekker 2 Fern Gully hike before
reaching a sandstone formation referred to as “Wall
Street”. Some guides say the sandstone wall looks like a
wall, while other say its steepness feels as if you are
climbing a wall. Aside from its physically challenging
aspect, this hike offers some of the most dramatic views of
Snow Canyon State Park.
Snow Canyon Park Volcano
-- Two hours
of moderate to strenuous hiking featuring fabulous
360-degree views.
Snow Canyon
Peaks/Desert Tank
– A moderate
to strenuous 7.1 mile hike over the petrified sandstone
formations of Snow Canyon State Park. This hike includes
hiking through sand and across rocky lava flows. It also
features a variety of desert flora and fauna and the trail
passes by unique lava caves on your way to the Desert Tank
at the north end of Snow Canyon State Park.
Red
Mountain/Awesome Chasm Trail
– This
strenuous 6.8 mile hike crosses through a Pinyon and Juniper
forest, through sections of sand, which includes a section
of steep switchbacks. The highlight of this hike is the apex
of Snow Canyon State Park where you can peer down a 1,000
foot sheer vertical wall that give some hikers a sense of a
very spiritual place that seems to be a world unto
itself.
Red Mountain
Spa additionally offers specialty hikes designed for
all levels that include geology walks, archeology walks, and
moonlight hikes:
Moonlight
Walk --
Guests can
enjoy the spirit and sounds of the desert as it comes alive
under the night sky. This is a most unique activity at Red
Mountain Spa. This hike is only scheduled at certain times
of the year and only during the fullest moon.
Spirit Hike
--
Join us on this
gentle walk and spiritual journey into the magical red
rocks. A silent walk starts this experience and a seated
meditation allows you to surrender to the sights and sounds
of the desert. The scale and power of the mountains and
canyons and the expansive landscape open our minds and allow
us to hear the subtle voice of the spirit. Explore the
surroundings and yourself in this unique two-hour spiritual
journey.
Native Spiritual Journey
-- Join us on
this cultural experience and take a step back in time. A
guided spiritual journey set against a red rock backdrop
exploring ancient native rituals, ceremonies and songs.
Discover the significance of the seven directions, the
ritual of smudging and cleansing, the mindfulness of prayer
ties and the healing qualities of nature's gifts. Learn the
magic and medicine that the high desert offers.
Journey through
Time: Archeology –
Learn to see with new eyes
as you explore the rich history of the Great American
Southwest in this interpretive walk. You will enjoy the
identification, interpretation and explanations of
observable physical remains and other phenomena left behind
by our ancestors. Enjoy the beauty of the area and the
lively discussion of past cultural history and life systems.
Journey
through Time: Geology --
Geologists from all over the world come to the American
Southwest to visit and study this amazing exhibit of
geology. A geologist will take you on a journey through time
in this interpretive walk. Learn how elements of ancient
climates and lands are recorded in the rock walls and how
the slow, but constant natural processes continue to change
the land.
Red Mountain’s Guide for
Hire Program
-- Our most popular customized experience, Guide for
Hire allows you to create your own personal adventure,
whenever and wherever you want to go! Our guides can provide
a personalized hike, climb, bike ride, trail run, or
archaeological adventure. Advance your skills through
personalized instruction provided by our professional
instructors. The options are as varied as your imagination!
The Wave --
The Secret Canyon known as “The Wave” is a unique natural
wonder rock formation. The trip is a challenging five-mile
day hike through the breathtaking North Butte area of
colorful sandstone domes and swirling carved canyons. It is
one of the most scenic and frequently photographed areas of
the west. Availability is limited due to the permit
process.
Grand Canyon National
Park, Rim-to-Rim –
View the Grand Canyon like
you have never viewed it before… from the bottom looking up!
This is the hike of a lifetime. This twenty-six mile,
two-day hike takes you from the North Rim to Phantom Ranch
and back out the South Rim. Phantom Ranch, a
cottonwood-shaded oasis, is located at the bottom of the
canyon on the Colorado River. Since the turn of the 20th
century, the Colorado River has beckoned many folks to leave
their creature comforts behind and hike in for a visit. The
temptation to get to the banks of this mighty desert river
can be very strong, enticing many to embark on one of the
most physically and mentally challenging endeavors of their
lives. Hikers will welcome the comfort of the historic stone
cabins and western style hospitality at Phantom Ranch. This
is by far the best way to enjoy and experience the grandeur
that is the Grand Canyon. Limited availability and
participants must meet established fitness criteria.
Bryce Canyon National
Park – The
Southwest offers few views as unique and breathtaking as the
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and its red rock spires, pinnacles
and “hoodoos”. Hiking among these wonders makes Bryce
Canyon’s splendor an experience unequalled by any story or
photograph. Queen’s Garden Trail, Thor’s Hammer and
Inspiration Point are some of the visual highlights of this
day trip.
The Gateway
– This trail
begins next to a small stream and immediately enters into a
slot canyon (Water Canyon) where hikers can observe a
free-standing arch, sheer cliffs and possibly waterfalls
during the spring snow melt. As the trail gains altitude
through this water-step passageway toward the top of Canaan
Mountain, the scenery changes dramatically to volcanic rock,
white sandstone hoodoos and slickrock amongst a pine tree
canopy. Upon reaching the top, where we stop to enjoy our
lunches, the views of Zion National Park and the surrounding
area are spectacular.
Valley of
Fire –
A spectacular
display of color and nature’s finest art are experienced in
this inspiring day trip. Valley of Fire is a geologic and
cultural wonder of the Nevada desert, near Lake Mead. This
is a seasonal hike and not offered during the summer.
Red
Mountain Spa, nestled in the red rock bluffs of Snow Canyon
State
Park in Southwest Utah and a mere two-hour drive from Las
Vegas, is
an extraordinary fitness and health destination featuring
outdoor adventure
and luxurious pampering. Highlights include the Sagestone
spa & salon
offering more than 50 treatments and services including
those utilizing
indigenous ingredients, and the most extensive hiking
program in the
Southwest. Red Mountain Spa specializes in outdoor
adventure fitness
programs for all levels. Owned by the Pivotal Group, based
in Phoenix,
Arizona, Red Mountain is headquartered at 1275 E. Red
Mountain Circle,
St. George, Utah 84738. For reservations call 435.673.4905,
toll-free at 1.800.407.3002, or visit the Web site at
www.redmountainspa.com.
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