Archive for the ‘Weather’ Category
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Grafton, Utah
 Grafton School House Grafton is a historic ghost town just south of Zion National Park and located along the Virgin River. The modern day town nearest Grafton, is Rockville. Grafton was first settled in 1859 and was located just one mile west of its present town site. In January of 1862 the town was completely washed away by a flood on the Virgin River. Settlers rebuilt the town a mile further up stream at its present site.
 Gravestone of young teenager killed in uprisings There were many log houses, a post office, a church, a school, and a community hall. The town was deserted in 1866 due to Indian attacks and resettled once the threat had subsided.
Said to be the most photographed ghost town in the West, it has been featured as a location in several films, including 1929’s “In Old Arizona” and the classic “Butch Cassidy and the Sandance Kid”, filmed in 1969 and starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. If you are familiar with the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” you may remember the scene where Newman is riding a bicycle while the music of B.J. Thomas serenades he and Katherine Ross (Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head). This was part of the scenes that were filmed at Grafton.
Directions: To get to Grafton Ghost town you will drive to the town of Rockville and look for a road labelled “Bride Road” at the east end of town (south side of street). Turn on this road and go south across the old iron bridge. Follow the road to the right as it turns west and becomes a dirt road. Travel this direction for a couple of miles until you see the Grafton cemetery on the left. The road to the old Grafton town site curves right (north) toward the Virgin River (just a few hundred yards). Park your car and wander around the old school house and through the old cemetery.
 Grafton Cemetery
Tags: butch cassidy, butch cassidy and the sundance kid, church, flood, Grafton, grafton ghost town, grafton utah, in old arizona, indian, indian attacks, katherine ross, paul newman, post office, robert redford, rockville, rockville utah, springdale, Springdale Utah, sundance kid, virgin river, Zion National Park, zion park Posted in Cities - Towns, Education, Geography, Ghost towns, Hiking, History, Scenic Drives, Springdale Utah, Weather, Zion National Park, virgin river
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
St. George ranked #1.
The Farmers Insurance Group of companies recently released it’s ranking of the top 2o ‘Most Secure U.S. Places to Live’. In this report, cities were divided into large, mid-size and small cities or metro areas. St. George, Utah was ranked #1 among the communities with fewer than 150,000 residents (small cities).
 Kids play in St. George Downtown Plaza Analysts studied key factors such as crime statistics, natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, terrorism threats, and environmental hazards.
With all that St. George already has to offer, it’s nice to be able to add “Safest Place” to the list. Mild climate, clean air, low annual precipitation, and world-class scenery are some of the other important reasons that St. George is one of America’s best places to live.
Click here for a reference to this information.
Perhaps a part of the reason for the safe lifestyle in St. George, Utah, is the traditional lifestyle of the Mormon pioneers who settled this region. With strong emphasis on the family, the local population base has benefited from strong relationships between parents and children. This atmosphere has attracted strong families from many faiths and backgrounds, and brought a valued diversity to the culture of St. George.
 Active lifestyles for residents and visitors add to safety. St. George, Utah is also considered to be one of the most active destinations in the world. The active lifestyle of residents and visitors is likely to have a curtailing effect on the crime that often comes from indolence or related factors. For more details on the active lifestyle of residents and visitors to St. George, Utah - click here.
The citizens of the St. George region appear to be part of a very productive society and mindful of the valuable assets they enjoy.
Tags: clean, clean air, clear, low precipitation, mild climate, safe, safe place, safe place to live, safest, safest place, safest place to live, saint george, saint george utah, scenery, St. George, St. George Utah, statistics, Zion National Park Posted in Cities - Towns, Health & Fitness, Safety, St. George Utah, Weather, Zion National Park
Monday, October 12th, 2009
For its size, there may be more active events and activities in the St. George, Utah area, than any place in the world. With a regional population of approximately 130,000 people, there is ample evidence to lend credence to this claim. “In St. George you’ll find art, theater, history and a host of healthy lifestyle activities. That’s why so many great events are held here,” says Roxie Sherwin, Director of the St. George Area Convention & Tourism Office. It’s one thing to claim you’re number one, and another to back it up with facts.
 Mountain Biking near Zion National Park Natural Attractions: We can begin with the natural outdoor attractions for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling and all-around outdoor adventure. St. George is home to; Zion National Park - rated the #1 U.S. National Park by Trip Advisor, three state parks, Pine Mountain at over 10,000 feet above sea level, and the convergence of three major ecosystems (the Great Basin Desert, Mojave Desert and the Colorado Plateau). The result is a unique blend of plants, animals and landscapes. “This diverse terrain just begs to be explored and the best method for doing so is on foot, mountain bike or with ropes, and that means plenty of physical activity,” says Sherwin. There are hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in this region and many of these paths offer geologic contours and scenic vistas that are unsurpassed. Add to that the 50 miles of hard-surface trails that traverse the St. George area and you open the door to higher quality experiences for cycling, roller-blading, walking, and running.
 St. George Marathon Major Active Events: St. George is host to several major events, along with a slew of significant races and tournaments including; the St. George Marathon, the Huntsman World Senior Games and the newest Ironman Triathlon. The St. George Marathon, held annually in October, includes a Health and Fitness Expo and brings in a large number of supporters. In the upcoming January 2010 issue, Runner’s World Magazine will list the St. George Marathon in its Annual Marathon Guide. Readers of Runner’s world voted this marathon the Most Organized! The race has also been named the fastest fall marathon, and one of the four best marathons in the world to plan a vacation around. It is consistently one of the top qualifying events for the Boston marathon.
The Huntman World Senior Games, with over 9,000 competitors, is a two-week event held in October. For senior athletes over the age of 50, this is the premiere annual event of its kind. Competitors have come from all 50 U.S. States and from over 60 countries.
World Triathlon Corporation just selected St. George as their newest event location. Once it was announced, and people realized where this would be held, all 2,500 participation slots were sold-out within a few months. The inaugural Ford Ironman St. George occurs in May of 2010.
Sports Tournaments: The city of St. George hosts approximately two dozen softball tournaments, and offers competitions for baseball, basketball, volleyball, rugby, soccer, wrestling, and track and field. There are also twelve runs and races, three triathlons, and ten cycling races and rides.
Resort Spa Central: Fitness Ridge Resort Spa was selected in October 2009 as the only fitness resort for the very popular “The Biggest Loser” weight-loss television show. Hence their new name - The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. Two other world-class fitness spas are also located in the St. George area; Green Valley Spa and Red Mountain Spa. It’s likely that no other location in the world can claim three fitness resort spas of this caliber.
 Golfers enjoy St. George Golf Course and Weather Golf Courses: This deserves to be ranked right up there with anything else that goes on in the St. George area. Here you’ll find 12 challenging golf courses, all within about 20 minutes of each other. The combination of quality, affordability and close proximity is hard to find anywhere in the United States and may indeed be unparalleled. Golfers from around the United States, Canada and many other countries are discovering St. George as a golf destination.
Sports Facilities / Tennis / Parks / Trails: For a smaller city the community and surrounding area offers a large number of active facilities. For instance, St. George is home to the nationally known Canyons softball complex and five other complexes that host multiple events, including the 325 team World Senior Games tournament. Additionally many other fields are available for soccer tournaments, rugby and other sporting events including; Hansen Stadium - (5,000 seats / Football, Soccer, etc.), the Burns Arena - (5,000 seats / Basketball / Volleyball, etc.), tennis facilities - (42+ area public courts + new Pickleball courts), Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, Washington City Community Center, St. George Recreation Center, over 35 area city parks for outdoor recreation and 50 miles of hard-surface trails.
 Hiking in the St. George, Utah area. When you add to this significant list the ideal winter weather conditions, with average daily temperatures that are perfect for outdoor activities, then you understand why St. George literally entices everyone to enjoy the full benefits of an active lifestyle. These examples illustrate some of the mounting evidence that this area, for its size, is the world’s most active destination.
For more details visit…
www.atozion.com, www.redrockgolftrail.com, www.zioncountryactiontours.com, www.utahstgeorge.com.
Tags: active, aquatic center, baseball, basketball, Biggest Loser, biggest loser resort, canyons complex, facilities, fit, fitness, fitness resort, Fitness Ridge, fitness spa, Golf, Golf Courses, health, healthy lifestyle, Hiking, huntsman world senior games, Ironman, ironman triathlon, marathon, most active destination, Mountain Biking, pickleball, rugby, running, saint george, saint george utah, sand hollow, senior games, soccer, softball, Spas, Sports, St. George, st. george golf courses, st. george ironman triathlon, St. George Utah, tourism, tournaments, track and field, trails, travel, volleyball, walking, walking trails, washington city, wrestling, Zion National Park Posted in ATV/4x4, Adventure, Biking, Canyoneering / Climbing, Cities - Towns, Flora & Fauna, Forest, Geography, Geology, Golf, Health & Fitness, Hiking, Ironman, Resort, Seasons, Spa, Sports, St. George Utah, Weather, Zion National Park
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Many people around the world, perhaps for the first time, are hearing the names St. George, Utah and Zion National Park. Both St. George and Zion National Park are located close to each other in southwestern Utah. This year, the worlds most popular travel information site, Trip Advisor, rated St. George and Zion National Park as the top in some very important categories; #1 Emerging Hot Spot and #1 National Park, respectively.
 Northerly view across St. George Utah - toward Snow Canyon State Park This type of recognition has been a fairly regular occurence in recent years and this is certainly causing people around the world to take notice and ask the question, “Why St. George?”, or “Why Zion National Park?” The world offers so many vacation choices that this becomes a valid question. We’ll identify a few answers in the numbered points below.
1- Quality of People / Welcoming Environment / Safety: St. George is part of the state of Utah, well know for its conservative family values. Re-nowned radio personality, Paul Harvey once visited this southern Utah region and raved about the world-class scenery, but then in specific reference to the finest quality of this region, he stated emphatically, “Aren’t the people great!”
 St. George area Golf Course 2- Non-humid Climate / Mild Winters: St. George and Zion both sit in the very southwest corner of Utah where two deserts come together. With neighboring mountains ranging over 10,000 feet, the clouds seem to pass high overhead, thus creating over 325 days of sunshine in this region. Winter temperatures are in the 60’s and perfect for outdoor activities such as golf, and other outdoor adventure.
3- Close Proximity to many Quality Golf Courses : Within a 20 mile radius are 12 excellent and challenging golf courses. The quality and affordability of these courses is still somewhat undiscovered and this opens the door for the new vsiitor to find a new “favorite” golf destination. www.redrockgolftrail.com
4- Convenient access – I-15, Las Vegas, St. George Airport: St. George is about six hours by vehicle from Los Angeles and just 90 minutes from Las Vegas and travel from both cities (including Salt Lake City) is a straight shot on Interstate 15. St. George also offers many daily flights, via Salt Lake City, on a Delta connection regional airline.
5- Entertainment / Arts: This season, in the St. George area, you can see Broadway style musical productions such as AIDA, Annie and Footloose, at a regional outdoor amphitheater called Tuacahn. In 2010 this entertainment venue will offer Cats, Disney’s Tarzan, and Crazy For You. Tuacahn is not alone with great entertainment, the St. George Musical Theater, Southwest Symphony, and many other entertainment options are found in the St. George, Zion National Park area. Add to this a large variety of art galleries and you’ll find your fill of the cultural arts. www.tuacahn.org
 Horseback Riding in Snow Canyon State Park 6- Scenic Attractions / Outdoor Adventure / Public Lands Access: St. George is literally surrounded by protected public lands. Forests, BLM Land, State Parks, Wildlife Reserves, Monuments and National Parks dot the surrounding landscape. The wide-open spaces open up in every direction. Bring your hiking boots, mountain bikes and more to explore this region.
7- Overall Vacation Package: In addition to the number items above you’ll find excellent lodging, spas, dining, shopping and other valued services.
So there’s an overview of the compelling reasons why this is the place to visit next. From the significant list above you can see that there’s a big reason when people ask the question “Why St. George” - we simply reply, “We have everything - From A to Zion!” www.AtoZion.com
Tags: #1, best, BLM, broadway, cats, dining, forests, Golf, Hiking, lodging, Mountain Biking, national parks, number 1, saint george, Shopping, Spas, St. George, St. George Utah, State Parks, tarzan, temperatures, trip advisor, Tuacahn, utah, Weather, wildlife, Zion National Park Posted in Adventure, Biking, Cities - Towns, Entertainment, Geography, Geology, Golf, St. George Utah, Weather, Zion National Park
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
 Slot Canyon near Zion National Park Slot Canyons and Summer. These are two things that go together well in the Zion National Park and St. George, Utah area. There are many locations in the area that offer slot canyon experiences of varying levels of difficulty. The one shown here is a slot on the western edge of Zion National Park (actually outside the park boundaries). Zion National Park is well-known for being the birth-place of what is called canyoneering. Essentially canyoneering is the exploration of narrow canyons. The sandstone formations of this region of Utah are easily shaped by the erosion power of water and deep slots have been cut into the sandstone, particularly where there is a regular flow of water from rain or snow melt.
These photos were taken this week and the water is running through this slot at a fairly rapid rate. The water is cool this time of year but you are in and out of the water so your feet have a chance to warm up. In some short sections you may be in water up to your waist. This person wore a swim-suit, since it dries out so quickly.
 Negotiating a small waterfall It is wise to take some zip-lock or other plastic containers to place electronics (cameras, etc.) inside when you navigate certain areas. Other good things to consider are as follows; change of clothes, towel, snacks, plenty of water, sandals or water-shoes. Remember to check the weather forecast before you go into a slot canyon. If there is rain expected in an area above where you are hiking, you should not enter a slot canyon. Check with federal agencies such as the BLM or Natioanal Park service for information on canyoneering in this area.
Tags: canyon, canyoneering, river, slot, slot canyon, St. George, utah, waterfall, Zion National Park Posted in Adventure, Canyoneering / Climbing, Cities - Towns, Geography, Geology, Hiking, Seasons, Springdale Utah, St. George Utah, Weather, Zion National Park
Friday, April 10th, 2009
Red Cliff Recreation area is one place that reminds me of how lucky I am to live in Southern Utah. Tucked up against the red sandstone cliffs, this area is one of my favorite places to go for an afternoon hike and a picnic.
The mild spring weather created a perfect afternoon of sunshine, and the lure of the outdoors became irresistible. After gathering the clan and throwing together a quick picnic lunch, we hopped in the car and drove to the Leeds exit (#22) and headed two miles south until we reached the sign that directs you to the old road that passes under the freeway. The kids thought the quick jaunt through the tunnel under the freeway was quite exciting, but the energy went up a couple of notches when we arrived at the campground.
It was evident that spring had arrived, with the colorful blooms on the cacti and the leaves beginning to unfurl on the cottonwood trees. We hiked into the narrow sandstone canyon up the Red Cliffs Nature trail along the stream until coming to the waterfall, where the water has worn a smooth slide in the rocks making and inviting place to jump in the water. (which was still a bit chilly!)
Hiking back, we were fortunate to see a Gila Monster crossing the trail and heading into the craggy sandstone. After enjoying our improvised picnic, we headed over to the Little Man archeological site and saw the ruins of an Anasazi structure.
The afternoon wound down and the sun began to set, which turned the cliffs into a vibrant sea of color. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day enjoyed in the Southern Utah sun.
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Here’s a great podcast about the new Ironman course. http://ow.ly/1pE1
Endurance Nation Coach Rich Strauss discusses the St. George course with professional mountain biker and coach Lynda Wallenfels, of LWCoaching.com. Lynda is a long time resident of St. George, a former Ironman athlete, and knows every inch of the bike and run courses.
She and Rich discuss weather, terrain, road conditions, hills, curves, chip seal, water temp, where to spectate, where to park, where to stay and much, much more!
Tags: Add new tag, Ironman, Mountain Biking, saint george, saint george utah, Sand Hollow State Park, Snow Canyon State Park, St. George, St. George Utah, St. George Utah Mountain Biking, st. george utah weather, temperatures, Weather, Zion National Park Posted in Biking, Cities - Towns, Events, Ironman, Restaurants, Snow Canyon, Sports, St. George Utah, State Parks, Weather, Zion National Park
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
 Looking up at Angels Landing Just took a really nice solo hike yesterday morning up to Scout Lookout in Zion National Park. What a great way to start your day.
Scout Lookout is the junction point on the Angels Landing trail where casual hikers settle in and enjoy the view, while the more daring grip the chains and continue on to the pinnacle of Angels Landing. I’ve been to the pinnacle several times – but today wasn’t about reaching the farthest point. I was actually looking for my sunglasses.
A few days ago my 11-year-old son and I took advantage of some free time and spent the afternoon together in Zion National Park. It was one of those treasured father-son afternoons where just the two of us got to enjoy the incredible scenery and share in some rewarding conversation. Zion is a perfect setting for communication. The towering cliffs create a sort of reverence that prompts you open up and reveal your inner feelings. Hiking the trails provides a rich supply of intriguing twists and powerful vistas that spur the imagination.
What I learned is that the 2-mile trek is a perfect little starter for a great day. The morning solitude was refreshing and the views on the hike are unreal. “That’s a long way to go for a pair of glasses,” I was told. But even though I’d just done the hike just 36-hours earlier, I wasn’t the least bit disappointed.
 Angels Landing Trail It’s the middle of winter, but winters are mild here, and even though there were patches of snow left over from a recent storm, the hiking weather was ideal, and the snow added a new dimension that you rarely see in this area. We had a fantastic afternoon together, and we committed to try to make it a monthly event. The only glitch was when I left my prescription sunglasses on a rock at Scout Lookout before we started the hike down. I didn’t realize they were missing until we were at the bottom and by then it was getting dark. So today, I decided to take an early morning hike to see if by some chance the glasses were still where I left them.
From the trail head at the Grotto Picnic Area, you can reach Scout Lookout in an hour or so if you just keep a steady pace. I had the trail to myself, except for a couple of deer who jumped from the path and gave me a curious look as I passed by. Up a little further, a small group of “20-something-year-olds” gave me a smile as they jogged their way down from an early morning flashlight run. When I reached the summit it was just me, the mountain, and the view. Nice!
I didn’t find my sunglasses this morning, but it didn’t seem to matter. I was really just reconfirming the memories of a great day in a great place with a great boy.
 Looking down from Scout Lookout The Angels Landing Trail is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in Zion National Park. (See more pictures at www.atozion.com) The trail is paved and well maintained up to Scout Lookout, and the vista from the 1000-foot sheer drop is breathtaking. You don’t have to go to the top to have a great experience, but if you continue up the narrow ridge to Angels Landing, the trail is a different story. In that section, hiker’s work their way up a jagged spine with the help of anchored support chains that are attached along precarious sections. The view at the top is a 360 degree masterpiece.
 View of Angels Landing and the Great White Throne from Scout Lookout
Tags: Angels Landing, exploring, family fun, Hiking, Scout Lookout, trails, Zion Canyon, Zion National Park Posted in Adventure, Geography, Hiking, Weather, Zion National Park
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
 Flowering Cactus - Temple Quarry Trail Every year people want to know when the desert will start to bloom. The cactus and wildflowers will likely start to bloom in March when daytime temperatures can range into the 70’s and sometimes 80 degree range. This year their has been a great deal of moisture and spring grasses and flowers will be extra plentiful. Because elevations in the St. George area range from from 2,000 feet and on up to over 10,000 feet, you’re sure to catch flowers blooming at one life-zone or another well into the summer. The St. George area sports a wide range of cactus types that will all be blooming in March or April and even possibly into May, depending on temperatures. You can easily see the desert in bloom by venturing out onto BLM ground in any direction or by walking on trails in Snow Canyon State Park, or other hiking trails in the area. Flowers will bloom in Zion National Park (4,000 feet elevation) a few weeks or even a month later than in St. George. One of the bonuses of viewing flowers at this time of year, is the possibility of seeing a Mojave Desert Tortoise. Tortoises come out of their burrows in the spring and feed on certain flowering plants. You may pick up books on area plants and flowers at local bookstores or at the Arizona Strip Interpretive Association on Riverside Dr. in St. George.
Tags: BLM, bloom, bureau of land management, cactus, desert, desert bloom, desert blooming, flowers, hiking trails, moisture, rain, Snow Canyon State Park, St. George Utah, trails, Weather, wild flowers, wildflowers, Zion National Park Posted in Cities - Towns, Flora & Fauna, Scenic Drives, St. George Utah, Weather, Zion National Park
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
I had a couple of hours before dark last night and wanted to get a good bike ride in. I had heard of some trails south of the Santa Clara River (accessible from the town of Santa Clara). I crossed the new bridge at the west end of Santa Clara Utah and rode up and over a hill (going south). Following a dirt road I swung right (west) just after the top of the hill and did a climb up the road toward a large water tank (painted green). Over that hill I could see a parking area for vehicles to the southwest (200 yards) and I went that direction. A sign indicating the “Barrel Roll” trail was there. Off I went climbing that trail and followed it to the highest point. The sun was going down and I didn’t have my camera, but boy did I wish for it. I could see all of Kayenta and the Red Mountains to the north. Looking eastward Snow Canyon State Park, Pine Valley Mountain, Zion National Park, Little Creek Mountains, the Black Hill and much more were visible. I’d rate the view as good as any in the region, especially with the sun going down. I did have my cell phone and I called a biking friend and tried to make him jealous about where I was. He was at the office working. I called my brother who was on a business trip in Florida (West Palm Beach). He said it was cold there and I told him how warm I was and how great the view was. Here’s a link to some detailed information with photos, a map and a clear description of how to get there.
ttp://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/barrelroll.htm
Here’s some more biking information for the area:
http://www.utahstgeorge.com/biking.html
It got dark, so I didn’t get to do the whole trail. This entry is made in January and I was riding in a shirt and shorts all the way up. On the way down, after the sun went down, I pulled out a sweat-shirt to keep me warm on the fast-run back to the Santa Clara River. The trail runs along the rim of various hills with views into ravines of the western St. George / Santa Clara area. This trail is a hiking / biking trail - so good for either experience. The bottom line is - there are great trails, everywhere, for hiking and biking in the St. George Utah area. I love it!
Tags: Biking, Mountain Biking, Santa Clara River, Santa Clara Utah, St. George, St. George Utah, St. George Utah Mountain Biking, trail Posted in Adventure, Biking, Cities - Towns, Hiking, Snow Canyon, St. George Utah, Weather
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