In late August we posted on our blog that the 2010 Ford Ironman St. George has been nominated for an award as the Best New Sports Event. Here’s some additional details about how this nomination came about, and how you can still participate in the final voting.
Sports Travel Award - Ford Ironman St. George
Readers of SportsTravel magazine (including you) are able to nominate and then vote for the best sports travel events in several categories. The criteria for nominations includes; superior organization of and attendance at the event, a superior experience for the competitors and/or spectators at the event, and how the site or venue served to enhance the event. You may read SportsTravel magazine by clicking on the above link and you may visit this next link to cast your vote. Final voting is open through September 13, 2010. Winners will be announced at a sports travel conference and expo, held October 18-22, 2010, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine recently commented, “Since the location of the event is a major part of the criteria for being nominated, the people of St. George should take great pride in knowing that an event held in their city is being recognized for its excellence.”
Contestant crosses finish line in Ford Ironman St. George
“The positive response to the Ironman event was overwhelming,” said Kevin Lewis, Director of Sports Marketing for the St. George Convention and Tourism Office. “Our community embraced the Ironman with the same spirit and enthusiasm they show for the other great events we host here and Ironman participants were thrilled by it. Ninety-eight percent of participating athletes gave St. George the highest possible rating in our post event survey,” said Lewis. “The event is certainly deserving of recognition, and we are excited about the nomination,”
We invite you to cast your vote here, and pass this opportunity along to your friends and associates.
First Annual Documentary Film Festival in St. George, Utah and Kanab, Utah - September 16-25, 2010
In just two weeks the first annual DOCUTAH international documentary film festival will open for a 10-day event. Hosted in the red rocks of scenic southern Utah, DOCUTAH is a documentary only film festival. The event, set to be hosted in both St. George and Kanab, Utah, will feature documentaries in both indoor and outdoor theater facilities.
Scenic viewpoint in Utah's Zion National Park
This event, envisioned by Phil Tucket who is an Emmy award winning producer/director, is expected to grow to become an event of true international caliber.
Two spectacular gala events will be held in majestic outdoor settings. The opening gala, to be held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010, at the Tuacahn Amphitheater and Center for the Arts. A special closing gala (Friday, September 24th) will be held on Friday, September 24th, 2010, in Kanab, Utah.
Outdoor screenings will be held in multiple locations including the St. George Town Square, the Dixie State College O.C. Tanner Amphitheater in Springdale, Utah, and the Frontier Movie Town in Kanab.
DOCUTAH is sponsored by multiple organizations including Dixie State College, The Center for Education, Business and the Arts (CEBA), St. George City, St. George Convention and Tourism Office, Kanab City, and the Kane County Office of Tourism and Film Commission.
For more information on film schedules and locations, tickets and previews, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.docutah.com.
Kolob Terrace Road begins in the small town of Virgin, Utah about 15 miles west of Zion National Park’s south entrance. This road offers access to several trailheads and overlooks, including the Left Fork of North Creek, The Subway slot canyon, West Rim Trail, Lava Point Overlook, and Kolob Reservoir. From the town of Virgin the road ascends to a plateau and runs for about 25 miles through diverse and dramatic backcountry scenery, disecting Zion National Park between Zion Canyon and its lesser-explored sister, Kolob Canyon. The name “Kolob” comes from Mormon (LDS) scripture, indicating a star near Heaven. Climbing Kolob Terrace Road to nearly 8,000 feet above sea level it’s easy to see this area comes close to Heaven, in both elevation and beauty.
A horse grazes in tall grass fields on the Kolob Terrace near Zion National Park
How to get there: Kolob Terrace Road offers instant access to wilderness and solitude; you won’t find Zion’s crowds here. Look closely for a small sign indicating Kolob at the intersection of Highway 9 in Virgin. The paved road starts out lined with fertile pastures, then climbs steeply into the red cliffs, winding in and out of the park through mountainous alpine forest, rugged canyonland, and the open expanse of the Lower Kolob Plateau. Inside the park you’ll pass the Firepit Knoll cinder cone, cross over Pine Spring Wash, and pass the West Rim trailhead, before reaching one of the park’s literal and figurative high points: Lava Point Overlook. Sitting at 7,890 feet, Lava Point Overlook is the one of the higher peaks in Zion National Park and offers a stunning panoramic view. Lava Point Road also offers access to the remote Blue Springs Reservoir and the Wildcat Trailhead, where the hike through The Subway begins (permit required).
About five miles from Lava Point Road, pristine Kolob Reservoir lies at 8,8118 feet just outside the park boundary. A few ranches and log cabins dot the landscape on the way to the well-stocked reservoir but if you’re seeking solitude, good trout fishing, and primitive camping, this is the place. The final stretch of road around the reservoir and beyond is unpaved. Most people choose to turn around and go back the way they came.
In winter the upper section of this road can be closed with snow but the lower section is still worth the drive. Check road conditions with the ranger station prior to heading out during winter months.
Highway 18 (SR-18) encompasses a 40-mile stretch between St. George and Enterprise. As part of the Legacy Loop Highway, the paved scenic byway winds past rugged red canyons and dramatic turns of history as it follows along a section of the historic Old Spanish Trail trade route.
Highway 18 begins in St. George, just south of I-15, and heads north past the Ledges Golf Club and through the black lava-capped sandstone cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. The road continues northwest through Wide Canyon, and past the imposing Veyo Volcano cinder pit. A four-mile hike leads to the summit of this geologic relic (5,223-feet above sea level) , where panoramic views of Snow Canyon and the surrounding mountains and valleys await. Continue the short drive north to the quiet, bucolic community of Veyo (pop. 724), an acronym for “virtue, enterprise, youth, and order” coined by the girls of a local Mormon youth group “Beehive girls” in the early 1900s.
Diamond Valley area volcanic cinder cone near Snow Canyon State Park
North of Veyo, Highway 18 winds for another 21 miles through the hills and vales of the Dixie National Forest. The remote community of Central is the gateway to Pine Valley town, reservoir, and recreation area; exit Highway 18 onto Forest Highway 35 and head east for about ten miles. At an elevation of 6,500 feet Pine Valley is known for its alpine forest, cool summer temperatures, camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Continuing north on Highway 18, you’ll pass the site of the controversial Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. The road then turns northeast for the final stretch to Enterprise (pop. 1285), a small upper valley town with access to camping, hunting, and rainbow trout fishing in nearby Upper and Lower Enterprise Reservoirs.
Ironman triathlon participants compete in the swim portion of the race at Sand Hollow State Park.
The 2010 edition of the Ford Ironman St. George is schedule to debut on television on June 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. MST on the Universal Sports channel. This channel is available on KSL’s digital 5.2 (over air broadcast) and on Comcast 113. Click here for a link to Universal Sports.
The inaugural Ironman triathlon event took place in the St. George area on May 1, 2010 and was immediately rated by many participants as one of America’s best Ironman triathlon experiences. The challenging course, dominant scenery and exceptional friendliness of the local people were listed as reasons for the race being so highly rated.
A subsequent encore presentation of the event will be show on NBC, August 1, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. (MST). (KSL - Channel 5 - in Utah)
Hiker looks up at Kolob Arch. One of the two largest arches in the world.
Where is it? The Kolob Finger Canyons road is a five-mile scenic drive through the magnificent Kolob Fingers of Zion National Park. Hold your hand in front of your face and you’ll have an idea of the shape of these canyons as you look at your fingers and the space between. Access to this section of the park is from Interstate 15 (Exit 40), north of St. George and near the town of New Harmony, Utah. This is a less frequently visited section of the park and offers grand views, and access to some magnificent hiking and backpacking trails.
What will I see there? The road begins at the Kolob Canyons entrance, and ends at the Timber Creek Overlook. The road climbs over 1,000 feet within the five mile drive and partly follows a fault line for the Markagunt Plateau. On your left you’ll pass five finger-like formations with deep canyons in-between. You’ll find several pull-outs with interpretive signs at various points along the way.
What trails can we hike? Two miles into the drive you’ll pass the trailhead for the middle fork of Taylor Creek. This is a moderate five-mile hike that passes two historic homesteads, several large rock formations, and then ends at Double Arch Alcove.
At the 3.5 mile mark you’ll find the beginning of the Lee Pass Trail-head. This is the trail that leads to the La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch. This arch is one of the largest free-standing arches in the world. The strenuous back country hike is 14 miles round-trip over soft sand and across streams. It is a good trip for an overnight stay. A permit is required to stay overnight.
Kolob Canyon Road ends at an elevation of 6,369 feet. The road comes to a scenic view point and visitors have access to a picnic area and an easy to moderate one-mile round-trip hike that offers higher views of Timber Creek, the Pine Valley Mountains.
What does it cost to enter this part of Zion National Park? The Kolob Canyon Road is open year-round. During winter months you may want to call ahead to check on road conditions. Visitors can pay the entrance fee ($25 per vehicle, good for seven days to all of Zion National Park) at the Kolob Canyon visitor center. Your Golden Eagle National Parks pass will also give you access to the Kolob Finger Canyons area.
Zen Trail - Mountain Biking: The ride has much to offer and is comparable to the challenges of Gooseberry Mesa, but the Zen trail offers more of a sloping terrain. This trail is considered by many to be the most technical mountain bike ride in the St. George area. It has numerous rock obstacles or challenges and should be approached with anticipation and a little caution for the first time. This is a mountain biking trail that is recommended for intermediate and advanced riders. Bring along your a good attitude and your sense of adventure.
Mountain Biking on the Zen Trail
How to get there: The Zen trail starts at 2,700 feet (823 m), just left of the road to the northern Bearclaw Poppy trailhead, in the bottom of the valley. If you’re riding counterclockwise, you can climb either of the first two doubletracks which offer some technical riding before the two routes come together.
The highest part of the Zen trail reaches an altitude of 3,450 (1,051 m). There’ll be about 1,100 feet of climbing if you do the loop ride that returns by the lower singletrack. The loop is 6 miles in total distance.
The Zen Trail offers many different experiences. There’s the straightforward but fairly stiff one-mile climb to get to the “business area” of the ride. There are the technical challenges as you enter areas of pillow-shaped sandstone and hoodoos. The rock monoliths are so visually interesting. There are also expansive vistas. One minute you cruise along snaking desert singletrack and the next you’re route-picking over slabs of rock.
At mile 1.8, you’ll spot trails running in many directions. Stay to the left and slide straight across the small valley, and then climb the big rock to a shelf on the other side. There are interesting nooks and hideaways in the rock formations here, and that’s the reason for so many trails.
Whatever your purpose in tackling the Zen trail, you’ll find it to be one of the most interesting and challenging rides you’ve come across.
Snow Canyon State Park is a remarkable scenic and biologically diverse destination, and is located just 10 minutes north of St. George, Utah. Recently Equitrekking host Darley Newman joined local Snow Canyon horseback riding outfitter, Patty Arnett, on a ride in Utah’s Snow Canyon State Park. This magnificent state park would probably be a national park, if it weren’t in Utah, where we already have five national parks.
Many scenes from Hollywood movies were filmed among these beautiful landscapes of Snow Canyon State Park. Some of the films that were partially filmed here include The Electric Horseman, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Jeremiah Johnson.
– So you left the kids behind, or they flew the coop years ago. Get out and enjoy some activities or relax and pamper yourself. Here’s some things to do for couples in the St. George area.
St. George Utah Restaurant Dining
- Fine Dining. There are a large selection of restaurants in the St. George and Zion National Park area. St. George and Springdale, Utah are noted for some excellent dining options. Dining options can be found at this link – click here.
Massage - Spa Treatment - St. George, Utah
- Day Spas. You’ll be pleased with the large selection of day spas or multi-day resort spas in the St. George area. Get a spa treatment after a round of golf or an afternoon of shopping before you venture out for your dining or evening entertainment.
Tuacahn - Broadway Style Musical Productions
- Tuacahn and other theatrical options. The Broadway style theatrical musical productions at are a must-do at the Tuacahan Center for the Performing Arts. Check their calendar for concerts and other productions. In St. George there are other options such as; plays or concerts at Dixie State College, concerts at the Dixie Center, concerts or performances at the St. George Tabernacle and theatrical productions by the St. George Musical Theater. Click here for a list of options.
For other options - visit our AtoZion.com web-site (links below):
- Laser tag and mini-golf and fun centers. Fun centers such as Laser Mania and Fiesta Fun Center offer game rooms, and a variety of activities for any age, but teenagers will enjoy these locations as much as anyone. Go carts, batting cages miniature golf, laser tag, bumper boats and other activities may be found at fun centers such as these. (click here)
Shopping - St. George, Utah
- Shopping: Anyone interested in shopping will find plenty of options in St. George with boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, outlets and a mall. Take your pick for an afternoon of St. George shopping. Click here for a list of shopping options.
- Golf: This is no secret in St. George. Choose from 12 different courses all within a short drive of the place you live or are staying. Rates and degrees of difficulty are very diverse and should satisfy any level of golf play.
- Lakes / Reservoirs: There are three lakes/reservoirs in the St. George area and each is well suited for water-sports of all types. Water temperatures are warmer, for longer periods of time, in the St. George area because of the clear skies and lower elevations. These reservoirs are great places to swim, boat, jet-ski or fish.
- Skim Boarding: Grab a skim-board and head on down to the Virgin River for some great skim boarding. This activity, usually done at a beach, is especially good here because of the sandy river bottoms. The Virgin and Santa Clara rivers have locations where this activity is well suited.
- Swimming / Hydro-tubes: There are three locations in St. George with a swimming pool and hydro-tube; the Washington City Recreation Center, Sand Hollow Aquatic Center and St. George City Pool. (Click here)
- Guided Tours: You may just be a hero to your older children by taking them on a guided adventure. See the list below for ideas.
A. ATV - Take a tour on the nearby Hurricane Sand Dunes or numerous other locations in this region of outdoor adventure (click here)
B. Horseback - Outfitters in Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park offer horseback riding opportunities on a daily basis. (click here)
C. Rock Climbing / Canyoneering / Rappelling / Zip Line - Outfitters in the St. George and Zion National Park area offer opportunities to combine these activities in one experience or to do one or the other. Canyoneering adventures can be handled by people of most any age. (click here)
D. Aerial Tours - Jump into a helicopter and soar above the massive scenic formations that make this region famous. After one of these experiences, anyone will walk away with a greater appreciation of the grandeur of this region. (click here)
Mountain Biking - St. George Utah
E. Mountain Biking - St. George is fast becoming one of the more popular mountain biking destinations in the west. There are 40+ different trails in this area to choose from. You can rent mountain bikes or even hire a guide to take you out for a mountain bike adventure. (click here)
