Brian Head Resort

* Due to damage from flooding the trail may be impassable, please use caution on the trail. A moderate trail winds through a wildlife study area then traverses a granite rock fall to a 20-foot waterfall. Use care the last 100 feet due to the uneven surface where the trail is not established. Distance is one mile round trip, is considered moderate and takes approximately ½ hour to an hour.

Trailhead is located between mile markers 8 & 9 on National Scenic Byway Hwy U-143.

This moderate hike is a high elevation hike with a sheer drop-off at the end of the trail, so use caution. Unique features of this hike are the bristlecone pine trees and the view into Cedar Breaks National Monument. Distance is one mile round trip and takes approximately one hour.

Trailhead is located on Summit Canyon Rd.; keep to the High Mountain Road side.

The trail follows Cedar Breaks National Monument’s boundary fence west across a large alpine meadow and stands of spruce and fir. It continues along a fence, opening into a small meadow and to the edge of the rim, looking onto a beautiful view of Cedar Breaks and Ashdown Gorge. It descends into a side hill of mixed conifers and into a grass and aspen drainage, crossing Stud Flat, a large west-facing bare slope. Then it enters a thick stand of mature spruce and fir, switchbacking to Rattlesnake creek below. The trail parallels the creek for about 1.5 miles until reaching the intersection with High Mountain trail. At this point you can hike back up to your car on the Rattlesnake trail, or continue on up the High Mountain trail. Distance is 5 miles and takes approximately 6 hours.

Trailhead is located just outside Cedar Breaks National Monument’s north entrance and is part of the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Family Adventure Trail is a series of activities on the Vista hiking trail. The hiking trail starts at the top of the Giant Steps Express chairlift. From the top, hikers will wrap around the backside of the Brian Head Peak, and enjoy views of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The trail then skirts the edge of our snowmaking pond, crosses the slopes of Giant Steps second step, and ends up at the base of Giant Steps Lodge. The Family Adventure Trail activities include: a gemstone sluice; gold panning; agate mining; fossil digging; and a clue-to-clue treasure hunt. Each child is given a map, a treasure bag, and is allowed to keep one item from each station. The Family Adventure Trail takes about 3 hours. There are several rest areas on the way down as well.

There is a fee of $12 for adults and $8 for children or seniors for the chairlift.

Distance: 11 mile loop.
Considered intermediate, it has two short strenuous climbs and generally rolling terrain. This mostly challenging dirt single-track trail navigates through forests of mixed spruce and aspen, intertwined with small meadows of native flowers.

Trail Type: Point-to-Point. Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced trail (mostly downhill, but some rocky descents and loose gravel). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 12 mile point-to-point, shuttle is recommended. Time: 2 – 3 hours depending on skill level.

Picture-perfect single-track mountain bike trail through spruce and aspen forests along Bunker Creek. There are two forks to this trail: the Right Fork (which is actually on your left coming from the top) is less technically challenging. When the forks come back together, head downhill on the double-track jeep road for a fast, smooth, roller-coaster ride.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Cedar Breaks National Monument and Panguitch Lake, head north on Sidney Valley Road and proceed until the road dead-ends into the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is recommended for trailhead access. Most riders leave a vehicle where the trail meets Hwy U-143 just west of Panguitch Lake or use shuttle services provided by one of the Brian Head outfitters. Another option is to access this trail from the Sidney Peaks Trail, beginning at the Brain Head Peak Road trailhead area, riding the Sidney Peaks Trail, and continuing on Bunker Creek.

Trail Type: Point-to-Point. Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced (mostly downhill, but some rocky descents and loose gravel). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 14.5 miles. Time: Varies depending on skill level.

From Southern Utah’s highest point, this trail is one of contrasting surrounds. From the alpine tundra, the trail drops 5,000 feet through lush forests to the red rock desert surrounding Parowan.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument, head east on Brian Head Peak Road for about a mile to the trailhead. Most riders leave a vehicle at Second Left Hand in Parowan Canyon or use shuttle services provided by one of the Brian Head outfitters.

Trail Type: Loop. Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (some loose rocky terrain, a few short climbs and one 2.5 mile climb). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 11.5 miles round-trip. Time: Varies depending on skill level.

Trail combines ridgeline single track with a downhill ride through changing forest clusters amongst wild flower meadows and ponds. Follow the Sidney Peaks trail to the intersection with Dark Hollow and turn right on the Lowder Ponds trail (also the Marathon Trail). Continue on the Marathon trail (there’s a sharp left about 1.5 miles down) all the way to Sidney Valley Road. Then climb Sidney Valley Road back to the Sidney Peaks trail to loop back to the trailhead.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument, head east on Brian Head Peak Road for about a mile to the trailhead.

In the summer, the resort’s chair #2 is available to hikers, bikers and sightseers in search of Utah’s famous red rock vistas. The Vista hiking trail starts at the top as well as many of the mountain bike trails. Bring a jacket because it gets cool at 11,000 feet. (cut extra space)Open on weekends, generally early July through mid-September. Go to www.brianhead.com for schedule and rates.