by KBS » Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:25 pm
I used to live in St. George, my wife is from there. We made regular trips to Snow Canyon. The sand dunes on the south end are fun. There are also a couple of really cool lava caves that are completely accessible to the public. For the one I'm familiar with, you would need to hike about a half mile, be able to climb down a small cliff (10 feet), jump maybe 4-5 feet down (or stretch far enough to spiker crawl down), and crawl or squat/duck walk for maybe 15 feet through the cave entrance. A good light is imperative, and going in a group is recommended. I'd be glad to answer more questions if anyone has them.
Summer is oppressively hot (100-115 degrees F is common), but fall through spring is nice. The park rangers are extremely happy to enforce every imaginable rule, so make sure you know what's not permitted.
There is also an impressive arch at the mouth of the canyon called Johnson Arch. It's maybe a 2 mile round trip hike on level ground. It was closed to the public in years past, but I recently read that it's open. Checking with the rangers would be wise.
I can give a virtual tour of just about all of southern Utah, so if anyone has any questions, just ask.
Karl Stevens