Hiking Cedar Pocket Wash
Virgin River Gorge
Overview
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Sun 63 | 45 |
Mon 64 | 45 |
Tue 63 | 45 |
Wed 58 | 41 |
Thu 54 | 39 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Sun 63 | 45 |
Mon 64 | 45 |
Tue 63 | 45 |
Wed 58 | 41 |
Thu 54 | 39 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
The Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead
There are not a lot of trail hiking opportunities in the Virgin River Gorge. The Cedar Pocket Wash trail was added in 2019 or 2020 and is an excellent family friendly outing not too far from the highway. The hike has two destinations. The first, an overlook, has views of Cedar Pocket and south to the Virgin River and interstate. It is a good overlook, but the second destination, the Cedar Pocket Narrows, is by far my favorite. The steep hike visits a short section of narrows in Cedar Pocket Wash. The narrows, though not a slot canyon, are relatively deep and lovely. It was an adventure my wife and I enjoyed, as well as our preschooler.
The short distance and easy access make this an excellent family outing when visiting the Virgin River Gorge. The overlook is easy with not much elevation change. The narrows, in contrast, requires a steep descent and ascent on the return. It is suitable for most but recommended only in cooler times of the year. Both trails are well defined and marked, making navigation easy.
The overlook into the Virgin River Gorge.
Getting There
The trailhead is off the Cedar Pockets road in the Virgin River Gorge. This is exit 18 from I-15 about 17 miles west of St. George or 20 miles east of Mesquite NV. This is the same exit for the Virgin River Gorge Campground,
- Reset your odometer on the north side of the freeway and head north of the dirt Cedar Pocket Road. There are a few primitive campsites next to the road a short distance from the freeway. ( 12S 250884mE 4093502mN / N36° 57' 17" W113° 47' 52" )
- 1.6 miles - Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead on the right. ( 12S 250867mE 4095450mN / N36° 58' 20" W113° 47' 55" )
Joshua trees along the hike.
Route
From the trailhead, the trail follows an old road past a now closed camping area east for about 0.25 miles to a junction. Right goes to the overlook in about 0.2 miles. The overlook has good views east of the sandstone cliffs around Cedar Pocket and the Virgin River and easter edge of the Virgin River Gorge.
Left goes to the Cedar Pocket Wash Narrows. Follow the trail as it quickly and steeply descends to the bottom of Cedar Pocket Wash. Once at the wash, go right. The wash heads east for a few minutes, then turns south and enters the narrows. A couple of minor obstacles present themselves while heading down the narrows. None are particularly difficult, but a spot or helping hand can be helpful.
All too soon the narrows give way to open desert. Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 250882mE 4095451mN N36° 58' 20" W113° 47' 55" |
| Narrows-Overlook Jct |
12S 251174mE 4095489mN N36° 58' 22" W113° 47' 43" |
| Overlook |
12S 251264mE 4095280mN N36° 58' 15" W113° 47' 39" |
| Narrows |
12S 251481mE 4095600mN N36° 58' 25" W113° 47' 31" |
| Wash Bottom |
12S 251309mE 4095655mN N36° 58' 27" W113° 47' 38" |