Sandstone Mountain
The Sandstone Mountain and associated trails can be accessed from the Sand Cove trailhead and Flicker trail or from the Sand Cove primitive recreation area (no camping or picnicking facilities available). It is commonly used in conjunction with the Sidewinder trail for a delightful but strenuous 3-mile loop and is one of the more scenic hikes in the RCDR (see the Sidewinder trail description for more details).
Starting at its junction with the Sand Cove Access road, the Sandstone Mountain trail follows a sandy 2-track over most of its 2-mile length and climbs about 550 feet as it winds clockwise around the mountain. Towards the top, a short portion of the trail becomes very rocky and can be challenging for some bikers and equestrians. Portions of the northern-middle of the Sandstone Mountain trail are open to 4WD travel. From its junction with the Sidewinder trail on the top, a short trail extension about 0.3 mile long may be taken south that offers some great views to the south-east. Well-developed horse trails exist on both the north and south sides of the mountain that provide alternate routes with better footing for horses and/or access to superior overlooks. The trail lies mostly on lands administered by BLM within the Red Cliffs NCA. A small portion of the northern loop runs through SITLA land.
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- The Babylon Area Map shows the relationship of the Virgin River trail with all other trails in the Babylon complex.
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- The Sandstone Area map shows the Sand Cove access trail and all linkages to adjoining trails in the Sandstone Mountain complex.
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- Access to the Sandstone Mountain complex is made through the Sand Cove trailhead as shown above.
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- Visitors may park in the Sand Cove trailhead parking area which is ideal for sedans and most other vehicles.
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- Visitors with high-clearance vehicles and/or 4-wheel drive vehicles may choose to take the Sand Cove access road to reach the Sand Cove primitive recreation area but face steep, rocky segments as shown on this photo.
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- Visitors may also hike the Flicker trail from the Sand Cove parking trailhead and view these southern formations to the south.
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- Direct access to the west end of the Sandstone Mountain trail is made through this stepover off the Sand Cove access road.
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- The Sandstone Mountain trail consists of an old jeep road that runs below these two sandstone peaks.
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- On the north part of the trail, visitors have the option of taking a horse trail starting at this stepover located on state land.
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- The horse trail follows sandy wash bottoms through most of its length until it climbs up through narrow canyons to reach the top of the mountain saddle.
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- The main trail continues on including a steeper section which consists of rocky segments that can be a challenge to bikers and equestrians.
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- Once on top of the saddle, visitors have the choice of breaking off to the Red Tail trail shown at this intersection or continuing on to the south for the remainder of the Sandstone Mountain trail.
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- Visitors may return to the Sand Cove area by taking this entry on to the Sidewinder trail near the southern end of the Sandstone Mountain trail.
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- From the top of the trail, visitors will have views of mountains scattered throughout the rocky complex.
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- On the very top of the mountain, visitors can observe portions of the Virgin River canyon located to the south.
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- Hikers who explore the mountain top may enjoy other vistas to the north and west and view the Pine Valley mountain complex in the distance.
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- Visitors who wish to explore the north mountains may follow the route indicated on this map and see a number of features including the spectacular Regal Arch.
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- The Regal Arch sits on the southwest slope of one of the highest peaks on the north side of the complex.
