Mineshaft
This short trail is accessed directly from the Mineshaft stepover gate on the south Babylon Road. Space is provided for parking two vehicles at that site. The trail winds through and around old mining digs from when silver was extracted from the East Reef sandstone formations. Primarily a two-track trail, it runs a distance of about 0.4 miles till its intersection with the Historic Babylon trail further down the canyon. The trail is easy for travel but slopes downward as it drops to the south to the intersection. Elevation change from one end to the other is about 130 feet. The trail crosses public lands through much of its length within the Red Cliffs NCA. The trail was formerly an extension of the East Reef trail, but was renamed by the Bureau of Land Management to reduce confusion over trail alignments.
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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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- This map shows how the Mineshaft trail starts and ends with the Babylon Road and the Historic Babylon trail.
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- The trail starts at its north end at this small trailhead which can accommodate about two vehicles.
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- The trail starts out as a sandy, two-track on level ground.
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- The trail wraps around some old mining ruins of interest from early silver mines shortly before the start of the 20th century.
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- The trail then turns to the south and drops down-slope over a gravely cinder base.
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- The trail ends at its southern terminus with this junction with the Historic Babylon trail.
