Trail Tuesday took me up on the red cliffs above St. George, Utah, to the Temple Quarry Trail. The views were wonderful! I went early in the morning because the sun hits this trail directly, but I also read that you should hike this trail right before sunset because the views are even more beautiful. Whichever you choose, it was a great hike!
According to the sign on the Temple Quarry Trailhead, “Pioneer workmen transported basalt stone blocks for construction of the Saint George LDS Temple foundation by wagon over the trail.” The trail is flat except for a few steps at the beginning of the hike. There are three or four benches along the trail for those who want to sit and enjoy the view. Further along the trail, that has beautiful views in every direction, another sign tells that the trail was used from 1871-1874. It was built to “access the Quarry on the south west side of the Black Hill. The large lava rock was needed for the foundation and basement walls of the St. George Temple.” This kind of rock was needed because the stone was “impervious to the alkali soil.”
TRAIL DETAILS
Difficulty Level: Easy
Round Trip Length: 2.2 miles round trip
Area: Up on the bluff near the old airport
Directions:
From I-15 take exit 8 onto St., George Boulevard. Head west toward the big white “D” on the mountain which is called Black Hill. Continue up the hill when St. George Boulevard meets with Bluff Street. As you approach the top take a right on to 265 South. Take a quick left onto Donlee Road. Drive a very short distance and the parking lot is on your right. Look for the sandstone arch that marks the trailhead.
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