Little Purgatory, with Rock Art
Details
Rating: 5 miles and 1000 feet of climbing/descending. All cross-country and animal trails. Moderately steep and slippery slopes to negotiate.
Be aware that there will be a 25 minute car shuttle on pavement.
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This hike is in conjunction with Red Rock Hikers.
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This hike is somewhat close to Quail Lake, but it's far above the water along high ridges. The route also travels thru Little Purgatory proper, an enclosed basin 300 feet deep and over a mile wide, ringed with colorful banded cliffs and floored with numerous natural animal trails.
It starts with a stiff 500 foot climb up the side of the Virgin Anticline
near Harrisburg. It's pretty steep and rocky, but the rocks are large and well-set into the slope, so no problem for strong hikers.
At the top, we come into view of the Little Purgatory basin. After getting an eyefull, we descend steeply to the bottom and frolic along the numerous animal trails that lace the area, eventually reaching a steep valley leading up thru the cliffs and to a grand view of the lake.
We then tramp along the rocky edge of the lake basin until we reach the smallish earthen dam on the lake's eastern side.
Then we descend easily for 150 feet to the Virgin River below and a very large group of petroglyphs by the riverside. This could be the largest set of glyphs in Dixie.
Be aware that these glyphs are on rather slanted rock slabs, so ankles will be tested when exploring for glyphs.
After that, we just wade across the river and on into the public park at Grandpa's Pond, where our shuttle vehicles await.
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In short, it's a moderate, rough-and-ready hike where few people ever go, along with great views and enough Native American rock art to satisfy anyone.
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Meet: We will meet at Grandpa's Pond. After leaving some vehicles we'll drive about 7 miles on pavement to Harrisburg, where the hike starts. At the end of the hike we all drive to Harrisburg again and were done!
Prep: Leather gloves, really. Lots of rough rocks on this hike. 2-3 big bottles of water, and some food. Regular hiking shoes or boots, and water shoes for the 50 foot river crossing. Since we'll be at the vehicles right after that, you could just walk across in your hiking shoes and change to dry shoes at the vehicles. Wear light clothing for the warmth at the end of the hike and maybe a sweater for the early morning chill. Optional hiking pole.
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See you there! M+J :)
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Notice: Meetup organizers are not touring guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.