Brianhead Loop and Cedar Breaks Views

Rating: 4.5 miles and around 800ft total climbing. Some rocky/broken terrain, but mostly on old roads and trails. Nothing too steep and scary! The altitude is around 11,000 feet.

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This hike is Dog Friendly, and is in conjunction with Mindful Scramblers.

About the altitude. Ibuprofen taken a couple hours before the hike sometimes helps ward off altitude sickness.

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The heat is getting bad, but there is an escape! Right up above Cedar City is a tall and expansive mountain rising to 11,000 cool and breezy feet, and we're gonna walk around it!

As a bonus, we get to visit Cedar Breaks near sunset on the return road trip, stopping at some terrific viewpoints.

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This nice moderate hiking route travels around and below the highest point on the Markagunt Plateau, Brianhead Peak. Along the way, the air is crispy, the views are large, and the climate is alpine.

In its natural state this hiking route would be very difficult indeed, but nearly the entire distance can be performed along trails and old roads. Further, the brush is pretty sparse due to altitude, so that's not an issue.

The going is usually good, but there are areas of boulders, forest, and many fallen trees to hop over as well. For most of the hike the big mesa looms overhead, with a huge skirt of fallen boulders all around it.

The route skirts along the base of the boulders on bike/hiking trails for the most part. It's pretty neat. :)

This trip around Brianhead is ruff and tuff sometimes, but it has lots of woodsy scenery, being the highest peak for many many miles.

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The loop starts at a proper trailhead with a parking lot, and for the first mile it'll be a gentle downhill tramp. Then as we circle Brianhead itself and enter the woods along old roads and trails. Eventually, we reach a 300 foot road climb, which takes us up to the Marathon Trail for a highline return to the start.

The route is sometimes up and down, usually on old abandoned road tracks and bike trails, but not always.

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Drive: From Cedar City, we drive north to Parowan and up the good paved road there to Brianhead Peak, arriving at the trailhead around 3pm. Following the hike, we'll drive back down Route 14, passing very scenic Cedar Breaks (with all of its terrific viewpoints!), and blossoming flowers, returning to Cedar City around 9 PM.

Prep: A sun hat and light colored clothing is a real good idea, along with stout boots and leather gloves for the rough bits. 2 big bottles of water should be sufficient. Also a warm removable layer for the possibly cool finish.

Meet: We meet at Cedar City at the prominent Maverick gas station right next to the southernmost town exit (South Main Street), then go north on I-15 to Parowan and on up the fast road to Brianhead. There's an easy two mile dirt road to the trailhead. It's just a little rocky, and most any car can make it easily.

See you there! :)

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Please Note The Following:
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.

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