Turn left (West) on Snow Canyon Parkway. The trail runs along the north side of the road. This is a newer, upscale part of St. George. The walking/running/biking trail parallels the road all the way to Snow Canyon Drive. This is a beautiful part of town with undulating fences of either red sandstone or black lava rock separating each new development from the road. The homes are all earth colors which,in this part of the country, means varying shades of muted red and brown. The landscaping along both sides of the road and in the median consists of native plants, shrubs and cacti. In the spring there is an amazing array of delicate flowers on the dozens of varieties of cacti. If you simply drive by the area you miss most of the beauty that you can see up close when you run.

When you reach Snow Canyon Drive, turn right (North) to run through one of the most beautiful and serene locations in the St. George area. Snow Canyon State Park is only about 4 1/2 miles long and maybe 2 miles wide but is home to towering red cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, turning white as you approach the top, both white and red sand dunes, petrified dunes, petroglyphs, arches and lava caves. The 4 1/2 mile run up the canyon includes a gain of 1000 feet in elevation from about 3000 feet at the base to about 4000 feet at the top. As you approach the top the grade increases and conversation tends to slow down or stop as everyone focuses on breathing and just getting to the top.

When you reach Highway 18, turn right (South) on the trail that parallels the road and run back to the “true church” (point A). The run back down to the church reverses the elevation gain from going up Snow Canyon. Running on the road isn’t so bad because of the more or less gradual grade all the way down. The trail, on the other hand, has some punishingly steep ups and downs in the last couple of miles of the run when your legs are shot. We call it the roller coaster. In a way it’s more difficult than running up Snow Canyon. You don’t get winded but your legs take a beating.

435-628-7766 – St. George Running Center is Southern Utah’s only store specializing in footwear and apparel for runners, joggers and walkers. Locally owned and operated by runners, the people at the St. George Running Center will take time to understand your footwear and apparel needs. Every customer is encouraged to test the shoes by spending time running, jogging, or walking on the shoes before purchasing. The store also has a wide selection of accessories, including baby joggers, injury supplies, nutritional supplements, magazines and more. Also, if you are looking for people to run with, the St. George Running Center sponsors weekly group runs.