Barrel Roll Trail
Approved Trail Users: Mountain Bikers, Hikers
Length: 5.79 miles
Difficulty: IMBA mountain bike rating of More Difficult
Reserve: Santa Clara River Reserve
Area: South Hills
Property Ownership: BLM
Access Point: Cove Wash Trailhead – From St. George, travel north on Bluff Street. Turn left on Sunset Blvd. Continue on Sunset Blvd as it turns into Santa Clara Drive. Turn left on Gates Lane (just before reaching the Jacob Hamblin Home on the right). Cross the river and at 0.4 miles turn left. At 0.7 miles turn right (at sign for Reserve). Pass the water tank, and at 1.3 miles turn right (at sign for reserve). Follow the road around to the left and park in the trailhead at 1.5 miles.
Description: Barrel Roll is a loop ride that can be ridden in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction (although it is easier to tackle the obstacles riding in a clockwise direction). What makes this trail special is its close proximity to the communities of Santa Clara and Ivins, yet when on the trail suburban life does not intrude. Views along the trail vary from the spectacular Red and Pine Valley Mountains, to the Santa Clara River corridor, and the desert mesas of the Santa Clara River Reserve. Keep an eye out for the trail’s namesake the Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus acanthodes) that litters the rocky slopes.
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