Precipice Trail
Recommended Trail Users: Mountain Bikers, Hikers
Length: .8 miles
Difficulty: More Difficult (IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System)
Special Area: Santa Clara River Reserve
Sub-Area: South Hills
Property Management: BLM
Access: 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: ThePrecipice Trail starts about 50 feet from the trailhead walk-over off the Barrel Roll Trail. It connects to the Sidewinder Trail and can provide an alternative route for the lower section of Barrel Roll. Although it sits just below Barrel Roll, Precipice offers different terrain, plants, and views. Siting on a bench that receives a southern exposure, barrel cactus and hedge hogs are more prevalent here than on the lower section of Barrel Roll. Views of Cove Wash and the adjacent mesas are also more easily seen from the trail.
Precipice is so named because of the tight squeeze that occurs in the middle section of the trail. Hugh rocks slabs tumble down the slope from the upper rim and pinch the trail against a lower cliff edge. While trail construction has moderated the technical aspects of the trail, exposure is still a factor.
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