Cool off on trail along Coal Creek

The Cedar Canyon Trail in Cedar City, Utah, takes hikers along the banks of Coal Creek within a colorful landscape.Deborah wall/Special to View Advertisement

The Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway in Utah winds its way 40 miles from Cedar City east to Long Valley Junction. Although the entire drive ranks as one of the top scenic routes in the state, one of the most stunning stretches lies just east of Cedar City along Coal Creek.

Although just driving through this area has its own rewards, experiencing it on your own two feet is far better. One of the easiest ways to do this is hiking the Cedar Canyon Trail. The trail parallels the perennial flowing creek for about two miles, bringing you within the best scenery the area has to offer. It also is an easy hike with little elevation gain, so it's suitable for the entire family. You also will find some creature comforts along the way, such as benches to rest on and drinking fountains.

The best way to access the trail is from Cedar Canyon Park, where you will just head upstream on the obvious paved trail. This is a multi-use trail, so feel free to bring your in-line skates, baby strollers or bicycles. The trail is wide and roomy, but if you have small children along, be aware there are some drop-offs in the upper reaches. These easily can be avoided by always staying on the paved areas.

For the first quarter mile, you will be traveling through the outskirts of Cedar City, passing two city parks, a school and a senior center. Then, the tree-lined trail heads into the canyon within the Hurricane Cliffs.

This is an ideal time to come. During August, while Las Vegas still is sweltering in the heat, Cedar City, with an elevation of around 5,800 feet, is enjoying daytime temperatures in the 80s.

After about one-half mile from the trailhead, look across the creek in the area below the towering cottonwood trees. This area was once the site of the Cedar Co-op Mill, a three-story wooden building constructed in 1876. Powered by water from Coal Creek, two sets of 4-foot grinding stones ground flour, cereal and livestock feed for most of Iron County. The mill was turned into a plaster mill in 1934 and operated until 1945, when it was sold to the town and torn down.

The farther you travel upstream, the prettier the landscape becomes. The canyon is made up of cliffs of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone in colorful hues of reds, yellows and tan. Alongside the creek, you will find a lush riparian habitat consisting mainly of cottonwood trees, Fremont poplar and narrowleaf willow. Next to the trail, you will find big sagebrush, wood's rose, Palmer's penstemon and curly leaf mountain mahogany. Along the way, keep an eye out for cottontail rabbits, rock squirrels, sagebrush lizards and toads.

There are a few areas along the trail that afford easy access to the creek. When the water is low, it is common to see people playing along the banks of the stream. As tempting as it may be, caution is advised. Coal Creek is the main drainage for thousands of acres upstream, including Cedar Breaks National Monument, which lies on the Markagunt Plateau, one of the largest and highest plateaus in southern Utah.

Although snow melt from the upper watershed causes many high water events, intense summer cloudbursts on the plateau are responsible for the heaviest flooding. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and in no time at all, the normally gentle creek can become a wild and raging river. If you just keep to the paved trail, there won't be a problem.

TO GET TO CEDAR CANYON TRAIL

From Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 north for about 162 miles to Exit 57 for Cedar City. Go north on Utah Route 14 for about two miles. Go right on Center Street to continue on Utah Route 14. Drive three blocks and go right into Canyon Park for parking and the Cedar Canyon trailhead.

Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.