Jarvis Peak

We always enjoy going to the St. George Art Show that takes place on Easter weekend.  So, today we thought, "Let's combine the Art Show, with a short hike, as we'll be on 'that' side of town."  While at the show we were surprised to be greeted, near one of the booths, by Carolyn who we met last week on our hike to Amphitheater Lake . . . it certainly is a small world!  After spending some time visiting and discussing ideas for future hikes, we strolled around the Art Show and then headed for Jarvis Peak.

Jarvis Peak is one of the "pointy" little peaks on the western skyline of St. George.  There is a lightly used social trail (it disappears and then reappears) that follows a spiny ridge to some really impressive views of St. George and the surrounding areas.  It is a relatively short trail (2 miles r/t), but fairly steep (1,100 ft elevation gain).  It provided us with a nice half day hike to some country that we haven't explored much.

The trail isn't maintained . . . but if you "hug" the spiny ridge, you'll figure it out 

Blooming Mountain Phlox were scattered everywhere 

Jarvis Peak is now visible . . . just keep heading up this ridge

Looking back towards West Mountain and Zion View Peak . . . we did both last November  

Jarvis Peak with its' sandstone cliffs and pinnacles

Pink Buttercup were in bloom

The trail climbs 1,100 ft in one mile . . . it gets the heart pumping

This rugged spine continued down the east side of Jarvis Peak

Looking north toward Red Mountain and the Pine Valley Mountains

To our south we could see the winding road that leads up to the Apex Mine

Wire left by the surveyors when they mapped this area 

Working our way back down . . .
That middle ridge is the spiny one you will work your way up . . .
If you drive as far as we did (see caution below), you'll park near it's base

It turned out to be a nice day to hike up Jarvis Peak . . .  not too hot, cold or windy . . . just right!
(We parked at the corner of the road that is visible . . . the trail cairn is just a few feet away)

One word of caution, should you decide to do this hike, is the road condition.  We certainly would suggest using the instructions that Alicia Baker provides in her blog "Girl on a Hike" as a starting point for this adventure.  We went 1/2 mile further in our Tacoma, but it was a very, very rough 4WD road that needs lots of clearance.

For a topo map and GPS tracks for this hike, you can click here and get Tom's Peakbagger post for Jarvis Peak.  We drove and started from where Tom did, but are not sure we would go that far if we were to do it again!