With the winter and spring months unusually free of moisture – either rain or snow – there have been plenty of opportunities for hikes on trails – where hiking is normally discouraged between December 1 and April 30 to prevent damage to wet trails. So Dave and Jan have taken advantage of dry trails in and around Cedar City. Along the East Bench paved trail which borders several miles of the eastern boundary of the city there are some interesting places to hike up into the eastern foothills. One of them is an unnamed fire road which Dave and Jan have hiked or (in Dave’s case) ridden several times. For bike riders it makes for a tough ride (mixed with walks) because it is very steep.

The trail leads to some nice views of the colorful terrain below – and some city views as well.

The dirt road continues along some colorful red rock scenery which is typical of “color country.”

After several miles the smoother dirt road terminates at a turn-around, though it continues under a much rougher form which only a rugged rock climbing vehicle would be able to traverse, but the scenery at the turn-around opens out to the east into an impressive canyon with steep multi-colored walls

A rocky outcropping just west of the turn-around provided some views of the canyon lands below.

Not surprisingly, Dave’s trip back down to the East Bench Trail was much quicker than the trip up!

“Praise the LORD from the earth . . . Mountains and all hills, Fruit trees and all cedars” – and junipers too! Psalm 148:7a,9