Mirror Lake to Pond Loop

Hiked the cascades trail from the parking lot through a forest of spruce trees and many interesting wildflowers.  The trail has good views of the National Forest and Zion National Park in the distance. The trail has some elevation gain but not too bad. The waterfall is rather small but a refreshing sight in the desert. 

From the USFS website:  "Mammoth Cave, at 8050 feet in elevation opens to one of the largest lava tubes in Utah with over 2200 feet of passages. Formed by cooling lava and flowing water, Mammoth Cave is part of the Markagunt Plateau. Geologists believe that some of this lava is only several thousand years old – relatively young in geologic terms! During summer months, the cave is a popular nigh...

Hoodoo's are unique rock formations formed over many years by erosion.  In this region, the hoodoos are formed through a process called frost wedging.  This is the process of repeated freeze thaw cycles.  As snow melts the water seeps between the cracks in the rocks then freezes at night when the temperatures drop.  The water expands as it freezes slowly widening the cracks.  This region can ha...

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a gorgeous multi-colored limestone amphitheater that many consider to be more beautiful than Bryce Canyon National Park given its greater depth over a shorter distance and higher elevation. It is far less traveled than its neighbors of Zion and Bryce. The Sunset Trail is a recently-built, 1-mile (2-mile out-and-back) trail that runs along the eastern rim of the...

To call this place "breathtaking" would not do it justice. The rusty red, orange, purple colors of million-year-old rock erosion are otherworldly, something you'd imagine on Mars. The Indians named Cedar Breaks the "Circle of Painted Cliffs," and when you see this brilliantly colored coliseum you will understand why. For photographers and nature-lovers alike, this is your spot.THE TRAIL:Rampart...

Park at the visitor center parking lot and start hiking the trail. You'll admire the great views of the breaks and canyons below. If you hike in the summer, be sure to take the time to photograph the many beautiful wildflowers, old cedars, and marmots.