Hell Hole Canyon Beauty
Purple Blossoms of Spring as seen on the Hellhole (or Hell Hole) Trail in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a vast area north of St. George. The reserve was initially formed, in part, because of the desert tortoise. These seldom-seen residents are a threatened local species. The reserve status protects this land for recreational use and I’ve enjoyed several jaunts into various parts of the reserve. Some have famous names like Yant Flat or the Vortex. Others are unknown. On this day I hiked into an unknown area named “Hell hole” because of the miserable heart in the summer. My visit had clouds and rain and I felt it more like a desert garden than a pit of despair. I know that a waterfall can appear from the high cliffs if it rains enough. I hoped for a waterfall appearance . . . but got something different. The trail heads up a wash on the west side of Red Mountain. The san...