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ST. GEORGE — St. George’s Pioneer Park has become the iconic way to see great views of the city with a family-friendly hike; however, the Temple Quarry Trail along West Black Ridge also presents sweeping views and a peek at the first residents’ crowning achievement: the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Temple Quarry trail follows the dugway where pioneer workmen quarried the lava-formed sandstone rocks for the temple foundation and basement walls. The drill holes are still visible along the trail, and the actual quarry site is about a mile in, marked by a chiseled boulder.
The dirt trail is about 2 miles each way, starting at the north end of Tech Ridge and ending at the Shadow Mountain subdivision. The quarry site is an excellent place to take a break or turn around.
Though there is a steep dropoff along one side of the trail, it’s relatively flat, sometimes rocky, and easy for kids to navigate. Benches along the way provide rest spots, (and keep an eye out for photo-ops with lizards.)
Due to the heavy rainfall this spring, the hillsides are greener than normal, making now a beautiful time to go.
The views along the way also include Tech Ridge, currently undergoing development; the old airport site; the Pine Valley Mountains to the north side; and the Southgate golf course, Thunder Junction Park, and the Green Valley area to the south.
Directions: From the Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard intersection, turn west on Tech Ridge Drive (old Airport Road). Turn right on 265 South, and make an immediate left on Donlee Drive. The trailhead is on the right next to a small parking lot, which leads to the arch entrance.
Difficulty: Easy
