Temple Trail North

Total Miles
22.3

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Trail Type

High-Clearance 4x4 Trail

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This trail is really three trails from a terrain perspective, so take a close look at the trail rating to understand the terrain you will encounter. The trail is a continuation of the Temple Trail which details the southern portion of the trail from the Sawmill monument to the intersection with Navajo Trail turning northbound. In this section, you complete the journey to Warner Valley outside of St. George. Included in the photos are both the north and south markers for this portion of the trail. This trail holds significance to much of the local population as it was used to haul up to 46-foot-long beams from Mount Trumbull to St. George for the building of the Temple as well as other larger buildings. This was both an engineering and logistical feat in the 1870s to accomplish this over the rugged and hostile desert terrain. Having water for the workers and oxen along the trail as well as a path in this mountainous area is amazing. All of this should be considered as you take in the surrounding beauty. Of note, the most southerly portion of the actual trail has been reclaimed by the desert, and following Tread Lightly principles, the marked trail does stay on the worn road in this area.

Photos of Temple Trail North

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Difficulty

This portion of the trail is given a 3 rating for the center section which has rock ledges, extremely rocky trail conditions, and a narrow trail with steep dropoffs as you traverse the Hurricane Wash/Black Rock Mountain area. The upper portion is sandy and has moguls while the southern portion is a deeply rutted two-track trail that has been worn down by the years of pickups and trucks driving across. This makes it somewhat challenging for narrower vehicles. This is not a trail to be taken after precipitation or threat of thunderstorms as flash flooding is possible in the wash.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Most of the trail was passable though a bit narrow. Felt like more suited for SxS. There were two things to call out. Several sections of very fine sand ranging from shallow, short runs to several that were deep lasting several hundred yards. The sand was deep enough to throw over the hood as we drove through. All manageable as it was dry. Wouldn’t want to go through any of them if it was wet. The main area of concern is the section of trail just south of Black Rock Canyon. It is an unmaintained part of the trail with lots of loose rock. Traction wasn’t an issue, even with street tires. Clearance is the problem. I was in a stock 4Runner and even after a good bit of rock stacking we still made contact a number of times. Took us about an hour to make that 1/2 mile section. I suspect a 3” lift would have presented a much better experience. There were also other sections of the trail, with ruts deep enough to bottom out. Mostly on the southern section of this trail. All in all it took us about 3 hours.