Ashdown Gorge, Cedar City, Utah

Ashdown Gorge is a beautiful one or two-day hike located just east of Cedar City in the Cedar Breaks region. There are two options: hike from the bottom up as a long day trip or set up a car shuttle, start from the top, and head down at a casual pace — allowing you to camp at designated areas and enjoy the canyon more fully.

Ashdown Gorge reminded me of the upper section of the Zion Narrows without all the people. The sandstone layers made for beautiful scenery and the river flowing snowmelt out of the canyon was impressive. There were narrow sections with cavernous-like scenery that added great character. I recommend wearing sturdy boots and trekking poles — it can get quite slippery. A great canyon and I'm looking forward to checking out other canyons in the area.