White Reef Trail

Difficulty: Moderate/More Difficult. White Reef Trail is an old two-track, possibly a remnant of early mining days used to access claims. It winds and climbs over small hills, though reddish purple clay soils. These clays soils are the preferred habitat for the endangered Shivwits milk-vetch (Astragalus ampullarioides). Known populations of the milk-vetch are fenced to prevent intrusions and can be seen at about the 1 mile point. Also along the way, a few closed mining adits can be seen in the geologic formation known as the White Reef on the left. Despite the trail’s proximity to the I-15 freeway, the sound of traffic dies down quickly after leaving the trailhead. Bring your lunch and stop at the small picnic shelter just over 0.1 miles from the trailhead. The trail offers outstanding views of colorful geologic features and long distance vistas of the landscape back toward St. George. Note: Because of the clay soils, the trail may be extremely soft and mucky during or after rain. Loop: For a 3.43 mile loop, follow White Reef Trail to its end at Adit Trail. Turn right on Adit Trail and continue until Adit intersects with Leeds Reef Trail in 0.12 miles. Turn right on Leeds Reef Trail and follow it for 1.44 miles until it intersects again with the White Reef Trail. Turn left on White Reef Trail and continue back to the trailhead in 0.17 miles.