Sunset Views at the Vortex

Itinerary tips

• 1Plan for a 2.3-mile round-trip trek that typically takes about 90 minutes to complete including time for photography.
• 2Drive to the Lower Sand Cove Trailhead via Diamond Valley; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended but not always required depending on recent weather.
• 3Download an offline GPS map before leaving St. George as the trail over the slickrock is marked only by small stone cairns and can be easy to lose.
• 4Wear shoes with excellent rubber grip, such as approach shoes or hiking boots, to safely navigate the steep Navajo sandstone inclines.
• 5Pack a headlamp for the return hike, as the desert landscape becomes difficult to navigate once the sun drops behind the Pine Valley Mountains.
• 6Look for the smaller 'pots' and swirling rock patterns near the main bowl for the best abstract photography angles.