Photos Courtesy of Cedar Breaks Lodge and Spa
Cedar Breaks National Monument, UTJust three hours from the stark man-made artificiality of Las Vegas you’ll find one of Nature’s most beautiful hidden treasures in the United States: Cedar Breaks National Monument in Dixie National Forest. From Interstate 15, Exit # 75 takes you to Parowan, and on Hwy 143 you ascend to 10,400 feet to the lookout over the amazing canyon. This is an excellent two-lane highway, well maintained in all types of weather extremes. In winter snow plows run all the time to keep the roads clear, and chains or four wheel drive are required on vehicles at times during the snow season when heavy snow falls.
Cedar Breaks National Monument has been carved by rain, snow, and wind through eons to render a vast prepondrence of weird spires and towers of limestone rocks. Collectively called Hoodoos by early Native Americans, these sculptures of Nature offer a spectacular site and photo opportunity. Colors vary from white to many shades of yellow and to deep rust red, and change with the daily slants of the sun. On the rim of the monument you’ll find gnarled bristlecone pines that are over 1,600 years old…some of the oldest trees on earth.
Although the road is excellent and is cleared in winter by snow-ploughs, be aware that at this altitude it is always cool and windy and has extreme weather changes within a few minutes. We once ascended from 100 degree weather in August to find a sudden snow storm at this peak…so be prepared. Open from May to October for fair weather sports, Brian Head has cool days and chilly nights, with no mosquitoes or pesky biting insects. The dry climate has beautiful wooded forests for great hiking and long sunny days to enjoy nearby fishing for bass and trout in Panguitch Lake. Cedar Breaks National Monument is beautiful any time of year. At Brian Head you can ride the ski lift to the mountain peak for wonderful views and lovely photos, and ride or hike back down the mountain. Shuttles are offered by request.
Brian Head is rated among the top ten best mountain bike areas in the United States. It was also voted in “the top 50 best trips on our planet!” (Bicycling Magazine) . You’ll find ski trails and logging roads for biking’s best. Shuttles will take you to the 11,000 foot peak of Brian Head, which offers a exciting ride down for skilled and intermediate mountain bikers. They even offer Diggler Mountain Scooters for ehthusiasts of any skill level. Bring your own bicycle, or rent whatever you need from Mountain Bike Park (435-677-3101) which carries Cannondale, Gary Fischer, and Diggler and all accessories at Brian Head Resort. You can also find mountain bike rentals at Brianhead Sports (435-677-2014).
In mid-July Brian Head is the site of one of the best Harley Davidson rallies anywhere: S& L Western Productions Inc. 420 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas NV 89107 or call 888-282-3327 or 435-677-2810 for reservations.
Cedar Breaks Lodge and Spa and the surrounding condos fill to capacity for the event. Food hosts are Steve and Barb Ladd who own Mountain View Bakery, Deli & Market. Barb prepares some of the best homecooked meals you ever tasted. She is a graduate of the Culinary Arts School of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Community College, and her food really attests to her fabulous skills.
Cedar Breaks, UTBarb is renowned for her incredible baked goods and pastries, which are a real fete in the high altitude, where recipes must be altered for bread to rise properly. Be sure to have some of her signature Brian Berry Pie! Steve and Barb offer a real service for the mountain community of 120 permanent residents, and their Deli has most anything you forgot to bring and lots of snacks for picnics or hikes. Their business is open 8 – 8 most days and is located across the street from Cedar Breaks Lodge and Spa. Call 435-677-2411.
If bikes are not your thing, you’ll find lots more to do in this cool mountain resort and wish you never had to leave for the heat of lower climes. At nearby Panguich Lake you’ll find brown trout and rainbow trout for great summer fishing. Horseback riding is available. And theater goers will enjoy the nearby Southern Utah University’s outdoor replica of the Globe Theater at Cedar CIty. The Utah Shakespearean Festival, which won the 2000 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, offers a different each night during the week from June 19 – October 18,
Cedar Breaks Lodge and Spa is a great place to stay, summer or winter. They are open year round except April 20 – May 20 and the month of October. With spacious, comfortably appointed rooms, you’ll find everything you could want for a wonderful, restful holiday. Each room has a fireplace, refrigerator, and microwave. The large indoor pool and two fireside spas, a sauna and steam room will ease sore muscles, whether you just worked out in their state-of-the-art exercize room, or enjoyed hiking, skiing, or biking.
And be sure to reserve treatments in the wonderful Spa at Cedar Breaks when you make your room reservations. A beautiful, full-service spa, the three therapists offer many different treatments and experiences from aromatherapy, massages of all types, herbal wraps, skin treatments, steaming stones, and relaxation and pampering beyond description! But they stay booked, so make your reservations early. The Lodge also has a fun game room, where teens, or any age guest, can enjoythe pool table and video games. You’ll enjoy dining daily at Columbine Cafe, or Double Black Diamond Steakhouse on week-end evenings. The bar and gift shop/espresso bar are convenient in the lodge, as well.
Owned by Pacific Monarch Resorts and impeccably managed by Troy Katwyck , Cedar Breaks Lodge and Spa has a friendly, well-trained staff who work hard to supply your every need, which is sometimes a challenge on top of a high mountain with weather extremes. We were there mid-winter when two feet of snow fell in two days. A brief power outage for the whole mountain was a challenge to test any hotel for a couple of hours, and this lodge came through with flying colors!
You’ll also find several good places to eat in this small community, ready to make tourists feel as welcome as the friendly locals. At the bottom of ChairLift #3, in the little town mall, eat at Bump and Grind for burgers, sandwiches, drinks, salads, all delicious and freshly homemade by owner and chief cook David Sky. Navajo Ski Lodge has an excellent continental cuisine restaurant, so for scrumptious evening meals go to the Lift House.
The cool mountain beauty of nature, crisp cedar smells, and beautiful clear and chilly, starry nights, loads of fun things to do, perfect surroundings to rest and be pampered…they’re all here at Brian Head, Utah, and you’ll never want to leave.
If you wish to fly, check Southwest’s excellent schedules ( 800-435-9792) into Las Vegas, NV, just three hours away. You can get great combination packages to enjoy shows in Las Vegas and then travel to Brian Head. For the packages call Reservations Plus (800-805-9528).
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