USA Lee Valley

My unofficial name for this spot is “Lost Keys” due to an unfortunate incident leading to a long walk in the dark in freezing temperatures in mountain lion country resulting in establishment of new rules in our household regarding my photo excursions. For the rest of you, it’s a relatively easy 20 minute stroll to get to a large area of sandstone and a great view overlooking Lee Valley. One could spend a couple of hours wandering among the hoodoos with Pine Valley Peak looming right in front of you and the mountains of Zion National Park in the far distance.

I like to arrive there in late afternoon for golden hour light over the valley. If there’s even a remote chance that you might fail to properly secure your car keys, get there earlier.

From SR9 in Virgin, Utah drive 15 miles (24 km) to a pullout on the the left side of the road. There’s room for four or five vehicles to park there. Cross the road and follow a narrow path across a pine forest field for approximately 150 yards/meters. This will lead to a large dead tree (still standing) and intersect another path where you’ll turn left. On Google Maps, this path is labeled “Connector Trail”. Walk another 100 yards/meters or so until the path turns sharply to the right. Follow the rocky wash uphill keeping an eye out for the occasional rock cairns. After approximately 150 yards/meters, bear sharply to the right and continue uphill until you reach a relatively open field of slickrock, hoodoos, and scattered trees. Then a short stroll west of less than 100 yards/meters will place you at the edge of an escarpment and a great view of the valley below.