| A Park in the Making |
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 Perhaps two years ago, I heard about a newly dedicated park in Hurricane, called Confluence Park, named after its location at the confluence of Ash and La Verkin creeks and the Virgin River, just west of the Hurricane-La Verkin bridge and downstream from Pah Tempe.
Perhaps two years ago,I heard about a newly dedicated park in Hurricane,called Confluence Park,named after its location at the confluence of Ash and La Verkin creeks and the Virgin River,just west of the Hurricane-La Verkin bridge and downstream from Pah Tempe.Since then,I have wanted to check out the park and hike along the Virgin where so many times,I had craned my neck to peer over the bridge railing to the river hundreds of feet below. I wanted to know what it was like way down there. So finally,I decided to use a Saturday afternoon to find out. It took me a couple hours to locate the park because there are no signs along SR-9 to direct people to the site. And nobody I asked knew where the park was. In fact,nobody I asked had even heard of Confluence Park. By trial and error –lots of them –while backtracking from Toquerville,I eventually got the idea where the confluence is and then skirted across the Virgin River canyon to the Hurricane side and set my wheels heading for a dirt road I had spotted from the La Verkin rim. My guess took me to the right place –a small sign confirming I had arrived at Confluence Park. The sign also confirmed my initial judgment: This is not a finished or even a developed park. It’s really still in rough shape,including an accumulation of tons of garbage and rusted appliances apparently dumped over the rim for many years. As the sign reads: “Property under long-term restoration. Please be patient –parking,trails and picnic facilities will improve with time!” Meanwhile,the dirt road –now-closed to motor vehicles but open to pedestrian,equestrian and bike use –leads down the lava cliff face to the canyon bottom. Unfortunately,the trail passes right through the garbage heap before reaching the riverbank. Hence the plea on the park sign at top: “If you would like to volunteer to help clean up this property . . . call 435-634-5759.” But ignore the garbage and a pleasant exploration awaits you. I also recommend waiting until the cottonwoods leaf out in spring before visiting Confluence Park. The shimmering green leaves and verdant grasses will add significantly more beauty to your riverside walk. Once down the cliff into the river canyon,trails spaghetti in all directions. A well-used wide trail across the Virgin heads north,following La Verkin Creek back upstream. At this confluence,a shallow cave in the lava on the south-facing bank once held Indian artifacts –all pilfered by now. A few difficult-to-find petroglyphs remain to fire the imagination of indigenous camps in the grassy meadow between the creeks,game and cool water in abundance,the hot sulfureous springs upstream. Across the river in the other,northeast direction,several dirt roads cross the bench,leading into the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. A wide,sandy beach marks a shallow area to cross the Virgin here and head into the Reserve. Or you can explore further downstream or upstream along the Virgin River and follow paths along either side of the river. A few miles downstream,these trails will intersect with others leading to the river from the Reserve on the north side of the Virgin. If you can get past your disgust at the garbage,the area of the Confluence offers access to much interesting territory to explore. But put this one on your calendar for April or May. Then,the sparkling river winding through the leafy shade of stately cottonwoods,the fresh grasses underfoot and bright marigolds along the trails will make this a pleasurable site for an expedition. When You Go Length: Streamside trails as far as one wishes to walk Elevation gain: Approximately 250 feet from cliff above Virgin River and uphill return Difficulty: Moderately strenuous .50 walk on dirt road to river canyon bottom Payoff: Exploring along the Virgin River;trails into the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Getting there: Confluence Park is in Hurricane,just before La Verkin. From SR-9 in Hurricane,turn left at the Maverik store (200 W.) and take it to its end,a couple blocks beyond the Little League baseball fields. Park in the dirt area at the rim. On foot,follow the dirt road to the Confluence Park sign. The road continues to the river bottom. Bookmark & Share              |