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Sand Caves - 4 members in 8 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
8 triplogs
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Oct 21 2024
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT 
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT
 
Hiking avatar Oct 21 2024
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking5.48 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking5.48 Miles   2 Hrs   2 Mns   2.70 mph
450 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sand Caves
Belly of the Dragon to Elkhart Cliffs Slot Cyn
Partners partners
johnlp
trekkin_gecko
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Day 5 of 5 in Utah

It’s a long drive back, so we decided to break it up with a couple of short hikes off SR89.

The Belly of the Dragon

I had no idea what to expect with this one, but I liked the name. You reach the "Belly" right off the bat by crossing under SR89. It’s a natural tunnel formed by flowing water. We hiked in 2 miles before turning around. Most people turn around at either 0.3 or 1.3 miles, where there are easy bypasses past dryfalls.

I later read that 4 miles in, the trail reaches Elkhart Cliffs Slot Canyon, which might be a worthy destination.

Sand Caves

This is another touristy destination, best avoided on weekends. It’s a neat area to explore, but unfortunately, modern carvings in the sandstone outnumber the ancient etchings.

[ youtube video ]


All-in-all a great first trip to hike in Utah for me. anxious to go back.

Thanks to Kelly for arranging for our accommodations and to John for all his driving.
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  2 archives
Oct 21 2024
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT 
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT
 
Hiking avatar Oct 21 2024
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660
Hiking5.48 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking5.48 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sand Caves
Belly of the Dragon to Elkhart Cliffs Slot Cyn
Partners partners
johnlp
The_Eagle
bruce picked out a couple of hikes to break up the drive back to phoenix
first was belly of the dragon
we went through a long tunnel, then walked along a creek bed for a couple miles
picked an arbitrary point to turn around
next we went up to the sand caves
cool feature
fun to check out the caves and the views from them
the sandstone getting up there was covered in sand, which made for less than secure footing
i used the rope going back down
safety first
lunch at jacob lake and a smooth ride home
had a great time with john and bruce
enjoyed hiking a few new things and revisiting some i've done
thanks, guys :)
_____________________
hazhole
 
Oct 21 2024
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT 
Dragon Belly and Sand Caves, UT
 
Hiking avatar Oct 21 2024
johnlp • Triplogs 5,208
Hiking5.48 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking5.48 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sand Caves
Belly of the Dragon to Elkhart Cliffs Slot Cyn
Partners partners
The_Eagle
trekkin_gecko
Day 5, last day of our Utah hiking trip. A couple short hikes on the drive home.
Awesome trip. Thanks Bruce and Kelly! :)
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Sep 21 2021
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Sand CavesSouthwest, UT
Sand Caves
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2021
John10s • Triplogs 346
Hiking0.72 Miles 78 AEG
Hiking0.72 Miles      33 Mns   3.09 mph
78 ft AEG      19 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
TboneKathy
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
On our last morning in Kanab before driving back to Phoenix, we made a quick stop at Sand Caves at sunrise to avoid the inevitable crowds that would show up later. The early start paid off, and we had the caves to ourselves...I first visited the caves two years ago, and it's incredible how much busier these spots have become in such a short time.

We headed south along the base of the cliff and made the short scramble up to the ledge and followed that across to the entrance. It's disappointing to see all the graffiti carved in the rocks, but not surprising given the traffic and easy accessibility from the highway. Still, it's a nice spot, with multiple windows looking out from the caves and the sandy floor inside. When I was here last time, there was a tent set up in the back of the cave, but that was gone, so we went all the way to the end...not much back there, just less light and less graffiti. The caves are worth a visit it you're in the area and driving by...especially if it's early and there aren't crowds :)
 
May 13 2021
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 632
 Photos 8,235
 Triplogs 604

54 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Sand CavesSouthwest, UT
Sand Caves
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar May 13 2021
ddgrunning • Triplogs 604
Hiking0.44 Miles 91 AEG
Hiking0.44 Miles      21 Mns   2.20 mph
91 ft AEG      9 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Took a quick side trip to visit the sand caves on our way to the Ragnar Zion Trail race. A Handful of people there. A fun little place for a quick visit for anyone who’s passing through.
_____________________
 
Apr 03 2021
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 Routes 175
 Photos 2,335
 Triplogs 191

44 female
 Joined Jan 21 2019
 Pine, AZ
Sand CavesSouthwest, UT
Sand Caves
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 03 2021
jillyonanadventure • Triplogs 191
Hiking0.59 Miles 115 AEG
Hiking0.59 Miles      28 Mns   2.08 mph
115 ft AEG      11 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jharvey33
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We knew the sand caves were touristy, so decided to quickly hit them up first thing in the morning! Very smart decision given the amount of vehicles we saw at the TH on various occasions throughout our visit. We had the caves to ourselves for a while and that was awesome! The caves are super unique and interesting, but there was graffiti all over the walls which really takes away from the experience. Still enjoyed the visit though, and would recommend at least seeing it once (early morning!)

On our exit, several families were having difficulty with the scramble and we assisted them! (Early morning the rock is still cool enough to go straight up to the caves, but if you go any later, you’ll need to make your way up the left side and then walk on the ledge over to the sand caves).

We stopped at belly of the dragon quickly right after this stop, but that one isn’t on my recording (only 1/2 mile total round trip).
_____________________
Restless between adventures...
  1 archive
Jul 28 2020
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Sand CavesSouthwest, UT
Sand Caves
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Jul 28 2020
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking0.21 Miles 66 AEG
Hiking0.21 Miles
66 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Jul 13 2020
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 632
 Photos 8,235
 Triplogs 604

54 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Sand CavesSouthwest, UT
Sand Caves
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Jul 13 2020
ddgrunning • Triplogs 604
Hiking0.89 Miles 165 AEG
Hiking0.89 Miles      53 Mns   1.30 mph
165 ft AEG      12 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Visible from Highway 89, the short climb up to these caves is well worth a pit stop on your drive. According to my father in law (who grew up in Kanab), the caves were dug out during WWII to collect the sand for making glass.

We loved the hike so much that we came back the next day and dropped a 130 ft rappel line from above the cliff face. Cool spot.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.07 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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