Whenever the craving for a little exploring and adventure hits us, we at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive head out to explore the surrounding area. Since we moved base to St. George Utah, we’ve found out that the area has more fascinating trails than Moab. These are ideal for scenic drives where you work on your off-roading skills away from huge and demanding obstacles. Overall, such trail rides make for a fantastic afternoon out with a group of friends.
One such area to explore is the Tar Cave and Marshmallow Wash.
Tar Cave, Marshmallow Wash
We usually start this trail ride at Warner Valley before making our way to the Arizona Strip, nestled between the Grand Canyon and the Utah border. This area is Mormon pioneer country and it can give a fascinating glimpse into how the pioneers lived if you know where to look.
The Tar Cave, for instance, provided valuable tar that early settlers used to lubricate their wagon wheels and axles. The cave itself is interesting because the tar doesn’t pool on the ground but oozes from the walls. It becomes easier to collect it when the weather is warmer. In addition to using it on their wagons, early pioneers in the area also used the tar to doodle their names on the neighboring cliff walls. If you have a keen eye, you’ll spot some names and dates going back to the late 1800s. How about that for some history?
Driving north from the cave, you’ll have to go through an interesting wash where the rocks look a lot like toasted marshmallows. This is aptly named Marshmallow Canyon or wash. From here, you can enjoy a scenic drive back to St. George.
Trip Preparation
As you prepare for this trip, keep in mind that you’ll be heading into the desert so carry plenty of water and appropriate clothing. This part of the country is sparsely populated so make the trip with some friends –both for fun and security. You could also join us on one of our trail rides to the area.
Also, ensure you download a trail map of the area from our online store. These are available in different formats so you can easily upload them to your GPS device to always know where you are and where you’re going.
Lastly, to enjoy the trip, your ride has to be in good condition. You’ll be doing a lot of driving over rugged surfaces and you’ll need a 4WD with enough clearance to get you there and back. To ensure your rig is in top shape, bring it to our auto store, choose from one of our trail prep and safety packages and we’ll give it the service and maintenance it needs.
Other than that, get out there and have fun!
