It wasn't a difficult choice. Brian Head announced that their high-speed quad on chairlift number two is going to open on Saturday. With blue skies, little wind, and warmer temperatures near St. George, I decided to head south for the day.

Just past the Arizona border at exit 27, I turned right on Black Rock Road and parked in the staging area near the rock quarry. This area is a popular site for dry camping, and southeast of the freeway, a dozen or more campers and motorhomes dot the landscape. A lone trailer has set up camp near the staging area, and I can hear the generator's gentle drumming as I unload my ATV. I like to camp, but I look forward to the days that I will set up camp for a week or longer. However, retirement is still a few years off, and I still love what I do, so being a weekend warrior fits now.

A road exists to the summit of Starvation Point, so consequently, I have had it on my list to reach the mountain peak for some time. As I drive down the rocky road, I'm glad I waited until I purchased the ATV. The road is rugged, and it would have been an exceedingly bumpy ride in the jeep. Besides, it's a beautiful day.

One website I use for peak-bagging commented on a small arch in the shape of an elephant. I'm glad I read about it as I probably would have missed the small turnout and hike to this fun shaped structure. Visible from the freeway hundreds of feet below, the little arch does resemble an elephant.

Dozens of arches exist in the Virgin River Gorge. The rock holds varying degrees of hardness. Generally, the softer portion washes away, leaving razor-sharp rock ridges nice for traction while hiking but brutal on the hands if using grips. String these ridges together beside a wash, and an arch develops. They are rugged and beautiful.

Viewpoints exist along the trail, each more remarkable than the last. Starvation Point resides along the southern side of the rising mountain ridge before dropping into the web of canyons created by the Virgin River. The views south into the valleys and crags are breathtaking.

The ATV ride out and back takes about 2:15 minutes to complete. I load the quad and drive to In-and-Out Burger for a late lunch. At 3:00 p.m. I figured a quick drive through Double-Double would fit the bill before heading home. How 30 other people had the same idea is a total mystery as the drive-thru line snaked around the parking lot. In a non-COVID world, most would choose to eat indoors, but a drive-thru is still the way to go as infection rates continue to rise here in Southern Utah. I finish eating in the parking lot, grateful for the day and a burger that reminded me how good ordinary food could taste.

Starvation Point, Elevation 3581, AZ rank: 4582, AZ Prominence Rank: 919