It is such a beautiful day that I've decided I should load the quad and head somewhere close by noon. Iron County and most counties have been hard at work to layout ATV/OHV trail systems to help control the riding and provide a safe environment. I've reviewed the Color County ATV/OHV trail system's maps but haven't put any of them to fair use as yet. Today that will change as I head toward the Parowan Gap and Color County trails P01, P05, and P06.

The sun is shining, but it is so much colder at 5,800 feet elevation than yesterday's 3,514 feet elevation at Little Virgin Peak in Gold Butte National Monument. I immediately put on my jacket as I unload the quad and get ready to ride. Parowan Gap is a fantastic place in itself, and I want to do a thorough job of writing a trip report on it someday, but today I park in a wide staging area to the west of the gap.

According to the Color Country Trail - Parowan Gap OHV Trail Segment map, P01 is a Core Route that leads north following the ridgeline that makes up the northern section of The Gap. The road is smooth, easy to ride, and no heavy traffic in the area. At the appointed mileage, I'm supposed to turn right and see a small ATV trail marker. The marker is confusing as it only shows an ATV picture with an arrow pointing back the way I came. No other indicators announce if I'm on P01 or some alternate route. Roads cut through the hillside, and I follow several before being forced to turn around and try other alternate routes.

I'm trying to reach Red Hills, North summit. Through the Juniper trees stretching between my current location and several canyons and washes, I can see it, but I haven't found the trail that will help me reach it as of yet. I'm not disappointed. Riding these back roads, washes, mud, and snow is half the fun, but I am disappointed in the signage. I circle back again to the main road and travel down it.

Junction with trail P06 heading toward Red Hills, North

Another route spur and I decided to give it a try. This trail is in the shade and consequently has large snowdrifts. I have fun spinning the tires and try to follow the route. It soon crosses another path that I recognize as the trial I need to reach Red Hills. Patches of mud and snow still exist, but the ridgeline road is dry as I race along the hillside to arrive at the summit. An extensive circular ATV trail forms a loop, and I park the quad to walk around. The small rise to the west appears to be the high mark as I walk to the top. The summit GPS coordinates are a little to the south and I hike to the spot. These rolling plateau summits are difficult to mark, so I hit all the small rises in the area and call it good.

Summit view east to Parowan and Brian Head peak.

It's cold, and the sun is dropping low on the western horizon making the shadows long on the hillside on which I stand. Across the valley, Brian Head Peak, the highest point in Iron County, is ablaze in the setting sun, and it is a fantastic sight. I dig into my pack and pull out my neck warmer and gloves. The main road takes me straight to my waiting truck, and I'm packed and loaded without delay. The side trips were fun, but even with my preloaded maps, it was challenging to navigate the trail system. I'll continue to work with it, but hopefully, signage will improve over time.

Summit view north to UNP7577 and Jackrabbit Mountain