Cedar Pit Mine - Level 3
Cedar Pit Mine is a short, lightly used dirt route in the hills of Iron County, Utah, north of Cedar City. It starts out faint and partly grown in, crosses a wash, and then picks up a clearer two-track that winds through open sagebrush country toward its end point.
This isn't a manicured road. The first section takes some patience and route-finding because the track fades in and out through the brush. Past that, the trail settles into a more defined path. It's a good pick for drivers who want a quiet back road close to town and don't mind a little brush on the paint.
Trail Summary
- LocationIron County, Utah
- Distance4.1 miles
- DifficultyLevel 3
- Elevation5,511 ft to 5,872 ft with a 361 ft change
- Travel Time32 minutes
Difficulty
Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
This trail is rated Moderate and is best suited for a stock high clearance 4x4 with off-road tires. Expect an uneven, rutted dirt surface where you may need to pick your tire placement carefully, with possible loose rock, sandy washes and short obstacles under 12 inches. The hardest part is the opening stretch between the trailhead and waypoint 2, where four-wheel drive is needed. Here you drive over sagebrush on a faint track that seems to disappear in places. Keep following the track and it shows up again, then turns into a clearer road. Farther on, near waypoint 5, there is a milder spot with some deeper ruts that calls for a slower pace and good wheel placement.
Terrain
The trail begins in a grown-in section that drops through a small wash before the road becomes visible again. From there the route follows a narrow two-track through sagebrush, and in several spots the brush has nearly taken over the tread. Once past the first stretch, the track is easier to follow, though ruts have formed in places. The surroundings are typical high desert foothills on the edge of Cedar Valley, with dry soils and low brush.
Highlights
The Parowan Gap petroglyph site is in the same general area. It's managed by the BLM Cedar City Field Office and is worth adding to the day if you're exploring nearby dirt roads. The Parowan Gap OHV Trail System also connects BLM lands between the Three Peaks Recreation Area and the Minersville Reservoir area, so there's plenty more to drive in the region. Because the route is lightly traveled and faint in places, a downloaded map helps keep you on the right track.
Map
The interactive map needs JavaScript. Every waypoint is also listed below.
Waypoints
Waypoint 1 (37.87500, -112.98833)
Start of Cedar Pit Mine Road. The first part is grown in. Drive through and cross the wash, and the road becomes visible again past it.
Waypoint 2 (37.87545, -112.99769)
The stretch from the start to here is the hardest part of the trail and needs four-wheel drive. Follow the faint track over the sagebrush until it turns into a clearer road.
Waypoint 3 (37.86656, -113.00301)
Waypoint 4 (37.85749, -113.01060)
Waypoint 5 (37.85673, -113.01084)
A milder tricky spot with some deeper ruts.
Waypoint 6 (37.83618, -113.02058)
End of the trail.