Spectra Point Trail - Cedar Breaks National Monument

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Spectra Point Trail - Cedar Breaks National Monument

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.9 miles / 3.1 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

Family Friendly

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Overview: Located at 10,350 feet elevation, Cedar Breaks National Monument makes a nice reprieve from the summers heat found at Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.

Cedar Breaks is host to only two trails, the Ramparts Trail which includes Spectra Point and a circular 2 mile Alpine Pond Trail.

The National Monument makes up for the lack of "in-house" trails by being the center of a host of hiking, mountain biking, horse and ATV trails located all around the park. Brian Head Ski Resort runs their chair lifts all summer long taking the die-hard mountain biker to 11,000 feet for extreme action. Rattlesnake Creek Trail descends into the beautiful Ashdown Gorge Wilderness area where steep terrain, slot canyons and high country adventure await everyone willing to give it a try.

Tips: Bug Spray! Fly's, nat's and mosquito's are common.
Elevation! You are hiking at 10,000 feet, respect this fact and pay attention to any altitude sickness. You can expect to be winded, but any unexplained severe headaches should cause you to seek lower elevation immediately.
Family Friendly Hike but use caution, this is a rim hike along a crumbling eroding amphitheater, keep away from the edge. And keep children close.
Take plenty of water (drink more at higher elevations) and energy snacks.

Points of Interest

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Parking and Visitor Center

From the parking lot proceed to the visitor center to pay the $4 dollar entrance fee. Because Cedar Breaks is a National Monument the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass also allows entry.

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Point Supreme

From the Visitor Center take the short 200 yard walk to Point Supreme, this is the main viewing area into the amphitheater. The views are stunning anytime, but the best time to view the colors are early morning or just before dusk. Looking South to the white ridge you'll notice a prominent point with railing. This is Spectra Point.

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Spectra Point trailhead

Backtrack from Point Supreme, and follow the well designated path through the trees to the rim of the amphitheater. Looking South you'll see the established trail weaving itself through the trees along the rim.

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Changing Perspective

Hiking along the rim gives you an ever changing perspective of the amphitheater and Spectra Point. Looking West you will be able to make out the distant lava fields across the plateau. Look close at the Hoodoo in the bottom of the canyon and you'll notice 2 - 3 very distinct "windows" in the rock.

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Spring comes slow at 10,000 feet

Spring comes slow to the mountain at 10,000 feet elevation. Reaching the Southern side of the rim where the predominant winds blow and the pine trees help hold the snow are several large snow packs to negotiate (even this late in the year 7/1/11). Watching the snow melt, and the water running down the canyon, one begins to appreciate the fact that this beautiful place is constantly undergoing change.

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Bristlecone Pine Trees

Just before arriving at Spectra Point you are greeted by one of Natures Oldest living things. These ancient Bristlecone Pine trees that exist in the harsh environment of a windswept ridge are a wonder to behold. One stands in reverenced awe at these masters of survival, some living as long as 5000 years.

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Spectra Point

Spectra Point is the first leg of a multi-leg trail continuing along the rim of Cedar Breaks. Also, serving as the trailhead for an additional 2 mile round trip along Ramparts Trail. This portion of the trail was impassable due to snow and mud. From the Spectra Point look North across the amphitheater to Point Supreme.

Pictures in this guide taken by: bdolan, steve625

How does this work?

I'm not sure which held my attention the most. The hundreds of different colors from the amphitheater or the several thousand year old Bristlecone Pine trees.

PS. I'm not sure why Everytrail is now having us rate and review our own guides. It seems a little self serving to me. My apologies.
Visited on Jul 01, 2011

by steve625 on Jul 05, 2011 at 08:04:15 pm