The Mansard Path in Kanab, Utah is without doubt one of the greatest hikes in Kanab for vacationers searching for each surroundings and historical past. This reasonably difficult path features about 1,400 toes in elevation and affords unbelievable views of the Vermilion Cliffs and purple rock landscapes that make Southern Utah well-known. On the finish of the hike, guests are rewarded with a surprising alcove full of historical petroglyphs, making it one of many prime petroglyph websites within the space. If you’re in search of the most effective issues to do in Kanab, climbing the Mansard Path combines stunning views, outside journey, and Native American rock artwork in a single unforgettable tour.
Trailhead elevation 5,324′
Do not miss the hunt scene depiction
Climbing the Mansard Path
It’s my previous man and me, on our second full day again in Kanab. He’s just a little burned out from the previous couple of days wandering round White Pocket, so I resolve to move out for a late-afternoon hike and eventually try the Mansard Path. The trailhead is only a ten-minute drive from city and I’ve a number of hours earlier than we head out to take a look at the Toadstool Hoodoos for sundown. I pull into the trailhead parking space beside a small residential subdivision and spot solely two different automobiles. Possibly, simply possibly, I’ll get some solitude.
I sling on my daypack and get shifting. The trail is straightforward to comply with, passing rapidly by a cattle gate earlier than gently ascending alongside a compact sand path.
Quickly, the path winds by the Vermillion Cliffs, climbing an extended sequence of switchbacks framed by aromatic juniper and sagebrush. The incline isn’t steep, however the switchbacks appear limitless. Nonetheless, the views of Kanab and the distant plateaus of northern Arizona make each step value it.
Across the one-mile mark, the path steepens, earlier than an eight foot scramble over clean Navajo sandstone slabs.
By round 1.4 miles, the path evens out, heading north alongside the rim of the shallow canyon and revealing sweeping views of the White Cliffs forward. After climbing practically 1,200 toes to succeed in this level, the surroundings appears like a well-earned reward.
1 / 4 mile later, I’m stepping by mushy sand—not deep, however sufficient to gradual my tempo. Half a mile past, the trail veers west and gently climbs once more, resulting in a deep, sandy 4×4 street skirting the southern fringe of Mansard Mesa.
I comply with the street uphill a brief distance, avoiding the climbing path to the left, till reaching a small turnaround.
From there, a path branches off to the appropriate and follows the bottom of a cliff for a number of hundred toes earlier than reaching a large alcove.
Unfold throughout the sloped sandstone ground are dozens—maybe lots of—of petroglyphs. Most are attributed to the Pueblo II interval, roughly AD 950 to 1150, and the variability is putting: a hunt scene, fowl tracks, concentric circles, shamans, bear prints,, snakes, human footprints, baskets, and extra. Typical depictions discovered all through the Southwest, however what makes the Mansard website uncommon is their placement. Not like most panels I’ve seen etched onto vertical partitions or boulders, these designs cowl the alcove’s angled ground.
It’s a really attention-grabbing spot, and as all the time, I catch myself questioning what tales these historical artists supposed to move down.
As I step rigorously across the carvings, I discover a determine Heather jokingly calls “historical elephantitis.” Like UFOs, I need to consider the depiction is literal, however I am certain it means one thing else completely.
It is late afternoon and daylight cuts throughout half the alcove’s ground. I think about the petroglyphs are greatest seen within the morning or night shade, however even now, the panel is unbelievable.
After half an hour of wanting round, one thing uncommon catches my eye. At first it appears to be like like a petroglyph, however on nearer inspection it isn’t etched in any respect—it’s raised. Possibly it was as soon as carved and later naturally stuffed in with minerals, or possibly it’s one thing else completely. Both approach, it doesn’t seem pure.
I flip by the pocket book tucked inside an previous ammo field on the alcove’s entrance—pages full of names of tourists from close to and much: Washington, Texas, Louisiana, New York, Nevada, Connecticut, British Columbia, and whilst far-off as Austria.
Curious in regards to the alcove’s true scale, I launch my drone for a couple of minutes. From above, the dimensions turns into clearer: not less than 60 toes huge and 30 toes deep—huge by any measure.
I cling round for an additional fifteen minutes, soaking within the view, earlier than retracing my steps again to the trailhead, simply in time to select up my dad for dinner and a sundown go to to the Toadstool Hoodoos. One other beautiful night settles over Kanab, and the Mansard Path hasn’t disillusioned.
