Both descents are extremely steep and rocky with an elevation loss of about 1500 feet. In addition to the Red Mountain route that descends to the toe of the mountain above Ivins, the descent may also be done via the Gunsight route. Lost hiker rescues are not uncommon in this area due to lack of preparation and proper orientation. A good topographical map and/or GPS will be helpful, if not essential, but getting disoriented is still a possibility in areas with no official trail, no signs, and numerous user tracks that often lead to nowhere. There are no trail signs after the Snow Canyon Overlook trail junction sign (which is frequently down or missing). Off trail hiking is allowed in this “upland zone” and many hikers and equestrians choose to take the more scenic “alternate” route closer to the rim that would include the beautiful, white-rocks area rather than following the old 2-track route. There is no official trail for the last couple of miles to the mountain’s southern end or to the top end of the Gunsight route. The 2-track trail continues over Red Mountain for a total of about 6 miles from the trailhead before it fades away. The trail to the West Canyon overlook and beyond is an old 2-track route that varies from extremely rocky (especially the first mile) to sandy. The trail from the Highway 18 trailhead is about 9.5 miles long with an initial elevation gain of about 400 feet to its high point and total up and down elevation change of more than 2,000 feet at the base of Red Mountain, including a 1500 foot drop in the last quarter mile. The Red Mountain Trail is located primarily in the Red Mountain Wilderness Area and extends from the Red Mountain trailhead off Highway 18 above Diamond Valley on the north to the Ivins trailhead at the top of 200 East in Ivins on the south.
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