Lava Tube & Lava Flow - Snow Canyon State Park

(After the hike of Angels Landing, we were back to St. George around noon. After a brief meal in a Vietnamese restaurant, our energy level was back on track, and we sought an easy activity for the afternoon.) "Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre scenic park quietly tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment (Navajo sandstone in the Red Mountains). Majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls evoke strong emotional responses from visitors." [4Feet]: Snow Canyon State Park was considered one of the most underrated state parks we have ever been to. It featured 11 trails with multiple unique attractions, and the lava tube is definitely an interesting and exciting one visitors should never miss. Along the trail, there are signs with a little explanation about the lava tubes and the plants and animals. We learned that a lava tube is formed when molten lava flows from an erupting volcano. When a tube is extinct, it means that the volcano is no longer active and the lava has hardened, creating an elongated tunnel. These lava tubes in Southern Utah froze long ago, forming caves that people can enter and explore. There were three main lava tubes in this state park along with the Lava Flow Trail. We crawled down into a smaller one which connected to another tube underground via a very narrow tunnel. A headlight and a pair of gloves are generally recommended while exploring a mysterious but rocky lava cave. No fruit bat was found throughout this "lave tube" adventure. As the sun was setting in a heartbeat, we did not spend much time in one single attraction. Alongside the trail, three gigantic lava flows were present on our righthand side. The lava rock formed in a very unique way like stacks of cookies tilting on the side. Hiking on lava flow was rather easy as the surface was not only smooth but also stair-like, which allow hikers to climb up and down a steeper slope without major concern. 12/18/20