Deep within the striking red rocks and mountains of Snow Canyon State Park, hooves engraved the red sand along the trails. This magnificent adventure playground was perfect to take a horse-guided tour along the red and white Navajo sand cliffs.

Patty Arnett, a once-competing and Olympic medalist in horse racing, took my family and I for a two-hour ride through the desert front. The tour took us through the black lava rocks and the sand cliffs where movies such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” were filmed.

While riding through a blind corner, two riders coming from the opposite direction came sprinting by on their horses. Spooked by the sound and of the sight of scurrying horses, the steeds we were riding took off in fear. After yelling and pulling on the reins, we were able to stop the horses and calm them down and get back into formation.

The rest of ride, however, was quite peaceful, and I was mesmerized by the outstanding views of the canyon. Everywhere I looked, the red rocks shone bright against the beautiful, blue skyline. For more information about the guided horse tours go to the Snow Canyon Trail Rides’s website.