THE RAMBLING RACCOON

Hiking | Lifestyle | Travel

Sand Stone Mountain & Babylon ghost town

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This is a fun day trip where you get the opportunity to hit multiple hikes, get some great views, travel a sketchy dirt road, see a ghost town, and decide if the house at the end is haunted for yourself. Oh, and it ends at the Virgin River!

Sand stone mountain

Distance: 4.2 miles round trip.

(See full directions to the trailhead at the end of this post)

Trailhead

Flicker Trail is the main trail that will start your hike. About a 1/2 mile in you will come to the Sandstone Mountain Trail on the left.

Aside from the main trail, there are 2 possible side trails. The first side trail leads to Regal Arch. It is pretty steep and rocky. Remember that any rock can be unstable and to fully test your footing before considering it safe enough to climb.

regal arch

The second trail is the Horse Trail. This trail climbs up through narrow canyons to reach the top of the mountain saddle. Continuing through to a steep descent will lead you back to the far end of the Sandstone Mountain Trail.

To reach the highest point on Sandstone Mountain, follow the Horse Trail down into the main wash. You’ll then work your way up the hill. Keep working your way up towards the summit of the mountain.

Continue down the main dirt road until you see the abandoned home sitting on the edge of the Virgin River. This is the end of the road. Literally. There is no adjoining road, requiring you to turn around and come back the way you came.

Warning:

I’ve been here 3 times and it doesn’t matter what time of year you go; the road is very rough. There are large rocks covering the dirt road, making it one bumpy ride. You will want a four- wheel vehicle with good clearance. It also curves around blind mountain bends, so make sure you are taking it slow and watching out for other vehicles.

There are multiple hikes in the area! As you drive, you’ll see lots of trails to explore.

“Haunted House at Babylon”

This town is called Babylon. This was the home of miners who were working at the Stormont Mill on the banks of the Virgin River in the 1800’s.

At its highest, this town had about 20 families residing in it, roughly 40-50 people. The Stormont Mill was closed down by the Stormont Mining Company in 1887 and the town was quickly abandoned. It is now a ghost town.

At the Virgin River, the foundations of the Babylon House, as well as the walls of the Stormont Mill’s office, can be seen. This is called “The Haunted House at Babylon” by locals, depending on who you ask anyway.

History:

John & Geraldine Vought had planned to return southern Utah and build a retirement home in the Leeds area where Geraldine had grown up. Unfortunately, Geraldine died before they were able to do so. However, John proceeded with the plan. Vought bought the old Stormont Mill property and engaged St. George architect, Mary Ann Kozlowski. John put $250,000 into the building of what he called the “Babylon House”. However, after the home caught fire and burned down to the foundations, he abandoned the project. 

Architectural Drawing of the Babylon House 

Stories:

After hearing that, you’re probably thinking, “Oh wow, that’s sad.” Yes, it is. However, that is not the stories I have heard about this home.

I heard about them dying tragically. I won’t go into detail. I’ve heard scary stories about people staying overnight there and terrifying things happening.

Tall tales? Apparently. But who really knows.

Let’s just say with the satanic graffiti that now exists, it gives me the creeps either way.

This abandoned house sits on the Virgin River! The river is beautiful, but also freezing cold and extremely swift in some areas. It is also very deep depending on the amount of moisture received around the time you go. Take precautions!!

Directions:

From North-East on Interstate I15, take exit 22 onto S Main Street in Leeds and continue north-east through Leeds. If you’re traveling South-West on Interstate I15 take exit 23, turn left on Silver Reef Drive going under I15 to N Main Street and turn left heading North-East. Continue out of Leeds on 900 N.

This road veers south into Babylon. At about 3 miles turn left off the main road to a fenced parking lot about 200 feet from the main road. Continuing on, this road ultimately ends at the historic Stormont Silver Mill on the Virgin River, a distance of 4.3 miles.

Location of The Babylon House: 37° 11′ 33″ North Latitude, 113° 21′ 9″ West Longitude 

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15 Responses

  1. What an intriguing place! I love tall tales, and this location would really get my imagination going. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Quite an adventure! Scary yet interesting. Can you tell me when I can read about those stories of the haunted house at Babylon? I love reading histories and such stories. Wonderful pictures though. Thanks for sharing.

    – Sunshine
    https://merakimusings.org/

    1. It’s funny because you can’t actually find anything online about it. But I’ve heard many stories from other locals about scary things happening. So it makes you wonder if it’s real or not? Either way, it’s a spooky place for sure! I wouldn’t stay the night there ? thanks so much for reading!

  3. This sounds like something right up my alley! I’d love to go on the trails and visit the home! Or what’s left of it! Thanks for the great info!