Segments of centuries-old Indian trails between St. George and Long Valley were used by Mormon pioneers in 1864 to settle Long Valley and again in its resettlement in 1871 following Indian conflicts. The trail divided in this area, with the Elephant Trail taking a northeasterly route while the alternate Cottonwood Canyon-Sand Ridge Trail went more easterly before rejoining the Elephant Trail after descending into Parunuweap Canyon and Long Valley. About 85 miles long, this desert route crossed deep sand, sandstone ledges, and lava faults and served as the primary transportation route, including mail and heavy freight, for half a century. Loaded wagons drawn by horse or ox teams took 4 days to travel the distance.