Zion NP
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Double Arch Alcove Zion NP |
October 20, 2015
Gary and I have driven all the way from Los Angeles to hike in the
less-traveled section of Zion Park — the Kolob
Canyons. I never have hiked up here, and Gary has not seen the
place at all. Although possible rain is predicted, we are hoping
to finish our walk ahead of it.
Getting started
At the Visitor Center the ranger assures us that there is plenty of high ground available should the creek actually flood; he further admonishes us to walk in the mud rather than attempt to forge a new trail.
⇔
We'll be exploring the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek. The North and South Forks have no official trail.
Steps lead down to the water
Ditto
In deference to potential rainfall, I am using my waterproof Nikon camera today, which should serve me just fine.
Paria Point, 7802'
Tucupit Point, 7698', separates the
North and Middle forks of Taylor Creek
Easy walking
At a junction with a use trail that heads over to the North Fork is an old settler's homestead:
The Larson Cabin, circa 1930
Homesteader Gustav Larson left here to serve as President of the Swedish LDS Mission. When he returned, he found that his claim had been declared part of the new Kolob National Monument, which later was incorporated into Zion Park.
Nice textures in the bark
The canyon gets smaller
The clouds are low
This next segment is reminiscent of the hike over to the nearby Subway, where walking in the creek is an obligatory function.
This is fun
Shaggy Mane mushrooms
The Fife Cabin, also built around 1930
Arthur Fife raised goats up here when not busy teaching down at the local college. Log cabins such as his are rated at up to eight times stronger than modern conventional homes; that's why they last so long.
The creek is the trail again
I'd like to see the water flowing
Having walked more than two miles, we must be getting close now.
A most unusual rock formation
And here we are. I knew to expect something out of the ordinary,
but this spectacle exceeds any expectations. Oh, my!
Double Arch Alcove
There is a foot trail up into the grotto; yet there also are signposts asking us not to use it, so we honor them. I'll have to take pictures from down here.
The prettiest wall I ever saw
Amazing stuff
It can be difficult to appreciate the scale of a formation without a frame of reference. This picture of Gary's adds some perspective to the scene:
It seems that I am good for something
By backing away from the alcove a bit, one can see the entire cliff.
An arch in the making up above
A trail continues up the canyon. Doubtless there are
sights of interest up there; but according to the Park Service,
the path is obstructed and hiking is ill-advised.
I'd like to check it out sometime anyway
The cracks in the wall are leaking
After a lunch break, it's time to head back.
The water is crystal-clear
This one was bypassed on the way up
The rain is waiting for us to finish
Fancy rocks
Around the next corner is a scene that takes my breath away. How different a trail can look from the opposite direction!
This is why I go hiking
That also is one of my all-time favorite photographs. My substitute camera is treating me well.
A final look back
At the end, I feel compelled to scamper up the nifty stairs as quickly as possible.
The parking lot is just around the corner
§: Well, this was a glorious finish to our little
hiking excursion. Although I am sure that this area is
great at any time of year, the fall color added its usual
special look and feel. I definitely might return here
for some more photos of the Double Arch Alcove.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude | |
After the hike, Gary and I drove the few remaining miles up Kolob Road; this is what we found:
Great lighting
The place that the tour buses forgot
The South Fork of Taylor Creek looks like a great 1-mile adventure
Perhaps it's just as well that the Kolob Canyons remain relatively unpopular
with the masses. After all, there is nothing to do up here except to look
around — and go hiking!
