Zion National Park, Utah
|
Northgate Peaks Zion National Park, Utah |
October 25, 2019
On Day #15, this is the last scheduled outing of the Autumn Bucket List Tour.
I am due to return home tomorrow, and that's a 700-mile drive.
Having just successfully located some nearby pictographs that had eluded me previously,
I'll finish up with this lesser-visited short walk in the least-visited
area of the park. This trailhead also serves as the canyoneers' access to
The Subway, which explains the prominent signpost:
This message is not for me
Getting started
It is very dry here this late in the season. I am not expecting anything in the way of greenery or flowers.
Not needed now, but fun anyway
Lots of lava in here
It is but a short mile to an important trail junction.
Turning right here
Not this time
Not much to see yet
Another mile later, something interesting finally appears.
Northgate Peaks West
A telephoto close-up reveals some amazing patterns
North Guardian Angel
In the distance are the high peaks and cliffs that overlook Springdale at the
park's main entrance — The Three Marys, West Temple, and more.
The trail all but ends abruptly at a rock outcropping.
I won't disturb that couple
The walls of Zion Canyon are in the background
The scenery, which is quite different here, would be much more enjoyable if the sun were farther along in its arc and not interfering with the views.
It is suggested that these two peaks are climbable. The one on the right looks way too steep, but the mountain to the left looks more friendly.
Northgate Peaks West is doable
Behind that peak is an interesting white wall:
Wildcat Canyon and Horse Pasture Plateau
The canyoneers, permits in hand, go down that canyon to tackle the mysterious
inner channels of The Subway, which actually is little more than a mile from here.
It seems a bit weird to be so near, yet so far from the most beautiful setting in
Zion Park — or most any other park, for that matter.
Many other hikers will arrive shortly
One blogger suggests that this walk is incomplete without continuing down past the overlook and closer to North Guardian Peak, yet the idea somehow doesn't appeal today even though I have plenty of time. It's time to head back.
Pine Valley Peak
Veering off the trail for a peek below:
Great West Canyon
A second spur trail takes me right over to the start of the canyoneering route:
The Subway descent starts here
That explains the cairns on the slab beyond.
Back in the lava flow
Nearing the finish
The parking lot still is full
§: This walk might easily merit a rating of 6 or even 7 in the
springtime; but today, despite the unusual scenery, I found it rather dull
overall. Perhaps fifteen consecutive days of exploration had something
to do with it. Maybe I need a rest.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
Actually, the best scenery of the day was had during the post-hike drive down the mountain to Cedar City:
Cedar Breaks National Monument to the east
Ashdown Gorge Wilderness to the north
