Zion National Park
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Pine Creek Waterfall Zion National Park |
April 18, 2010
Although I have just driven 730 miles from Sacramento, I managed the trip in ten hours flat. This leaves some daylight for a short hike or two, as per the plan.
Highway-9 crosses Pine Creek just as it begins to switchback up the mountain
toward the one-of-a-kind Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. This is
where my search begins for a seasonal little waterfall that cannot be viewed in
any other way.
First view of the falls
Western Wallflower
Nice scales!
I can find no easy way to continue up the canyon without fording the
creek. Scrambling up a cliff to the left gets me to higher ground.
It also is wet, but a couple of handy tree branches facilitate the climb.
From there it is an easy rock-hop to the destination.
The 'trail'
Crescent Milkvetch
The falls are quite picturesque. I plop down on a little beach to contemplate the beauty of the setting. Presently two couples appear, throw off all their clothes, and jump in. Having already determined that the water is quite cold, I opt not to join them.
Pine Creek Falls
The foursome of visitors had approached along the south side of the creek, whereas I was on the north side. Perhaps they know a better way. Investigating, I am unable to discover a route back that does not lead substantially away from my choice of trailhead; so I retrace my steps, sliding down that awkward wet section.
Near the end of the walk a high cliff on the south bank looks as if it would be a great place to view just after a rain.
No safe passage this way
A weeping wall
§: This is the only park I know where so many special areas are readily accessible to an enterprising hiker without benefit of an official trail. Numerous treasures, many of them near roadside, are just waiting to be discovered and explored. This has been one of them.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
