| | -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 8.74 Miles |
1,829 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.74 Miles | 3 Hrs 49 Mns | | 2.47 mph |
| 1,829 ft AEG | 17 Mns Break | 4 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Day 3 in Zion
Once again, I did not get selected for an Angels Landing permit. Although that cut into my beer-drinking funds, I wasn’t too upset. I reverted to Plan B.
West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout Plus
This hike includes everything from the Angels Landing hike—except the last 300 feet of elevation gain, the chains, and the conga line of people. After finishing Walter’s Wiggles, I headed over to plead with the two rangers checking permits. I whined and cried about not being picked for two days and asked if I could just head up. They’d heard all the stories before and wished me a good day—somewhere else.
I later learned from others on the bus that there are two alternate ways to get in:
Go in the late afternoon, after 2:30 PM. Sometimes the rangers are gone by then.
Talk to people on the way up and see if they have any openings on their permits. If they do, you can check in with them and go up together.
Anyway, a suggestion from our BnB host was to just continue up the West Rim Trail. You get higher than Angels Landing, avoid most of the crowds, and enjoy just as good views—just without the bragging rights. I was very happy with this choice and would recommend it to others.
[ youtube video ]
This was supposed to be our last hike in Zion before heading over to the North Rim for a few days. But after checking my email and voicemails, I found out that storms on Sunday, June 1st, had blown out a transformer. The North Rim was without power and had no estimated repair time, so our reservations were canceled. Oh, joy.
Luckily, we were able to extend our stay at our BnB by a day. This is the same BnB that wasn’t our first choice—our original hotel canceled us three weeks ago because construction wasn’t finished. I’d highly recommend the BnB we stayed at (The Harvest House, between stops 3 and 4 on the Springdale line). Adults-only, clean and quiet rooms, and a great breakfast.
Taylor Creek Trail
Next, we headed out of the main part of the park and made the 45-minute drive to the far northwest section to check in with the ranger station there. We were in sampling mode now, trying to see as much as we could while we were still around.
The Taylor Creek Trail (out and back) is about 6 miles. I chose to just go out to the first cabin (Larson), which made it a short 2-mile round trip. The scenery improved the farther in we went, so I’d like to return and do the full route, including the second cabin and the alcove/cave at the end, reportedly 15 degrees cooler.
Kolob Viewpoint
We hopped back on E. Kolob Canyon Road and drove it to the top/end. We didn’t hike but took in the incredible views. This parking area is also the start of the Timber Creek Overlook Trail—one for another trip.
[ youtube video ]
Lava Point Overlook
Back out of the park and headed toward Springdale. Near the town of Virgin, we turned onto North Kolob Terrace Road. It was 91°F when we started and 65°F when we reached our first stop 22 miles later. Once again: stunning views, made even better by thunder boomers to the north. No hiking here, just oohs and aahs.
Kolob Reservoir
A hop, skip, and a jump from Lava Point, we briefly checked out Kolob Reservoir.
Then it was back to town to suck down some suds and take in a calzone at Zion Pizza & Noodle. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
|
|
| _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
