Zion -- Kolob Canyon Backpack

 ebird checklist

We headed out on our backpacking trip the day after our Subway hike.  Our muscles knew we had done something, but there would be no rest for them.  We had thought about day hiking and then finding a camp site somewhere when we set up the trip, but time was short, and internet would be scarce so we settled on simply spending three nights in the backcountry.  It was a good choice, allowing us to spend the first day day hiking to middle and north Taylor Creek, then picking up our backing gear, and water for a day, before heading to our first backcountry site.

We were able to get backcountry sites in Kolob Canyon as we were on the webpage a day after they re-opened the backcountry.  Lucky us. And we only knew to even look as Gina had discovered permits reopened.  Even luckier us.  We randomly choose site 1 which is closest to the trailhead, we were going to day hike elsewhere and this is a pack your water in site, and site 7 as it was right next to the spring.  The river is contaminated with cyanobacteria, so no drinking that.  These both proved to be good choices.  Our evening views at site 1 were spectacular, and site 7 offered water, access to our day hikes, and good evening views.  We loved Kolob Canyon.  Towering red walls really resonate with me.  The only drawbacks we can list were the flies, wowsers there were billions, and lots of walking in loose and deep sand.

First up is our day hike to Taylor Creek.  This is a flat five mile round trip trail to Double Arch Alcove.  It was easy, pleasant, and beautiful, and as we went early, not too covered with people.  As that only took a few hours, we spent time exploring the north fork of Taylor Creek and it was lovely too.  

Even S UT had some smoke.

Double Arch Alcove

Pleated Gentian

I guess even I can see the pleats on this gentian.

After our day hike we headed down into Kolob Canyon and our first backpacking site.  It completely exceeded our expectations.

Our evening view.

The next morning we headed up the canyon.  Our first stop was our campsite to lighten our packs.  Then off to Kolob Arch, billed as the world's largest freestanding arch, and then Bear Trap Canyon.  The arch was impressive, but far away and hard to get a good view of.  Bear Trap Canyon was sublime, but hard to photograph in the mixed sun and shade.  

Kolob Arch

The trail from the arch to Bear Trap Canyon starts off as a trail and starts to fade away.  Going beyond the arch doesn't seem to be all that popular.  By the time we reached the turnoff into Bear Trap, it was a notional trail and we were walking wherever it looked easiest.

The start of Bear Trap Canyon

The guide book says if you bring a 40' foot rope you can continue up the canyon.

The next morning we headed into Hop Valley.  It is part of the trans-Zion trail and is billed as beautiful, but cow infested.  While we didn't see any cows, we sure saw lots of evidence that they had been there recently.  Part of this is a grazing allotment from before the park, and part of it is private property.  Overall I didn't find the cow evidence that annoying and we enjoyed watching the sun hit the red walls on our walk in.

The view of Kolob Canyon as we start into Hop Valley.

Plateau Fence Lizard

The next morning was simply packing up and walking the 5 uphill miles back to the car while enjoying the early morning light show.