LaVerkin Creek Trail

The promise of pleasant weather had us lacing up our hiking boots and heading 20 miles South to the beautiful Kolob Canyons area (the Northern section of Zion National Park). We decided to tackle a part of the LaVerkin Creek Trail which we had not previously hiked. When we got there, we were surprised by the amount of snow still laying on the ground - well over a foot in the more shaded areas. We started the hike about 12 noon and the mild sun had already melted some of the snow away to expose the muddy trail beneath.. and as the sun got higher and melted the ground more, the ground got even muddier! The combination of hiking in thick mud one minute and deep snow the next really took its toll on our feet and by the end of our hike, it was quite clear that the 'waterproof' label on our hike boots was a false claim!! The trail was gorgeous - it descends to the Canyon floor for the first 2 hours of the hike... the hike back out was the issue - 2 hours of hiking uphill with sodden boots caked with mud. It was our goal to make it to the Kolob Arch but at 13 miles round trip, best achieved on a very long summer day, we knew this goal was impossible. We made it about a half mile past backcountry campsite #3 before resting near some waterfalls ready to start the long hike back up the Canyon. This is a little over half way to the Kolob Arch. It made for a perfect afternoon hike in gorgeous surroundings. But wow, are our legs screaming with pain today!!

Lunch stop - a little over half way of the total hike trail.

Photos not in order - this below pic is the beginning of the hike.

Below: The hike criss-crosses the creek for a while.

The frozen creek in some places made it easier to cross!