Kolob Arch, Kolob Canyons, Utah

The Kolob Arch trail has been on my 'to do' list for about 4 years now, and finally I got to do it all!! It completely lived up to my expectations, and then some!! Simply insane weekend that challenged us in every way. The hike in was easy. The first 4 miles of which we have done about 3 times before, never having enough time (or energy) to complete the entire 14 miles round trip in one day. So to get to the point where we always turn around, and knowing that we have our backpacks for an overnight stay was exciting to know we can explore further. Our camping spot was just perfect, it had its own little natural Spring set back a little ways that provided the perfect water source from which to filter our drinking water. The camp spot was about a mile from the actual arch and after setting up camp on Saturday, we took off to find the Arch. The last half mile of the trail is quite hard-going as it involves a lot of climbing over things and navigating your way round large boulders and fallen trees that block the path, but the trip is worth it. The Arch is huge and very impressive, equally impressive are the 2 gushing waterfalls spilling out the mountain high up above us. The weather was simply perfect - cloudless skies and bright, hot sunshine. Saturday night was nice - the camp spots are sufficiently spread out that you feel completely alone in the wilderness and it is extremely quiet and tranquil. We got up bright and early (aching and sore from the previous day's hike) and made a start on the long slog back to the car. The first 3 miles of the trail were flat and easy-going but once the trail started gaining elevation, the sun got higher in the sky and it was extremely hard-going. The last 2 miles of the trail are steep, uphill and quite honestly, down-right miserable with a heavy backpack. We crossed the creek about 12 times, navigating our way over stones and occasionally getting wet feet - fortunately the 'waterproof' sticker on my boots held up to its claim! Exhausted and with blistered and sore feet, I have never been so pleased, but in a way, sad, to complete a hike. This hike was amazing!Above & Below: At the junction with the LaVerkin Creek and Kolob Arch trails. The above pic is supposed to be some historic horse corral thing - the horses are long gone but the bazillions of flies still remain!

The river was flowing a great speed and volume - some of the trail had been wiped out in places and alternate routes had to be sort out.

Almost at the Arch!

Taking a break at one of the many hidden little wonders on this trail. This waterfall was beautiful.

Our home for the night. :)

Yay!! Made it to the Arch!

On the long slog back home - he may look like he is smiling but it is more of a grimace from the pain!!

South Fork of Taylors Creek - Kolob Canyon, Utah

After a long week stuck inside the office with gorgeous sunshine teasing me, I figured we would have enough time to strap on our boots and head down to Kolob for a quick hike before the sunset. The South Fork hike is one I only heard about a couple of weeks ago - it is an unofficial trail in the park but the trail is extremely well-maintained. It was like nothing I was expecting. Having hiked the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek many times, I figured the South Fork, in the next 'finger' canyon over would be much the same scenery - wow, was I wrong! The trail is fairly short compared to some of the death marches we have done, as Wade calls them :| We hiked about 3 miles round trip which was the perfect distance for the time we had on Friday night. The canyon starts off fairly wide but as you descend further in, the walls start to close on you - due to the recent rains having washed parts of the trail away, one is expected to make like a mountain goat in parts to rediscover the trail and climb your way over obstacles that block your path. The start of the trail

The hike leads you up to the top of a hill that was made by an ancient landslide which is really interesting as the terrain and plant life up there changes considerably. The deeper into the canyon we got, the deeper the snow got - another big surprise given how warm it was in the main canyon. As we neared the end of the trail, we were sinking in drifts up to 18 inches deep - the snow had covered trees and wild roses so as we sunk in the snow, we were getting pretty scraped and cut from obstacles that lay hidden under the snow.

Our final destination ... gorgeous.

Finally we the canyon narrowed to the point where we couldn't hike any further and so we stopped by the stream in the most wonderful spot and enjoyed the peace and solitude of our final destination. The walls of the canyon at this point are made of different colored sandstone with little alcoves / caves and you could spend hours looking at their walls and the colors. Last night's hike reminded me so much of why Kolob is one of my favourite places on this earth.