October 20-25, 2016
Diana and I entered Zion National Park from the east side.
View from Watchman Campground. The weather was perfect.
The campground was full. We decided not to ride the crowded shuttle to the most popular areas of the park. Instead, we chose some outlying areas of the park and less-traveled wilderness trails.
It was warm enough for the reptiles to be out. This harmless snake was on the Pa'rus Trail near the campground.
The Pa'rus Trail is the only trail in the park that allows dogs, so Thistle and I hiked part of it daily. We did encounter other dogs, runners, and bikers which made it less fun.
That trail follows the Virgin River.
Early the first morning after our arrival we drove to the remote Kolob Plateau to hike part of the Wildcat Canyon Trail and Northgate Peaks Trail to a viewpoint.
We saw some nice Mule Deer bucks on the way.
Diana near the trailhead.
We entered the wilderness, and had the trail all to ourselves. We did meet one other hiker heading to another trail.
Early sun shining through the ferns.
We could hear coyotes howling near here. Want to hear them? Click on the video below.
We turned off the Wildcat Canyon Trail before it descended into the canyon, and took this trail to a view of the Northgate Peaks.
A lone aspen tree silhouetted against the gray rock.
Views from the trail's end.
Woodpecker
Heading back to the trailhead.
These next photos were taken along the road across Kolob Terrace. A small grove of aspens...
We stopped to hike a small ways out the Hop Valley Trail.
Just enough to get some pictures of the views.
Hop Valley
A broader view of Hop Valley.
Cows grazing on the Kolob Plateau
The next morning we left at sunrise to hike a trail and see the sights out the east side of the park along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
We hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail.
The trail starts out on a catwalk along the side of the cliff.
View from an alcove in the cliff.
Diana walking past a hanging garden, where water seeps down the cliffs.
The tree made a nice frame.
Views of Zion Canyon.
View from Zion Canyon Overlook.
We could see cars going through the tunnel at the east entrance.
After the hike we continued out the highway and were amazed at all the fall colors we found. Those are red maples in the wash below.
So we parked and hiked down into the washes.
We followed this wash under the highway to the other side.
Where bright red maples were at their peak.
And the rocks were colorful too.
Yellow cottonwood trees were showy.
We were in awe of all the color.
Diana was colorful too!
Farther up the highway, we found some Bighorn Sheep.
The rams have larger horns than the ewes.
A big ram.
More scenery.
And more sheep!
Diana shooting a large cottonwood tree.
Back in the campground this large buck was wandering through. My brother taught me this is a 5X5, not a ten point buck as we would call the White-tails in New England.
This man walked by without even seeing it!
On our morning walk.
Interesting wooden camper in the campground. Beautiful wood, but heavy I imagine.
Another day, another wilderness trail. This time we drove to the remote Kolob Canyons area. It was cloudy when we started out.
We came to hike the Taylor Creek Trail.
The trail begins with a steep descent to Taylor Creek.
Down and then up some steps, then it levels off.
Taylor Creek
Entering the wilderness.
Views from the trail...
Diana crossing Taylor Creek.
If I remember correctly, the rock is called Paria Point.
The leaves are past their peak colors here, but still colorful.
Diana and me posing on a cool rock.
Cascading water in Taylor Creek
More views from the trail.
Our destination is a large Double Arch Alcove.
The maples have lost most of their leaves.
Another creek crossing.
Larson cabin, circa 1930.
Fallen leaves
The smell of the decomposing leaves evoked memories of walking in the woods in New England during autumn.
Trees growing high on the cliffs.
Yellow cottonwoods
Leaves floating in the creek.
Sorry, beauty overload...I couldn't stop taking pictures.
Second cabin...the Fife cabin, circa 1930.
The trail begins to climb.
We are approaching the double arch alcove.
Diana heading toward the larger, lower arch.
You can see the upper arch/alcove to the right above.
Here you can see both alcoves.
The lower arch alcove was huge and brightly colored.
Lower Arch Alcove
Maidenhair fern grows here where water seeps down the rock.
Looking down the canyon beyond the double arches.
Double Arch Alcove
The rock is very red.
We ate lunch here, and the local wildlife came out.
On the way back we noticed this smaller alcove.
Notice the clouds moving in! Rain was predicted for the afternoon.
Cottonwood tree and red rocks with a background of cloudy sky.
Interesting mushrooms growing beside the trail. It began to sprinkle just as we arrived back at the trailhead.
We drove up to Kolob Canyons Overlook and the sky let loose!
That shower passed quickly, but more was coming, so we headed back to the campground. This is the misty view of Kolob Canyons after the rain.
