3 Days, 2 nights. Around 40 miles hiked. Lee Pass, La Verkin Creek, Kolob Arch, Bear Trap Canyon, Hop Valley, Wildcat Canyon, West Rim Trail, Potato Hollow, Angels Landing, The Grotto.
New Gear Used and Tested:
-Gossamer Gear Kumo Pack
-Gossamer Gear Air Beam Frame (Doubled as a pillow)
-Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp
-Dirty Girl Gaiters
-Neo Air Xtherm Sleeping Pad
The car was left in Springdale and my buddy Dan and I got shuttled to the Lee Pass Trailhead around 8:00 a.m.
The trail eventually links up with La Verkin creek and the stream crossing begins.
A slightly better water source.
One of the largest free-standing arches in the world, Kolob Arch.
It felt as though we were stepping into a refrigerator as we entered in to explore the bear trap canyon.
The falls.
Around 20 degrees cooler than that of our previous canyon.
DAY TWO
Climbing up to Hop Valley we could see our night one camp beneath.
Let the sand walking begin. At this point in Hop Valley the trail fans out everywhere.
Love the lush.
A few cattle gates along the way.
Looking back at Kolob Canyon.
The connector trail to Wildcat Canyon brought us into a different biosphere and less sand made for easier walking.
Wildcat Canyon.
My mind often wandered down into the canyon and I imagined how rugged the remote depths of this place must be.
The sun had been gone for hours and the wind began to make itself noticed.
Our view to the east.
Camp two. Snow still lies on the hillside.
A short walk from our campsite included this view of the big drop from Potato Hollow. The dusk and dawn light never gave me an opportunity to get a valid shot of the canyon here, but believe me when I say it was impressive. Somewhere down there lies the famous Narrows.
DAY THREE
Working our way to the main canyon.
Looking down at the crazy switchbacks we’re about to embark on.
Trail or sidewalk?
We aren’t so remote anymore.
This view of Angels Landing is one that not many that choose to climb get to see before they make the trip.
Pavement and the main canyon below.
That sign that reads that six people have fallen to their deaths since 2004.
On top of it all.
After heading down the switchbacks past dozens of day hikers we reached the Grotto and hopped on the Zion bus system to Springdale.
I’ll be back.
