Day: May 14, 2017

Pic: Do not collect $200. Virgin, UT

Derek from St. George didn’t have firsthand knowledge of camping options near the Kolob Canyons section of the park I planned to visit the next day. He had BLM maps of the area, but they weren’t entirely clear about where camping was allowed (where does the “lowland zone” end and the “upland zone” begin?) nor about which roads Isa would find passable. I thought I might ask for advice at the ranger station, but after a late start in the morning, a short hike in the afternoon, and an early dinner at the only restaurant in La Verkin, I arrived at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center to find it closed.

It took some exploring but after five slow miles down a pretty gnarly forest road, my reward was a secluded, quiet (once the kids on ATVs wrapped up for the evening) spot next to a creek.

Pic: You clean up pretty nice. North Guardian Angel from Northgate Peaks Overlook, Zion NP, UT. (Much) larger image

Finally set foot inside Zion with a quick four mile out-and-back to Northgate Peaks Overlook. I’d had a few tantalizing glimpses of Zion’s treasures from the road, but this was my first real peek at the famous architecture. #NotBad

And since my crowd avoidance strategy was keeping me out of the main canyon until Monday, I expected the views would only get better.