Tag Archives: Kolob Zion

Canyoneering Trip Report: Kolob Creek, 9/8/2011

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

Descended Kolob Creek last Thursday with Carol Petrelli, Heather McIlvenna, Kev Swanson and Dan Ransom… Releases from Kolob Reservoir: They are alternating weeks of zero release and 3.5 cfs release. This was a week of zero release. Looked like about 1 cfs under the bridge, was about 1/2 cfs at the first rappel. Tame as far as waterflow. The water was clear and cold, of course. Most of us were comfy in 4/3 wetsuit with some booster type stuff. Most anchors in good shape. There are new bolts since last time I was in there (which was a couple of years ago). The chilliness convinced us to stay down in Springdale, so we got a little bit of a late start. Left the West Rim TH at 8:30, first rap at 10:00. Finished the last rappel about 1:00, to the MIA about 5 pm, up to the road in an hour and a half, another hour to the car. 11 hours total at a casual pace. A wonderful canyon. Nice that the irrigation schedule allows us to get in there this year, this early. For some good photos from our day, check out Dan Ransom’s pictorial trip report. Tom

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Trails in Kolob Canyons Closed, Threatened by Wildfire

Posted on September 2, 2011 by

Trails in the Kolob Canyon Section of Zion National Closed Due to Wildfire Date: September 1, 2011  Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811  All trails in the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park have been closed due to threats from a wildfire in the area. Kolob Canyons is the northern section of the park and is located just off I-15 approximately 15 miles south of Cedar City, UT. This precautionary closure includes all the trails in that area and others that lead into it. The decision to close the trails was made to ensure the safety of hikers that may be using or planning to use the trails. Trails that are closed at this time include the LaVerkin Creek Trail, Hop Valley Trail and the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. The Toquerville Falls Fire is located on Black Ridge near Toquerville Falls, on Bureau of Land Management lands, north of Toquerville, Utah. The lightning caused fire is currently estimated at 150 acres and is burning in a north/northeastern direction toward the park. The fire is being pushed by gusty winds up to 40mph. Due to its remote location, the fire is being suppressed using aerial resources at this time including three helicopters … Continue reading →

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Hiking Off the Beaten Path: South Fork of Taylor Creek

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

My little hometown of New Harmony, Utah sits quietly in the valley between the Pine Valley Mountains and the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. Thousands of motorists on I-15 speed by these magnificent places every day, unaware of the beauty lying just beyond the non-descript green hill that conceals the spectacular Kolob Fingers. Kolob, the not-so-ugly stepchild of Zion National Park, is the newest section of Zion, both politically and geologically. This allows for some pretty remote and magnificent places left relatively unexplored by most Zion visitors. In Kolob, I have many “favorite places”, but many lie far into the backcountry and call for a backpacking trip! Still, the charm of Kolob is you don’t have to go far to explore a spectacular canyon or panorama. A quick jog away from the road can be just as rewarding as a 4-day backpacking trip. The South Fork of Taylor Creek is a delightful little 2-hour hike back into one of Kolob’s deep, red finger canyons. South Fork is a “route”, not a trail, and thus isn’t found in most mainstream guidebooks. To find this “off the beaten path” exploration, travel to the tightest curve of the Kolob Canyons road. … Continue reading →

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