Tag Archives: Zion activities

Winter in Zion

Posted on November 29, 2010 by

So you’re thinking about visiting Zion in the winter? Some may think you’re crazy, but many people just like you have already discovered the secret. Many National Parks virtually shut down in the winter, but Zion offers unusual accessibility and opportunities for visitors of all backgrounds. Why come to Zion in the winter instead of another time of year? Winter in Zion offers solitude – something that is difficult to find nowadays in a Park that hosts 2.7 million visitors each year. Crisp, raw views of snow-capped peaks, summits, and temples accentuate this peaceful canyon, while ever-changing weather conditions continually create unique experiences for all! I have many fond memories of Zion in the winter. Most involve a sense of awe, and many involve a sense of cold! Here are a few of my winter favorites, as well as some winter tips for enjoying your visit. Zion and Christmas. These are two of my favorite things! But when you put them together, now that’s something amazing. As a child, I have warm memories of visiting Zion on many Christmas days. This would usually be a treat for us when Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. After all the presents had … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Seasonal, Seasons, Springdale, Weather & Climate, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Families, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Trip Reports, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Exploring Zion from the Inside Out

Posted on July 18, 2010 by

If you asked me a year ago how I would want to spend my days off, “rappelling down canyon walls” probably wouldn’t have been my first response. Being 45 years old and xxx pounds, rappelling into dark, wet canyons wasn’t the first thing in my mind. Yes, I was adventurous. And yes, I loved to find activities that blended body, mind, and spirit. And yes, I was always looking to explore new things. But going into places that require me to trust ropes and anchors with my life, where there is no option to turn around and go back, where I must work my way through canyon walls without being able to put my feet on the ground… no, that was not the way I hoped to spend my free time. Now at 20-something and 120 pounds, when I could make my body do just about anything, this type of adventure would have been just what I was looking for. But at 45…? Let me give you this warning: once you have tried canyoneering, you will keep looking for the next slot-shaped fix. In March of this year, when I was informed that I would be doing a 60-foot rappel … Continue reading →

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Midsummer Tubing in Zion Canyon

Posted on July 12, 2010 by

When the daytime highs are hitting the 100′s, an afternoon tubing session can be VITAL to group sanity. Floating in 65-degree water beneath shady boughs, you can relax, cool down, and get ready for that sunset hike up Angel’s Landing. If you’re interested in tubing while in Zion, check out our tubing page for all the details. Here are a few photos our man Daniel took on the river recently… Enjoy!

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