Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LaVerkinCreek/KolobArchTrails
★
La Verkin Creek and its tributaries are responsible
for the magnificent canyons cut into the red Navajo sandstone in this section of the
park. This hike passes through dry sagebrush flats and forests of conifers, cotton-
woods, and box elders; and where water seeps from the stone, hanging gardens
astonish the eye. This trail is popular and can be quite busy on summer weekends,
in spite of the almost 800-foot net elevation gain of the return trek. From the trail
head, you descend to Timber Creek, which is often dry by late summer. Follow it
upstream around the base of Shuntavi Butte, Timber Top Mountain, and Gregory
Butte; as you climb into a small open bowl, the views widen to the south and east.
Soon you'll come to an old corral built by Mormon pioneers, after which there is
a short side hike downstream to a series of pretty, though short, waterfalls. Fol-
low La Verkin Creek upstream along the north bank, with Gregory Butte towering
overhead on your left and Neagle Ridge jutting up on the right.
When you reach the turnoff to the Kolob Arch Viewpoint, turn left along a tiny
tributary with some steep ups and downs on rocky footing for about .5 mile. Then
look up—Kolob Arch soars high overhead about .25 mile away. One of the largest
arches in the world, it measures over 300 feet wide.
Caution:
Going beyond the
viewpoint is not recommended, due to the instability of the slopes. Back on the
main trail a short way upstream, cross over to Beatty Spring, the official end of this
trail, after which you'll find the junction with
Hop Valley Trail
(heading south-
east). You've come about 7 miles and descended to 5,200 feet of elevation. Further
exploration upstream takes you to Beartrap Canyon and then up Willis Creek, an-
other 4.5 miles with a further elevation loss of just under 200 feet.
Some people choose to camp on this hike. You can camp at La Verkin Creek, if
you have a permit and have been assigned a campsite at the visitor center. See “Ko-
lob Plateau Area” map in chapter 3.
14 miles RT. Moderate heading east, strenuous returning west. Access: Kolob Canyons Rd., at Lee
Pass.
TheNarrows
★★★
★★★
Exploring the Narrows involves wading along the bottom of the
North Fork of the Virgin River, through a spectacular 1,000-foot-deep chasm that
is less than 20 feet wide in spots. Passing fancifully sculptured sandstone arches,
hanging gardens, and waterfalls, this hike is recommended for those who are up
to fighting sometimes-strong currents. If you want just a taste of the Narrows, walk
and wade in from the other end, from the
Riverside Walk
(listed earlier in this
chapter).
The full trip through the Narrows involves a long day or preferably a 2-day trek,
and entails arranging a ride to the trail head and then catching a park shuttle at
