Jeff and I decided last month that we would like to hike the Kolob Canyons--without the children.
And so we did.
The Kolob Canyons are the Northwestern portion of Zion National Park. Judging from the quality of the ranger staff at the visitors center, this is a seldom utilized portion of the park. If by any chance, this blog happens to come across the desk of Ken Salazar or one of his Interior deputies, you may want to look into a staff change. It would greatly improve the reputation of this area.
Staffing issues, aside. It is a pretty interesting place to spend the weekend. We tried to find a campsite on Friday night, but everything was full so we hiked the Taylor Creek Trail. It was just an easy 5 mile loop. We actually crossed Taylor Creek 115 times over the course of 5 miles. Yeah, we counted on the way back because it started to feel like 500 times. The trail was beautiful. I'm taking a photography class and so it took us forever to get up the trail because I kept stopping to practice my manual settings. I love photography, but sometimes thinking about aperture vs. shutter speed gives me a headache. It just doesn't come naturally yet, so I have to think about every little detail.
It's always interesting to take a break from the kids because when we leave I think that I won't even let myself think about all of their quirks for a couple of days--and then I find myself hiking along thinking, "boy, Jack would love to see that huge lizard or hold that neat frog." You see stuff from such a different perspective as a parent--and you can't leave it behind. It's like a shadow that constantly follows you. It is nice, however, to actually go somewhere and know that you won't have to stop for a thousand breaks. And it is a huge relief to know that neither Jeff or I are going to have an "accident" that will call for a complete change of clothes and an hour of bawling. Shoot, I didn't even cry on this hike--trust me, sometimes I even amaze myself.
We reserved Campsite #6 on the LaVerkin Creek Trail for Saturday night. We should have asked why nobody wanted that site, but headed out early on Saturday morning. The hike the night before was so pretty we really expected the same kind of scenery on Saturday, but this trail was very different. The map at the trailhead stated that the hike to the campsite was 6 miles with an elevation gain of 800 feet. I remarked to Jeff that the sign stated "strenuous"--I reminded him that I don't care for hikes that have to be measured by the number of times I cry on the trip. He stated that it was only marked "strenuous" because of the distance to the end of the canyon.
Tip of the Year: If the trail is marked "strenuous" it is actually "strenuous" because it is rocky, steep, full of raging rivers, deep sand and a thousand ant hills. Distance doesn't have ANYTHING to do with it. Oh, and that 800 feet, it's marked from the top of the trailhead straight down to the campsite. It doesn't tell you that you will climb 800 feet and descend 800 feet SEVERAL times. You really should get a Topo map. Really you should...
The hike to our campsite can be described by saying (with the longest sentence ever) that we descended down a cliff face, climbed up the other side and followed the steep ridgeline for over a mile then we skidded down the cliff face for another mile. Then we hiked through a barren wasteland filled with flooded out trees, gigantic squirrels (as big as cats), and creosote bush. Next we followed around another set of cliffs, through Timber Creek a couple of times and then down another cliff face for another mile. For the record, I was one unhappy camper at mile five. Picture: "Put your head down and power through..." By the time we got to campsite #5, I finally gave out and sat down on a rock. We ate some lunch and talked to some other hikers on their way out.
Our view for lunch. This was definitely the best part of the trail.
It was at this point that we discovered that "Bear Trap Falls" one of the premier destinations (and the one thing we really wanted to see) was only accessible by hiking for over a mile in the river (LaVerkin Creek). LaVerkin Creek was raging. We decided then that we were not going to walk in the river and around snowdrifts to see the falls. So after lunch we headed to our campsite--it wasn't too much further except to say that you had to cross the river to get to it.
Okay, so this picture doesn't do it justice. This picture isn't even close.
And here's the part that I hope Ken Salazar is reading: Would it have been too much to ask of the ranger staff to mention that you had to cross a knee deep, fast moving river to actually camp IN THE CAMPSITE?
Fortunately, I still had my whits about me--so I didn't even have a breakdown--I just said that we should go get a hotel room in Cedar City. And then we hiked out--or should I say--We hiked UP out of the canyon. And on the way out, Jeff said, "I am in the worst shape of my life." And the whole time I was thinking about how I am probably in better shape than ever--which is why we can probably do this kind of thing without tears. So basically, I can never let Jeff get back into shape or I will have to suffer. Hum. Something to think about...
Still love you, buddy. Even though you tried to push me off of Angel's Landing... ha.ha.ha.
Back at the car--six hours of hard hiking and twelve miles later. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the only part I forgot to put sunscreen on was on that deep v-necked part of my chest. What an idiot!
Tired. Doggies.
Postscript: We really did have a fun weekend. A big thanks to Aunt Carrie for giving our children probably the best couple of days of their whole lives. Lachlan was thoroughly disgusted to see me when they arrived home. She wouldn't even make eye contact. Jack just burst into tears. It's okay. I always cry when I have to come home to you after spending the weekend with Carrie, too. I know the feeling.
Jack bawling because he got his leg stuck in a hanger.
Screaming because of the "pain."
Don't worry son, I'll make sure mom gets those hangers up off of the ground.
The time from my first official bike race. It's about 39 minutes slower than I wanted, but it was uphill in a 20mph headwind for the last 8 miles. I finished. Goal accomplished.
Batman. "Flying" off of the front steps. The wings are on his arms. If he swishes them back and forth "they will cut you." Consider yourself warned.
"Whoa, mom. You're feekin' me out." He's really into saying the word "freaking". Don't judge me.
Lachlan at the entrance of the "chicken palace".
If we ever face foreclosure we can live in this--I'm pretty sure we can fit comfortably.
I attended the groundbreaking for the new College of Agriculture building on the Utah State University campus. It was kind of a neat moment for me. I took a picture so that I could pay tribute to the old Alma Mater. The new building will stand where the old Merrill Library stood.
