Crazy Hiker Chick: 2013-05-19

I spent last week in sunny St. George and one of my favorite places to hike in the area is Snow Canyon State Park. I love red rock and I love desert! Did you know that there are 22 hiking trails in Snow Canyon? Some are pretty short and I'm not sure they qualify as a true hike such as the Sand Dunes and Pioneer Names. A couple of others are closed annually like Jenny's Canyon and Johnson Canyon, but that leaves a lot left to explore.

Butterfly Trail

Desert dwellers know that you don't hike in the middle of the afternoon. Hottest part of the day -DUH! So Tuesday morning bright and early I began my hike along Butterfly trail which gets its name from this split rock that looks just like the wings of a butterfly. The Butterfly trail to West Canyon overlook is about 2 miles.

My goal this morning was to find the lava tubes. I had heard about the tubes and how you could climb into them. What I found was not a tube but a giant lava cave. It was 10 times bigger than what I was expecting and climb down into it I did! It was definitely fun to explore the cave, but very stinky! I wasn't prepared with a flash light and I was really afraid of being attack by bats. I could smell bat guano (POOP) so I didn't venture in too deep. I highly recommend checking out the lava "tubes".

Looks small in my picture, but it was huge!

Looking up at the roof of the entrance to the cave. Didn't see bats, but I could smell them.

Always find color even in the desert.

After exploring the lava tubes I continued on to the West Canyon Overlook. The landscape is so beautiful! I never get tired of looking!

Looking over at Whiterocks. Another trail worth exploring!

Big beautiful sky!

I see and discover something new each time I hike this canyon. Here is a little arch. With a closeup shot.

I'm not sure what this plant is. I assume it is some type of Yucca. The big black bees sure like it!

This plant was over 6 feet tall.

I was so lucky to get this picture of a leopard lizard. They are huge and
this was the only one that didn't run and hide when I walked by.

I haven't hiked Snow Canyon in the summer but I imagine it is way too hot for my liking. We were lucky last week that the temperatures were only in the mid 80's thanks to a cold front moving through our state. I did do one other hike last week that I didn't like very much.

Three Ponds

a.k.a 3 Puddles

First mistake made was hiking this trail in the hottest time of day. City dwellers! You don't hike desert in the middle of the afternoon!!!! (I was with a group, but didn't speak up and protest) The majority of this trail is trudging through a sandy wash and it's 3.5 miles of sand filling your shoes. I experienced a tiny bit of heat exhaustion so I was not in the mood to take pictures (which isn't like me at all). Sorry didn't like this trail!

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

53.3

I love it when I discover a new hiking treasure! I found one this weekend in Kolob Canyons located just off I-15 a mere 17 miles south of Cedar City. The trail we took was called Middle Fork of Taylor Creek and led to Double Arch Alcove. Kolob is Morman lingo for the place where God lives. The name aptly applies to this extremely beautiful and often overlooked area of Zion National Park. Because Kolob Canyons is part of Zion NP you will be required to pay the entrance fee of $25 per car. The entrance fee is good for 7 days so make sure to include Kolob in your next trip to Zion!

Taylor Creek Trail

Taylor Creek trail is a serene walk through a beautiful forested area to a double arch alcove, a distance of 5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of only 450 feet. A perfect hike for the entire family! You will cross the small stream which is Taylor Creek numerous times (too many to count) and you will pass two historic cabins built in the 1930s before reaching the final destination of Double Arch Alcove. The scenery is breathtaking!

This picture shows how small Taylor Creek is.


One of two cabins you will pass on the trail.

Double Arch Alcove

Once you finish your hike be sure to take the Kolob Canyons scenic drive of only 10 miles roundtrip for more gorgeous canyon views.

Wildflower of the Week

This bright red wildflower is called Eaton's Penstemon and was scattered all along the Taylor Creek trail. I always thought this one was a honeysuckle, but not so. Eaton's Penstemon is a member of the snap dragon family.

CraZy Hiker Chicks Top 10 Reasons to Hike

#10 Hiking is an excellent cure for boredom.

#9 Hiking will strengthen your legs. You may even notice calf muscles.

#8 On hiking trails you meet the most friendly people. And even friendlier dogs.

#7 Winter hiking allows you to escape the inversion in the valley and breathe CLEAN, FRESH AIR!

#6 Hiking relieves stress, worry and anxiety - GUARANTEED!

#5 If you are lucky you will see a variety of wildlife on your hike. Keep your eyes open! And look around!

#4 Hiking will improve balance, coordination and bone density because you are walking on very uneven surfaces.

#3 Hiking increases feelings of well-being and lowers depression.

#2 Hiking gives a greater appreciation for the beauty of our natural world.