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Our trip was split into two parts. Ron started the first two days with an overnight trip to the Kolob Arch from the Lava Point Road in northwestern Zion National Park. We obtained a Backcountry permit from the Visitor's Center and Wednesday morning Jon Inskeep, Tom Moumblow and Ron took a twelve mile round-trip backpack on the Hop Valley Trail to La Verkin Ck where we set up camp. That afternoon we went to look for nearby Kolob Arch. This Arch is one of the largest free standing arches in the world. Its span was conservatively measured at 290 to 310 feet in 1953 and in 1954 it was twice remeasured at 310 and 292 feet. Accurate measurement is difficult because the arch is 700 feet above the canyon floor. (Apparently, there is a claim that by some measurements the largest arch is in Arches NP, but this is subject to dispute.) We took the posted trail west from La Verkin Creek and when we arrived at the view point we spent more than 30 minutes climbing and looking for the arch. Due to a trick of late afternoon lighting it was nearly impossible to see. We returned the next day at mid day and the arch was well lit and easily visible. Thursday we also biked into Bear Trap Canyon with its high steep red rock narrows until our way was blocked by a 20 foot waterfall. It is virtually impassable from below (but easily rappelled from above on a hike which starts from the Willis Creek Trail). Thursday on our return the skies clouded over and lightning flashed in the south and west. We could see rain in the distance as a small tropical disturbance was passing through. On Friday morning, the remaining 10 trip participants rendezvoused at the Zion Park visitor center. This was to be the start of our three day backpack through the North Pork tributary of the Virgin river with a aide trip up the main Deep Creek channel. Unfortunately, the Park Service was not issuing overnight permits due to the storm danger - and we certainly did not want to be caught in The Narrows during a major storm. Ten of the participants (Ron, Jon and Tom were joined by Leora, Pat and Dean Acheson, Betty Stirratt Dave Ogden and Maris and Anna Valkass) decided to do a day hike from the bottom upstream through The Narrows and as far beyond as time would allow. Three more of the group decided to do a day hike up to Angel's Landing and then wait until Saturday to ace if they could get a permit for the entire North Fork trip. The day hikes went well and everyone was successful on the round trip up through The Narrows and then repeating the adventure going down. Everyone reached the interesting big Springs site above where The Narrows begin, and some made it a ways farther. The entire North Fork/Narrows trip can be done down-canyon |
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