La Verkin Creek, Kolob Canyons

Nick

-
.
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
12,949
August 2011

I thought my trip to Salt Creek was likely my last to the desert until the fall but I had an opportunity arise to meet some new friends and do some hiking in Zion National Park so I jumped at it. I haven't spent much time in and around Zion, much like the other National Parks the dog restrictions have often kept me away. That and the crowds, what a mad house it can be. But there are a few things on my bucket list down there that I had been waiting for the right time to see. So when a slot opened up on Paul's Subway permit, I was all over it.

The Subway portion of the trip was for Sunday so I decided to drive down on Friday and knock out another item on my to-do list, Kolob Canyons. I tried to round up some company but it didn't come together so I would be doing this solo. I drove down from Salt Lake early Friday morning and arrived at the Kolob visitor center a little after 11am. I had reserved site #5 online since it was the only spot left but I was able to switch to something a little further in once I was there. After getting the usual park service chat I was off to the trailhead and on my way to my new campsite, #9.

The day started out totally overcast so I left my long lens on and tried to focus the picture taking to the smaller things along the trail.
5858021979_cb9a486c3e_z.jpg


Passing by the various Kolob Canyons.
5858579862_0f7d0ee10b_z.jpg


The wild flowers were out of control, I took pictures of a handful but didn't come close to getting all of the different types. Even the prickly pear were starting to bloom! It made for a delightful 2 hours on the 1000 foot/4.5 mile descent to La Verkin Creek.
5858025017_29cc5110c5_z.jpg


There were plenty of Sego Lily along the trail. This is the Utah state flower but I rarely ever see them.
5854647798_9830beec47_z.jpg


And this is one of my favorite desert flowers, it's called Rusby's Globemallow. It's not really the most interesting flower, it's probably my favorite because of the color and the mass quantities it often comes in.
5854102075_2b03420c90_z.jpg


Another cool one, this is called Goatsbeard Tragopogon Dubius
5854098677_b65fb926f4_z.jpg


I don't know the names of these two.
5854655836_0e17d15959_b.jpg


5854104049_7da438bba8_z.jpg


It's amazing how much life there is when you focus on it. When I tell people I'm going camping in the desert, I get the feeling that people envision a dry, desolate place with tumble weed blowing around. It just couldn't be further from the truth. Other things I saw along the first stretch of trail included several Yellow-bellied Marmots, tons of squirrels, birds and lizards.

5854648490_c39fe0e4bf_z.jpg


It seems I see about 100 lizards per mile on a hot day like this. This guy stood out though, it's pretty obvious that he lost a huge chunk of tail not too long ago but he didn't learn his lesson. He stood on this rock and gave me his defensive show by pumping his chest up and down.
5854098005_4cf552dbb1_z.jpg


By the time I made it the 4.5 miles to La Verkin Creek, the sun had come out and it was now a very beautiful day. I stopped here to take a break before continuing up the canyon.
5858032339_702bee8a47_z.jpg


Just beyond that point the trail passes by the first campsite along La Verkin Creek, #4. Sites 1 and 2 are over in Timber Creek and site 3 is all the way at the top of the ridge between the two canyons. Don't trust the National Geographic map that shows site 3 down by La Verkin Creek! It's more than a mile away and at least a few hundred feet in elevation.
5855732540_5c47549ee6_z.jpg


Gregory Butte
5854690830_b0f38c394f_z.jpg


About 6.5 miles from the trailhead I reached the junction for Campsite #9. I planned to drop my overnight gear and then day hike from here. Unfortunately, camp #9 is on the other side of the river and finding a crossing with the high spring runoff was a challenge. I walked upstream a few hundred feet and found a log that crossed halfway and then I was able to hop on rocks the rest.
5854132323_5b3cb8acc7_z.jpg


I was only in camp for a few minutes when I heard a little crackle behind me. I turned around and saw this large wild turkey just 15-20 feet away at the perimeter of my camp.
5854682654_76d388150c_z.jpg


Once I had stopped moving, the flies moved in with force. I had applied some deet which got rid of the nasty grey biting flies but the big black/green ones were just annoying. I hurried and setup my tent for shelter and took a little siesta before heading out on my day hike. I was back on the trail around 5:00 and on my way up canyon to see Bear Trap Falls. After a little more than a half mile, the trail crosses the stream, it was really tough to avoid getting wet here.
5854140335_dd495a6259_z.jpg


Shortly beyond that crossing the trail branches off to Hop Valley, beyond there the trail is called the Willis Creek Trail even though it's still following La Verkin Creek for a while longer. There are still a few more designated campsites, 15, 16 and 17, but the trail in general receives much less traffic. It is more rugged, involves a bit of bush whacking and has a lot of stream crossings. At the first one I realized it was pointless to try to keep my boots dry so I started walking through. The river was silty from the high runoff so you couldn't see the bottom which made for an extra challenge. I really wish I had brought my trekking poles on this hike.
5858587344_2c14a9b174_z.jpg


The canyon started to feel more like a high mountain environment the higher I went.
5858037101_9f8650a7a2_z.jpg


5858038971_08d72acb9d_b.jpg


After what seemed like forever I finally reached campsite #17 and Bear Trap Canyon. I had it in my mind that it was only going to be 1-1.5 miles to Bear Trap but it turned out to be 2.25 from Campsite 9.
5854696360_a37a809666_z.jpg


Bear Trap is a very beautiful but short canyon in the lower end.
5854733160_f5fb6719eb_z.jpg


And my prize, Bear Trap Falls!
5854178865_075c6597d9_z.jpg


A seep near the falls.
5854176993_872126c9d3_z.jpg


5854727856_621d8e35a0_z.jpg


5854173703_d8f04dc013_z.jpg


It was after 7 now so I only spent about 15 minutes at the falls before packing up and heading back down canyon. I made better time going down since I wasn't looking for Bear Trap but it was still slow going because of the ruggedness of the canyon and the deep crossings. I was really hoping to have time to hike up to Kolob Arch on the way back but it was almost dark and I still had to pump water and get back to camp. There wasn't much of a sunset that night but I took a few more pictures of the canyon in the evening light.
5858020143_a0acf70f52_b.jpg


I was pretty exhausted when I got back to camp. It had been a 12 mile day and I was ready for a little rest. Usually when I'm solo I end up diving into bed soon after dark but I ended up staying up later than usual. It was a very nice experience to be out there all alone. When I'm soloing with my dog, Nikita, I think she actually puts me a little on edge because she is so hell bent on protecting me from every little sounds in the forest. But that night I just sat there in my campsite sipping on my flask, listening to music, even singing along a bit until nearly midnight. It was a really wonderful experience.

The next morning I slept in a bit. My plan for the morning was to make the quick hike up to Kolob Arch and then hike very quickly back to my truck so that I could make it into Zion by 1pm to meet some friends and go canyoneering in Keyhole Canyon.
5854054113_ffbf6ef22d_z.jpg


It was a beautiful morning in the forest around my site. I took my time having breakfast and getting ready. At one point I looked over my shoulder and there was a young deer standing not more than 50 feet away from me. It stayed long enough for me to swap lenses on my camera. Another unique experience I doubt would have happened if I had had company.
5854609040_89da09a0f2_z.jpg


Unfortunately, I kind of lost track of time and by the time I was ready to hike to Kolob Arch I realized I just didn't have the time if I wanted to get back to Zion in time to do Keyhole Canyon. I doubt many folks hike all the way down to La Verkin Creek without a visit to Kolob Arch but I'm one of them. But at least I got to see Bear Trap Falls, that was definitely a higher priority for me.

I tried to book it back to the truck but it's a pretty strenuous 6.5 miles with 1000 feet to climb. This shot is about halfway back in Timber Creek.
5854059259_f389d185a1_z.jpg


The last mile is the hardest part, I would really hate to do this in the middle of the afternoon on an even hotter day. The views of the Kolob Canyons sweetened the deal though.
5854618350_51e7c5892c_z.jpg


Looking back down the trail towards Timber Creek. La Verkin Creek is on the other side of the distant cliff line.
5854616474_838769d2df_z.jpg


I finally made it back to the trailhead about 40 minutes later than I had planned. I still had enough time to make it to Zion for Keyhole but I was toast. Almost 20 miles of backpacking in 24 hours coupled with the hot 1000 foot ascent had taken it out of me and I needed a bit of downtime before embarking on another hike. So with much regret I had to back out of doing Keyhole. Instead I went into Hurricane, grabbed some lunch and eventually made my way into Zion to my campsite for the night. Check out my trip report for the next days hike through The Subway here: http://backcountrypost.com/forum/threads/the-subway-zion-national-park.588/
 
Last edited:
Nick, what would be the best time to see Beartrap Falls?
Just reserved a site for next Thursday, so I can see Beartrap Falls and Kolob Arch for sunrise the next morning.
Originally I wanted to do the Zion Traverse mid June, but with my Patellar tendon problems that are getting a bit worse the last couple of weeks I need to reduce my backpacking trips for shorter trips for a while.
Would you also bring wading boots?
 
I did it in June. I think it would be great anytime that it isn't too cold or flooding. Climbing out will be hot this time of year, take your time and pack plenty of water out of camp for the hike out. A cold beverage at the trailhead will be a good thing to have available.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Ugly A Return to La Verkin Creek and Kolob Backpacking 4
Nick La Verkin Creek to Kolob Reservoir Trip Planning 4
rinats Canyonlands/Needles: Salt Creek to Chesler Park Trip Planning 6
shredhiker Slough Creek mid June? Trip Planning 11
Spud Salt Creek Canyon question Trip Planning 11
BobFink Mirror Plateau via Pelican Valley and Pelican Creek, July / August 2023 Backpacking 12
Janice Such a GRAND Canyon - Deer Creek / Tapeats / Thunder River Backpacking 21
Jackson Little Rock Creek Backpacking 5
scatman Yellowstone's Thorofare, Headwaters of Thorofare Creek, Majo Pass, Younts Peak, Bob's Canyon, and Cub Creek - August 9, 2023 - Days 7 through 10 Backpacking 34
scatman Yellowstone's Thorofare, Headwaters of Thorofare Creek, Majo Pass, Younts Peak, Bob's Canyon, and Cub Creek - August 9, 2023 - Days 1 through 6 Backpacking 56
J South Crandall Creek and the Hoodoos Wyoming and Yellowstone? Trip Planning 3
CodyL Maple Creek or Duck Creek Drainages-YNP Trip Planning 0
J Pacific Creek or North Buffalo Fork? Teton Wilderness, Thorofare ,etc. Trip Planning 10
I Rescue Creek - Yellowstone National Park - June 3, 2023 Backpacking 15
Dreamer Slough Creek - YNP - 6/5-7/23 Backpacking 3
shredhiker Blacktail Creek June 2023 Backpacking 4
Dreamer Rescue Creek -YNP - 6/3-5/23 Backpacking 3
shredhiker Slough Creek May 2023 Backpacking 11
scatman Rescue Creek - Yellowstone National Park - June 3, 2023 Backpacking 56
Gretchen Millward Trachyte Creek via Woodruff Canyon, April 2023 Backpacking 9
I Slough Creek - Yellowstone June 5 & 6 Meet Up (Members Only) 19
scatman City Creek Loop - April 23, 2023 Hiking & Camping 8
F Thorofare/South Boundary/Wolverine Creek Trip Planning 2
scatman Rescue Creek - Yellowstone National Park Meet Up (Members Only) 19
Janice When might road to Salt Creek TH be ok? Trip Planning 23
BobFink Yellowstone South Entrance to Fox Creek via Basin Creek Cutoff - Labor Day 2022 Trip Reports 4
Janice Professor Creek / Mary Jane Canyon - mid April? Trip Planning 0
scatman North Ridge of City Creek Canyon - February 4, 2023 Hiking & Camping 17
MikeP Exploring/Calf Creek Trip Planning 28
scatman South Ridge of City Creek Canyon - January 28, 2023 Hiking & Camping 4
travel2walk Gros Ventre Wilderness: Granite Creek, West Fork Crystal Creek, Crystal Creek, & Swift Creek - June 2021 Backpacking 8
slieb Lower Muddy Creek in Winter? Trip Planning 7
scatman A Yellowstone Love Story (Bog Creek Euphoria) - September 12, 2022 Backpacking 28
NorthwestWanderer Backpacking Grand Teton National Park : Fossil Pass,Fox Creek Pass,Indian Lake,Alaska Basin,Hurricane Pass,Ice Floe Lake,& Snowdrift Lake Backpacking 19
TractorDoc Yellowstone's Wrangler Lake, Bog Creek, Joseph's Coat Springs, Broad Creek, Wapiti Lake, Hot Springs Basin, and Pelican Valley. The Second Half. Backpacking 15
TractorDoc Yellowstone's Wrangler Lake, Bog Creek, Joseph's Coat Springs, Broad Creek, Wapiti Lake, Hot Springs Basin, and Pelican Valley. Part One of Two. Backpacking 61
scatman Pacific Creek, Moss Lake and Gravel Lake - Teton Wilderness - October 7, 2022 Backpacking 32
TractorDoc Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, Trout Creek, Beach Lake, and Arnica Creek Meadows. September 11, 2022. Hiking & Camping 7
scatman Trout Creek and the Headwaters of Alum Creek - September 11, 2022 Hiking & Camping 17
R Wind River Range: Green River Lakes/Clarks Trail/Porcupine Creek Trail Trip Planning 3
Janice Salt Creek plus... Trip Planning 17
Gretchen Millward Trachyte Creek, April – May 2022 Backpacking 3
XID_AZ Kanab Creek Wilderness - Sowats Canyon - Mountain Sheep Spring Trip Planning 6
balzaccom McGee Creek--Fire (smoke) Rain, Winded and rockslides... Trip Reports 0
John Goering Tobacco Root Mountains South Meadow Creek Off Road 1
SteveR Bull Creek Hills, Alberta Hiking & Camping 5
T Salt Creek this weekend Trip Planning 1
TeamJenkins17 Red Tops/Needle Creek Drainage Info Trip Planning 0
M Kannah Creek Basin loop, Grand Junction CO Backpacking 6
WhozWutz Montezuma Creek Rd Trip Planning 1

Similar threads

Back
Top