Seldom Seen Anderson
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2012
- Messages
- 739
Man I feel bad for all you guys trapped in the frozen tundra of Northern Utah! I have been enjoying temps in the mid 50's the last couple of days and have capitalized! Two of my younger brothers and I decided to Run/Hike the Guacamole Trail that borders Zion National Park (a semi popular mountain bike trail) and possibly summit Crater Hill.
The views of the western face of the Towers and Temples of Virgin are the best part of this hike. They are truly spectacular and perhaps the best from this spot than any where else in the area.
The trail is well marked on top of plateau just above dalton wash. It is the plateau between coal pits wash and Virgin, UT. The trail combines long sections of slick rock with a pinyon/juniper forest. It is similar to little creek mesa and gooseberry. After a rainstorm the natural pools in the sandstone create some cool opportunity for reflection photography. I didnt have time to mess around too much.
After an hour of running, crater hill was soon recognizable and we decided to walk towards it, off the trail, across the plateau. After we arrived at the base it was much larger than anticipated. We quickly decided that even though with only about an hour left of light we would at least attempt to scramble to the top. Like hiking any cinder knoll it absolutely sucked! Sliding back for every step forward, several times we thought of turning around but after then all the agony we suffered up to that point would have been in vain. Eventually we made it to the top and the view was one of the best views I have ever beheld of Zion. Its rare to see the western face of the towers and temples of the Virgin unobstructed but from the top of crater hill...BAM...there was the view I have been looking for!
Unfortunately the sun was quickly setting and we still had to make descend the roughly 400 feet which was easier than I thought it would be fortunately. I am usually a clutz and imagined myself slipping and rolling down the entire hill similar to the scene in the movie Hot Rod if you have seen it!
We quickly found a social trail, and ran back as the sun was setting, stopping to take a couple sunset pictures on the way out!
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