zionsky
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2018
- Messages
- 746
Last month, I spent a few days in the Zion area and am already looking forward to my fall trip.
My trip last October had all kinds of weather (rain, snow, heat, and cold) but this time the weather was great. Springdale was its usual bustling self and the glamping and RV sites have started to pop up everywhere!! Fortunately for me, the backcountry was empty.
South Guardian remains my top backcountry goal but some of the route still had snow this time so it will have to wait a little longer, however, I was able to successfully tackle some other peaks I had been wanting to attempt for some time.
The first day I wanted to get the legs and lungs prepared so I headed down to Canaan Mountain. I had been up squirrel canyon last fall when I did the beehive and was not looking forward to hiking on the sand but I wanted to see the water canyon arch. The hoodoo and rock formations are so impressive in this area. I was the only car in the parking when I got there and only saw one other person the entire day. The hike up squirrel canyon is very pleasant and the slickrock stroll once you top out is quite scenic but the hike to the arch itself is quite sandy. I enjoyed the views but with so much of this hike in the sand and temps reaching 80, I was starting to get tired so I cancelled some planned exploring thru the hoodoos to conserve some energy.
Even after doing it, it's still hard to believe there is a class 3 route up the left side of the beehive
After I got back home, I read where there were two separate rescues in the same area just a few days prior. Apparently two different groups got lost and could not find there way off the mountain.
The next day I went to east zion to tackle G2 (peak 6602) This one has been on my “to do” list for awhile and I even attempted it last fall before the rain forced me to abort. Weather was perfect this time. The initial climb out of Gifford gets the heart and lungs pumping.
The first view of G2 in the distance (back right). The decent into hepworth wash provides much needed recovery time. 
The climb up to the second saddle is on very loose rock and progress is slow.
Reaching the saddle, I'm hoping I'm almost there. Unfortunately, there is still quite a bit of vertical left.
The views on top are some of the best in the park.
The sun came out on the return and it got warm real fast. That final climb was an energy killer.
All downhill from here
As I returned to my car, there was an active rescue on the canyon overlook trail. A gentleman apparently fell 20-30 feet just above where the trail starts. Like me, he appeared to sustain a leg injury but was in good spirits as they loaded him into the ambulance. I was stuck in the small parking lot as everything was shut down so I scanned the group of SAR personnel and once the event was over, I walked up to one who looked familiar. Sure enough, he remembered me and we had a nice chat. A couple others in the group who also assisted in my rescue came over and spoke. One even had some pics and a video of my evac. All in all, it was a great feeling to see and thank those guys again (and not need their help)
The next morning, I headed over to yant flats. It had been a few years since I was there and I just love exploring that area. I was very surprised to have the place all to my self on a perfect day.
Later in the afternoon, I went up the kolob terrace just to see what SGA looked like. There was some spotty snow in the flats so I imagined even more down in the shady areas of the left fork. Alas, it will have to wait a little longer.
West northgate peak had plenty of snow on the northern ascent route so I scampered up the easier east northgate peak. Great views into the kolob terrace region of the park.
The last day, I tackled another one that's been on my list for awhile, mountain of the sun.
I can see why this one route has become very popular. It has it all. Slickrock washes, petroglyphs, dirty scrambles, fun frictioning, easy climbing, and wonderful views.
I enjoyed it so much that I can see myself returning to do it again!
My trip last October had all kinds of weather (rain, snow, heat, and cold) but this time the weather was great. Springdale was its usual bustling self and the glamping and RV sites have started to pop up everywhere!! Fortunately for me, the backcountry was empty.
South Guardian remains my top backcountry goal but some of the route still had snow this time so it will have to wait a little longer, however, I was able to successfully tackle some other peaks I had been wanting to attempt for some time.
The first day I wanted to get the legs and lungs prepared so I headed down to Canaan Mountain. I had been up squirrel canyon last fall when I did the beehive and was not looking forward to hiking on the sand but I wanted to see the water canyon arch. The hoodoo and rock formations are so impressive in this area. I was the only car in the parking when I got there and only saw one other person the entire day. The hike up squirrel canyon is very pleasant and the slickrock stroll once you top out is quite scenic but the hike to the arch itself is quite sandy. I enjoyed the views but with so much of this hike in the sand and temps reaching 80, I was starting to get tired so I cancelled some planned exploring thru the hoodoos to conserve some energy.
Even after doing it, it's still hard to believe there is a class 3 route up the left side of the beehive
After I got back home, I read where there were two separate rescues in the same area just a few days prior. Apparently two different groups got lost and could not find there way off the mountain.
The next day I went to east zion to tackle G2 (peak 6602) This one has been on my “to do” list for awhile and I even attempted it last fall before the rain forced me to abort. Weather was perfect this time. The initial climb out of Gifford gets the heart and lungs pumping.
The first view of G2 in the distance (back right). The decent into hepworth wash provides much needed recovery time. The climb up to the second saddle is on very loose rock and progress is slow.
Reaching the saddle, I'm hoping I'm almost there. Unfortunately, there is still quite a bit of vertical left.The views on top are some of the best in the park.
The sun came out on the return and it got warm real fast. That final climb was an energy killer.
All downhill from here
As I returned to my car, there was an active rescue on the canyon overlook trail. A gentleman apparently fell 20-30 feet just above where the trail starts. Like me, he appeared to sustain a leg injury but was in good spirits as they loaded him into the ambulance. I was stuck in the small parking lot as everything was shut down so I scanned the group of SAR personnel and once the event was over, I walked up to one who looked familiar. Sure enough, he remembered me and we had a nice chat. A couple others in the group who also assisted in my rescue came over and spoke. One even had some pics and a video of my evac. All in all, it was a great feeling to see and thank those guys again (and not need their help)
The next morning, I headed over to yant flats. It had been a few years since I was there and I just love exploring that area. I was very surprised to have the place all to my self on a perfect day.
Later in the afternoon, I went up the kolob terrace just to see what SGA looked like. There was some spotty snow in the flats so I imagined even more down in the shady areas of the left fork. Alas, it will have to wait a little longer.
West northgate peak had plenty of snow on the northern ascent route so I scampered up the easier east northgate peak. Great views into the kolob terrace region of the park.
The last day, I tackled another one that's been on my list for awhile, mountain of the sun.
I can see why this one route has become very popular. It has it all. Slickrock washes, petroglyphs, dirty scrambles, fun frictioning, easy climbing, and wonderful views.
I enjoyed it so much that I can see myself returning to do it again!
