#checkerboardmesa

Hiking Southern Utah: Many Pools" Photo by Candice ReedHiking Southern Utah: Many PoolsDay hike: YesDistance: It is 2 miles to the end of the Many Pools route and back, but if you continue to the East Rim it is a 4.4 mile round-trip.Average hiking time: Plan on 2 hours to get to the end of the Many Pools route and back and 6 hours to East Rim and back.Permits: Not required.Difficulty: The route is moderate with a gentle uphill climb to the alcove, but plan for a strenuous hike if you continue to the East Rim.Trailhead: 0.9 miles east of Zion's smaller tunnel.Trail access: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (State Route 9) is open year-round, and the route begins right off the highway.Starting elevation: 5,391 feetHighest elevation: 6,833 feetTrekking above the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is my husband’s favorite day-hike destination, but until recently, we had failed to find a path that was free of tourists or that was remote but didn’t trigger my trail terrors.Many Pools trail, a little past the second tunnel, is our new easy, above-the-park day hike in Zion.A few days after Christmas, my husband, our son, and his girlfriend, who were visiting from Canada, decided to hike away from the holiday crowds who stopped traffic to snap photos of mule deer. We packed some trail mix, water, and a bottle of wine in our packs and drove to the pullout near the second drainage on the north side of the highway about 0.8 miles after the smaller tunnel. We walked carefully up the road about 150 yards and dropped down into a sandy bowl on the north side of SR-9.There is a trail for a short distance, and then the sand turns into large flat stones that you can pick and choose to walk on, depending on your sense of balance. It didn’t talk long for me to realize that we were going to rise above the large monoliths that towered over us near the car; in fact, we would eventually walk up to over 6,800 feet.A short distance off the road, filled pools carved into the rocks started to appear, most of them frozen solid. My son, who is 30, couldn’t help turning back into a little boy and trying to break through the ice with his shoe. We left him more than a few times testing his luck on the ice.Ponderosa Pines and Juniper trees, twisted by the wind are a good backdrop to the reds and whites ribboned through the rocks that we walked over. The sun was hot and we had to wrap our jackets around our waists as we hiked. After about a mile the trail grew steeper, more and more manzanitas, prickly pear cactus and pinyon pines dotted the landscape. More than a few times I grabbed onto the rocks with my hands to pull myself up as the hoodoos looked down on me. I tried not to look back until I was on steadier ground.After about an hour we sent out a scout --- my son --- to see if we wanted to continue toward the East Rim. The trail was definitely steeper and there would be much bushwhacking if we were to continue, so we voted to head back to an alcove we had passed earlier in the hike and save the strenuous trek for another day.Standing on top of the trail, we paused to take photos of the slickrocks that looked like smaller versions of Checkerboard Mesa and the mountains off in the horizon which were capped in snow.The group took two different paths down, which is part of the fun when you hike on the slickrocks, being that there really is no trail.Arriving at the alcove, a large sandstone bowl, we realized it was the perfect place to kick-back, have a snack and share the wine. We took more photos, laughed, sunned ourselves under the perfect blue sky, and marveled at the colors, the small waterfall, and the large pool of water that was only partially frozen.We stayed almost an hour in the alcove, only seeing one other hiker. When the wine was finished, so were we. We hiked the short distance, about 0.7 miles, back to the road where we climbed into the car, headed home, and passed multitudes of people taking pictures of mule deer.Candice Reed is the co-author of "Thank You for Firing Me; How to Catch the Next Wave of Success After You Lose Your Job." She has published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Reader, and many more. She lives in Springdale.Articles related to "Hiking Southern Utah: Many Pools"http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-wire-pass-narrows/http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-yellow-knolls-trail/http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-hidden-canyon-zion-national-park/..."Read the rest of story at link below Read the full article

Hiking Southern Utah: The East Rim Trail"Hiking Southern Utah: The East Rim TrailWritten by Bo Beck & Tanya Milligan The East Rim TrailSEE NOTICE BELOW FOR TRAIL UPDATESDay hike: Yes, but it can also be done, and is often enjoyed, like a backpack.Distance: 10 miles one way with the use of a shuttle or by hitchhiking, which is allowed within Zion's boundaries. It is a 20-mile round-trip without a shuttle.Average hiking time: Plan for a six-hour hike from the trailhead at the east entrance to the trail end at the Weeping Rock parking lot.Difficulty: Strenuous for a maintained and classic Zion National Park trail.Sun exposure: Full sun on most of the hike, but the start is a somewhat strenuous and sandy uphill slog with little shade. Bring plenty of water and begin hiking early in the day.Permits: These are not needed for a day hike, but if you plan to backpack, an overnight camping permit is required.Water availability: Stave Spring is an unreliable water source, and water from it must be treated before drinking. During wet years, there is an intermittent waterfall at Jolly Gulch.Trailhead: 150 yards west of the east entrance.Trail-End: Weeping Rock parking lot.Trail access: Usually, this trail is okay to hike from late March until early November, depending on snow and ice conditions.Elevation gain: 1,400 feet with a moderate steady climb and then a gradually steepening downhill descent of 2,400 feet.Peak: 6,700 feetDog-friendly: No⚠️Due to major rockfall, this trail does not connect with any trails in Zion Canyon.However, other aspects of the trials mentioned below are accessible from other locations.Please visit NPS.Gov to learn more about these trails.To Access This Hike You Must Start From The East Entrance Trailhead From Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.East Rim TrailThe East Rim Trail is said to be one of the most scenic, in all of Zion National Park, and is on many lists as one of the best hikes in Utah. With all the classic trail competition in Utah, like the Zion Narrows and Angels Landing, that is saying a great deal. This hike begins with a backdoor view of Checkerboard Mesa as it skirts Clear Creek for a short time and steadily and gently climbs through a juniper and pine forest. On top of the mesa, the scenery gets interesting as a spectacular view of Echo Canyon takes center stage. Echo Canyon is one of Zion's well-known slot canyons but technical skills, canyoneering gear, and a permit are required to explore its bowels. On the East Rim Trail, however, you will get a peek at it. Throughout much of the rest of the hike, the trail drops into Zion Canyon, where Zion's landmarks steal the show.This trek begins on the east side of the park and climbs over 1,400 feet to the rim. Towering pines and the elusive Echo Canyon, an impressive slot, bring a marked change of scenery about midway on this adventure. The downhill finish is spectacular, keeping an almost constant view of some of Zion's greatest landmarks, including Angels Landing, Organ, Great White Throne, and in the distance is Cathedral Mountain. From the parking lot at the trail’s end, look up to the top of historic Cable Mountain for a great perspective of the mesa the East Rim Trail descends from.East Rim TrailheadAfter positioning a vehicle or making shuttle arrangements, watch for the small "trailhead" sign along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, immediately west of the east entrance booth. From the first section of the hike, the view looking back toward the road frames the geological wonder Checkerboard Mesa. Its deeply etched crossbedding showcases the White Cliffs. Initially, the trail follows the intermittently flowing creek bed of Clear Creek, and the line where BLM land begins will be to the right, as well. The old wagon road trail, Winder Stock Trail, ascends gradually the next 5 miles through junipers, pinyon pines, shrubs, and some small ponderosa pines. Some places are sandy along the trail, but the steady climb to the top of the mesa is a moderate trek.Jolly GulchJolly Gulch is the first signed area the trail passes and is located 2.8 miles into the hike. It's a nice view down into a canyon, but when the water is flowing in Jolly Gulch the waterfall is magnificent. Layered rock is evident along much of this section of the trail.Stave SpringContinue the uphill climb to Stave Spring. The spring is not much more than a pipe in the ground during years of drought, but during wet years there are streams flowing about Stave Spring. Look for remnants (old posts) leftover from logging. This is the 5.7-mile mark. Another half-mile and there is a sign directing the way to finish the East Rim Trail and giving the mileage for other options at the top of the mesa. The turnoff to Deertrap and Cable Mountain is just past Stave Spring (5.8 miles from the trailhead) and it is signed. Check the NPS site for current conditions on this spring.Echo CanyonWith 4.3 miles left in the hike, the East Rim Trail begins to flatten. At the top of the mesa, the scenery gets impressive as the trail edges the incredible Echo Canyon slot canyon. To the west, the immense Cathedral Mountain looms. The view down into Echo Canyon is incredible and the Slickrock of East Zion is abundant here, where patterns on ancient twisted and uplifted sand dunes are seen. A steep descent now begins into what must be one of the most sensational sections of Zion. Once down and inside Echo Canyon, the trail becomes a charming, rock-lined path that winds around towering obstacles. This part of the trail displays the incomparable magnificence of Zion's geology. Smaller versions of one of Zion's most well-known landmarks, Checkerboard Mesa, which is seen at the first of the hike, are now visible on smaller crossbedded cliffs. The scenery is impressive as fossilized sand dunes glitter in the sun and giant monoliths are seen in every direction.Downhill trek on a paved trailThe East Rim and Observation Point Trails now combine with the lower portion of the Observation Point Trail. Less than a half-mile farther is the narrow passageway through Echo Canyon and the charming “Echo Canyon Walkway,” followed by a steady downhill hike into Zion Canyon.Stave Spring37 15.672N112 54.288WElevation 6,515 ft.Articles related to "Hiking Southern Uth: The East Rim Trail"http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-tuacahn-saddle/http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-shivwits-arch/http://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-eagle-crags/..."Read the rest of story at link below Read the full article