THE KOLOB TERRACE

The "Kolob Terrace" is a lesser-traveled section of Zion, accessible via the Kolob Terrace Road that heads north from the town of Virgin. The drive through the Terrace up to Lava Point offers a good sampling of wondrous views, from golden valleys to the majestic North and South Guardian Angels high in distance. The Kolob Terrace is home to one of the most popular canyons in Zion: the Left Fork of North Creek, aka. "the Subway." Primitive camping is available at Lava Point, the highest point in Zion National Park. Note that the upper sections of the Kolob Terrace Road are not plowed during winter, so this part of the park is typically inaccessible during the colder months.

THE WEST RIM TRAIL

Rating: fairly strenuous hiking/backpacking. The West Rim is one of the classic backcountry trails in Zion: a 16-mile long trail along the upper west plateau that connects Lava Point (the highest point in Zion) with the main canyon. Most visitors to Zion are familiar with the lower section of the West Rim Trail that leads to Angels Landing, but those willing to hike further will be treated to more wonderous views as the clever trail makes its way up to the canyon rim. From atop the plateau, continuous majestic views can be seen to the east and west. A top-down hike from Lava Point is time well spent! TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

NORTHGATE PEAKS TRAIL

Rating: short easy family hike. The Northgate Peaks Trail is a short easy family hike to a fairly interesting viewpoint in the Kolob Terrace section of Zion. This unsung trail is a fairly recent addition to the park's canon of official trails, and it offers a good change of pace and escape from the crowds of the main canyon. The view at the end of the trail is more "subtle" than views from the West Rim Trail or the main canyon, but it gives you a fascinating peek into the Great West Canyon. TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

LEFT FORK OF NORTH CREEK -- Overview

The Left Fork of North Creek (a.k.a "the Great West Canyon") is one of the most beautiful and most popular canyons in the backcountry of Zion. The most famous section of this canyon is known as "the Subway" -- an amazing half-mile stretch that resembles a tubular tunnel complete with tracks going down the middle. The Left Fork of North Creek has much diverse terrain, and as such, there are several different possible routes, ranging from simple hiking to strenuous technical canyoneering. OVERVIEW OF ROUTES...

THE SUBWAY TOP-DOWN ROUTE (via Russell Gulch)

Rating: strenuous hiking/semi-technical canyoneering. The Subway "top-down" route via Russell Gulch is the classic way to hike the Left Fork of North Creek. This route is a long strenuous day and it involves several short rappels, a few downclimbs, and several cold swims. Starting from the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, the hike goes down Russell Gulch to join the Left Fork. The highlight is the half-mile section of canyon known as The Subway. Once beyond the Subway section, the canyon opens up and it is a less-interesting hike out to the Left Fork Trailhead. This amazing hike is well worth the effort! Note: A backcountry permit is required for this hike. ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

THE SUBWAY FROM THE BOTTOM

Rating: strenuous day hike. If you want to avoid the swimming and rappelling of the top-down route, you can hike the Left Fork of North Creek from the bottom. Starting at the Left Fork Trailhead, it is a little over three-miles (one-way) to get to the Subway. Although not technical at all, this hike is still quite strenuous and the scenery is less stunning than the top-down route, but you still get to see the beautiful lower section of the Subway. Note: A backcountry permit is required for this hike. ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

DAS BOOT (Section of the Left Fork)

Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering. "Das Boot" is the humorously-named half-mile section of the Left Fork upstream from the standard Top-Down Route. Leaving the standard Russell Gulch/Subway hike, this approach heads more southeast to join with the Left Fork further upcanyon. This section of the Left Fork is almost subterranean and involves several swims, rappels, down-climbs, and exposure to year-round cold water and is not suitable for hikers. Wetsuits are recommended even in the blazing heat of summer. Note: A backcountry permit is required for this hike. ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

WILDCAT CANYON TRAIL

Rating: moderate hiking/backpacking route. The Wildcat Canyon Trail is a 6-mile stretch of trail that connects the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead with the West Rim Trail (just under Lava Point) and is part of the "Trans-Zion Hike" that allows backpackers to hike from the Kolob section all the way down to the main canyon. The Wildcat Canyon Trail is also the starting point for some of the area's highlights: the Northgate Peaks Trail, the Left Fork of North Creek (the Subway), and the Right Fork. While not considered a "destination hike," this trail wanders through some very beautiful scenery. TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

THE CONNECTOR TRAIL

Rating: moderate hiking/backpacking route. The Connector Trail is a 4-mile stretch of trail that connects the Hop Valley Trailhead with the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead. This overgrown trail is probably the least hiked stretch of trail in Zion National Park. As the bland name would indicate, this is not a "destination hike" for day hikers, but it is useful for backpackers who are doing the "Trans-Zion Hike" through the park. The scenery, however, is actually quite sublime. TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

HOP VALLEY TRAIL

Rating: moderately strenuous hiking/backpacking. The Hop Valley Trail is a 6.5-mile stretch of trail that connects the Hop Valley Trailhead with the La Verkin Creek Trail (in the Kolob Canyons section). While the scenery in Hop Valley is actually quite sublime, this section of park is part of a private inset of land where cattle still graze freely. Numerous stream crossings and the omnipresent cow droppings probably make the "Plop Valley Trail" less than appealing to the general public. TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

HOODOO CITY

Rating: easy short hike. "Hoodoo City" is my unofficial nick-name for some very cool rock formations. Just to the east of the Hop Valley Trailhead is a beautiful cliff formation of many hoodoos looking down at the valley below. The hike to the hoodoo formations is an easy 15-minute walk up and over to the hills. While this is not exactly a destination hike, it could be a fun little diversion for those looking for a shorter hiking experience with some interesting scenery. ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

EAST AND WEST NORTHGATE PEAKS

Rating: Fairly strenuous rock-scrambling. The family-friendly Northgate Peaks Trail ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the Great West Canyon (the Left Fork of North Creek) and offers great views of the nearby peaks, most notably the majestic North Guardian Angel in the distance to the south and the closer Northgate Peaks to the east and west. The scramble to the top of both Northgate Peaks is a good little half-day adventure for those with slickrock-scrambling experience and a tolerance for exposure to heights. ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

LANGSTON CANYON and LANGSTON MOUNTAIN

Rating: Strenuous day hike and rock-scrambling. Tucked away behind a tall sandbar on the eastern side of Hop Valley, Langston Canyon might not even be noticed by those hiking through on the Hop Valley Trail, but this formidable side canyon offers up some beautiful and remote scenery. The hike up Langston Canyon to Langston Mountain is a long and challenging day in the remote backcountry and involves a lot of bushwhacking, steep uphills, boulder-scrambling, and navigation challenges, but the views and solitude just might be worth it! ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...

RUSSELL GULCH

East of the Northgate Peaks Trail, Russell Gulch is the vast slickrock side canyon that sees many hikers/canyoneers starting their descent of the Left Fork of North Creek to the Subway. Alternatively, Russell Gulch is quite worthy of random exploration in its own right; from the west side by the Northgate Peaks to the eastern shelves under the White Cliffs, there is plenty of amazing slickrock to be seen. Caution: Navigation is extremely important here; use a topo map, GPS, and/or compass to track your route. Do not descend anything that you will not be able to climb/hike back up.

WILDCAT CANYON

Rating: fairly strenuous hiking. Wildcat Canyon is an off-trail route that can be done as a long day hike - about 5-miles one way. The route starts off of the Wildcat Connector, about a mile from Lava Point. Leave the connector and descend into Wildcat Canyon. The first part of the hike is a bit overgrown, but things open up after you reach the canyon floor. The route ends when you reach the headwaters of the Left Fork. While Wildcat Canyon can be done as a return-trip day hike, it is also the first leg of the great Right Fork canyoneering route or a full descent into the Left Fork.

RIGHT FORK OF NORTH CREEK

Rating: strenuous backpacking/canyoneering route. This is the ultimate Zion backcountry adventure, featuring backpacking, canyoneering (rappels and a few cold swims), navigation challenges, and the most beautiful and remote scenery in the park. The route follows the Wildcat Canyon route and continues past the headwaters of the Left Fork to descend the Right Fork of the Great West Canyon. Brereton and Dunaway have the classic description of this hike. Note: Like the Left Fork, a non-technical hike can be made up from the bottom.

TRAIL CANYON/COUGAR MOUNTAIN

Rating: strenuous off-trail day hike. Trail Canyon is an interesting tributary to the Right Fork of North Creek, and it gives access to hike/climb to the top of Cougar Mountain for excellent view to the north and south. Although ironicly named "Trail" Canyon, this is actually a bushwhacking and boulder scrambling route, so the going is quite slow. Ron Kay's Guide has a good description of this route.

NORTH GUARDIAN ANGEL

Rating: fairly strenuous hiking/climbing. The North Guardian Angel is the prominent peak just south of the Northgate Peaks viewpoint. The scramble up to the peak of the North Guardian Angel offers a great view down into the Left Fork of the Great West Canyon and the surrounding area. The route starts from the Northgate Peaks and takes several hours to complete; scramble down south-southeast and then scramble/climb up the saddle of the North Guardian Angel and follow the path of least resistance southwest to the peak. Note: Many sections are quite steep and exposed, so if you have a fear of heights and no climbing experience, this isn't the route for you. Rope and webbing are also quite helpful for giving handlines.

SOUTH GUARDIAN ANGEL

Rating: strenuous hiking/climbing. The South Guardian Angel is another prominent mountain, south of the Left Fork and sitting across from the North Guardian Angel. While less "technical" than the Noth Guardian Angel approach, this is a very long and strenuous day hike and scramble to the peak. Ron Kay's Guidebook includes a description of a possible approach, but it is vague enough to not be of much use. Finding a Left Fork cross-over point is one of the biggest challenges of this route.

JOBS HEAD and POLE CANYON

Rating: easy short hike. Jobs Head is a fairly prominent collection of mountains along the Kolob Terrace Road, about two miles east of the Hop Valley Trail. The slickrock hill in front of Jobs Head offers easy access to a fun place for a stroll or a family picnic. The rock is similar to the beautiful slickrock of the upper East Canyon, but it also contains much lava rock, prominent in the Terrace section. As another fun diversion, you can hike up Pole Canyon (Pine Spring Wash) which is a relatively interesting wash for exploration. The farther up the wash you go, the more obstacles you will encounter.

Continue to the Kolob Section ->

Hiking symbols used for descriptions:
	ZION CLASSIC: a must-do hike if you want to see the best of Zion!
	FAMILY-FRIENDLY: a good choice for those with children who like to hike.
	BACKPACKING: a route enjoyable as a multi-day hike.
	TECHNICAL: canyoneering or scrambling route requiring technical gear and climbing and/or rappelling experience. Not suitable for casual hikers.

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