Kolob Canyon at Zion on the way to Bryce?
 

Our mid June trip is: Vegas - Bryce (2n) - North Rim GC (2n) - Zion (3n) then back to Vegas.

We'll be on the road from Vegas to Bryce (taking 15 to 89 to 12) by 10 am and I was thinking of stopping for a drive through Kolob Canyon for an hour or so to see this area, so while we are in Zion later in the trip we can concentrate on seeing as much as the canyon area proper.

Any thoughts about this?

Thanks.

DO IT. Kolob canyon is very different from the main part of the park at Zion. LOvely vistas and stops along the road. If you have time there is a wonderful trail there called the Taylor Creek trail. It is one of the nicest hikes I have ever done, and I hike in Natl Parks a lot. It is an easy 5 mile RT hike and the pay off at the end is an incredible double arch alcove- AMAZING.

Personally I like hiking in Kolob better than the other part of Zion. Few people compared to the crowds at main part of Zion.

See here:http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/kolob.cfm

Are you driving through Springdale (Zion) on the way to Bryce? If so, Kolob may be a bit out of the way. It is beautiful but will add 2 -3 hours to your trip. It is a nice place to walk or hike and really deserves more than a cursory drive-through. You may want to go to Kolob on your way back to Vegas at the end of your trip.

Thanks emd. Nice website.

Elnap, the plan was to go up and over 15 to 89 to 12 and drop into Byrce that way on the first leg of the trip. It is a longer drive, which is fine for us, but since we are going to be heading from Bryce down to NRGC on 89, we will pick up that part of the scenery on that next leg of the trip. I really wanted to enter Zion from the east and end the trip there. However if the possibilites for a spending a day in Kolob look good, we might just do what you suggest at the end of the trip or drive up there while we are at Zion for a good portion of one of our 2 full days there. Thanks. Any other thoughts about visiting Kolob on the way to Bryce?

iamq,

Yes, good plan. I, too, love Kolob Canyon and the scenery is amazing and different as emd3 says. Your route is a good one and makes the most of your time.

Have fun!

PS - if you start early on your way to Zion, stop off at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary just west of Kanab. They will give you a short tour and it's very impressive and beautiful. They do good work, make a donation of your choice.

Thanks Dayle. I am really looking forward to this trip!

Looks like the Sanctuary may be worth a visit for the wild birds alone. Thanks for heads up with that.

No suggestions from me, but I wanted to say it's good to see you!

Lee Ann

Thanks Lee Ann.

Welcome back to the board ... your contributions have been missed!

MY

Ditto Bill. Please let us know how you like Kolob!

BTW, where is Utahtea? I miss her. Is she still around? She used to always answer these western park questions.

We originally were going to go see Cedar Breaks on the way to Bryce, but that may be a too far out of the way and the jury seems out whether or not it would be worth the side trip. I'd like to see it, but it sounds like Kolob would be a better choice.

Thanks the welcome back.

iamq,

Kolob is definitely the better choice. Cedar Breaks is beautiful, but not much different than Bryce. Bryce is by far more spectacular for the types of formations.

Plus, the road up to Cedar Breaks can be very snowy. It's very high and southern UT is getting pounded with snow this year due to the El Nino in the Pacific. (They are getting all our snow!) So the road may open late this year.

This also means major runoff in the Virgin River, so possibly no hiking the Narrows until mid-to-late June.

Hi Dayle,

We'll be at Zion on June 20th until the 24th.

iamq,
Sounds like a fun trip! We haven't been to Kolob Canyon yet but it's on the list for next time. Great idea to stop there on your way to Bryce.

We are staying at the park lodges. We are going to Kolob Canyon en route to Bryce, not as a replacement.