Over the last few years, I’ve visited Zion National Park quite a few times.  I’ve been to the main area of the park and down Kolob Terrace Road, but I hadn’t been to Kolob Canyons yet.  I didn’t actually realize it existed until a few months ago.  Crazy, right?

Well, this trip it was our first stop and I was excited.  First, we drove the short scenic road to the top only making a couple stops for pictures.  We wanted to do some hiking and saw a Trail that looked good, so we headed back down and set off on the Taylor Creek Trail.

The trail isn’t terribly strenuous, but it is a few miles.  The elevation gain on the whole trail is only about 500 feet.  It’s totally different scenery than the main part of the park, Zion Canyon, and I loved it!

After a while, we came across a little cabin right in the middle of the canyon.  I didn’t see a sign showing the name of this one or its history or anything.  There is another one a little farther down the trail that is marked.  Both are locked so you can’t go in, but it’s really cool to see them here.

Along the trail and in the creek in a few places we saw some frost, snow, and ice.  I was pretty excited about this because I really wanted to see snow in the desert.  Unfortunately, that was the extent of the snow we saw.  The frosty leaves were so pretty though.  I could have taken pictures of them all day.  Only that part of the trail was frosty, which was kind of weird, then on our way out, it had all melted already.

I have to say, I was really surprised by this trail.  I had zero expectations going in.  As usual, I hadn’t really researched Kolob Canyons and hiking trails there at all before we got there.  It’s probably one of my favorite hikes in the park now.  I’d love to see more of the Kolob Canyons area.

Tips for hiking Taylor Creek Trail:

• In the winter, it can get a little chilly the farther back you go, so definitely bring layers.  Hat, gloves, jacket, maybe even a scarf if you get cold easily.  I would advise against sandals unless you wear socks with them.
• The entire hike is around five miles, but only has 500 feet of elevation gain in the whole thing.
• You do cross back and forth over the creek, so if there is a lot of water, your feet might get wet.
• Definitely bring water, even in the winter.  And actually drink it.  Snacks are good too.
• Taylor Creek Trail is in the Kolob Canyons area of Zion, not the main area.
• The end of the trail is a double arch alcove thing.  They aren’t actually arches, but look like it.  We didn’t get to the end as it was getting kind of late in the day and I was getting pretty cold and very hungry, so we headed back before the end.

Have you been to Kolob Canyon?  Did you do any hikes there?  What is your favorite hike in Zion?