Zion National Park, Part 3: La Verkin Creek Canyon
I thought the last canyon Tom took me to was a beautiful hike but La Verkin Creek Canyon was phenomenal. We used the Grapevine Trailhead off Kolob Terrace Road in Zion and descended – or more accurately, skidded, slid, and fell – down into the canyon. The first mile or so downstream was overgrown and difficult bushwacking at times but in addition to the refreshing green trees we saw a few early wildflowers and fish swimming in a couple ponds; we also saw the first of three toads.
Once the canyon opened up however and the vegetation became scarce the true beauty was unveiled. The organic forms of the eroded sandstone were stunning and the small waterfalls along the creek incredibly picturesque but the finale was a beautiful 20-foot clear blue waterfall. After a few miles through the canyon we scrambled up the side and looped back to our starting trailhead. I usually take a couple hundred photos on a hike but that day I took more than double that; the canyon was so fantastically beautiful and became even more picturesque the further we went. But, here are the photos I managed to narrow it down to:
View of La Verkin Creek Canyon from near rim, Zion National Park, Utah
Descending into La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Erosion in sandstone boulder, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
This bud looked like a broccoli floret, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Tom and I, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Toad, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Terry’s picture of me doing strange things to get good photos, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
View of La Verkin Creek Canyon while bypassing waterfall, Zion National Park, Utah
Waterfall, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Waterfall, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Tom and I, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon with Terry in foreground and Tom in background, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
La Verkin Creek, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
The canyon side we scrambled up, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Walking through burned forest along Kolob Terrace Road on return, La Verkin Creek Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah
Hi Meghan,
This is a great post with great pictures. I love it.
I would like to correct just one piece of information. This is North Creek of the Virgin River. It is not La Verkin Creek. That might help those who try to find these gems in the future. I’ve hiked both and love them both. Really beautiful country.
Thanks,
Gordon
gordonsmith.smugmug.com
Thanks, Gordon. I was new to the area at the time. Yes, it is a beautiful place for sure.
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Wow, if only…..
It was such a beautiful and amazing hike, Carol!