Hiking in Right Hand Canyon and the Zion Canyon Music Festival
As the crow flies, Right Hand Canyon is no more than a few miles from the house but I had never hiked there. There are no existing trails where we were but there are plenty of gated and overgrown roads that wind up the canyon wall. We began on one of these roads, passing a small pond and a random old army truck parked in a meadow before we began ascending the switchbacking path. As we gained elevation we were able to get better views of the aspens across the canyon to the south but after about a half hour we decided to turn north towards Cedar Canyon, which we were now able to catch glimpses of. As we proceeded, Brian Head and many of the higher peaks to the east came into view and we were able to see the snow that had blanketed the mountaintops above 9,000 feet.
Eager to try and see more I had the brilliant idea of scrambling up a knoll that I thought would provide an unobstructed view up the canyon to the snowy mountains, but while the climb wasn’t bad, the dense scrub oak and mountain mahogany that we had to crawl through resulted in two pair of scratched up legs – and unfortunately, not too much in the way of views. We descended after reaching the high point and returned to the old road where we continued making our way up. Now heading south, we were able to see up close the peachy-red maples and burnt oak leaves though the clouds darkened most of these photos. After about another mile we turned around at a small flat since we had an important date at the Zion Canyon Music Festival.
We had gone to the small, local music and arts festival last year and were planning on returning, but it was meeting Charlie from Fiyah Rootz the previous week that got us really excited. We actually got there just about when the gates opened at 4 in order to catch Full Tilt Boogie, a bluesy-rock quartet we loved listening to last time and then it was on to the chill reggae vibes of Fiyah Rootz.
There is such an abundance of posts of hikes and beautiful places on your blog, I wonder how you can keep all your memories and what you’ve seen ‘ordened’. Can you easily recall the place when you see a photo from, let’s say a couple of years ago? (sorry if that seems a stupid question!) So many impressions! Wow
That’s actually a very interesting question, Trudi. The short answer is yes. Because I’m on foot, hiking, the pace is slow enough that I’m aware of my surroundings more than if I were driving and so I think I’d be able to recognize almost any picture from a couple years ago. Also, many of the landscapes I’ve been in are distinctive enough that I’d recognize them from their features; I don’t spend much time in the forests of the eastern US for example which are more nondescript and all have dense deciduous tree cover. However, if I just visited a place – like stopped at an overlook – and didn’t spend much time there I might have more trouble recognizing it. I’m absolutely sure I have forgotten things I’ve seen along the way though and so while I started this blog initially to keep people I know updated on my trip, it now serves as a record for me too.
Thanks for the info Meghan. We want to get away for a week or so in November but are all over the map about where that will be. We love Utah (have been there twice in March) and it’s in the running, though we may go for a last minute deal and blast of heat in Mexico or Caribbean. I’ll let you know and may have more questions.
Any of those options sound pretty great! 🙂 In November I’d consider the Zion NP or Moab areas. If the former I could also give you some hikes and ideas outside the park. Happy planning!
Hi Meghan, looks like we’re going to be in and around Zion the 2nd week of November. We’re flying in/out of Vegas and plan on visiting the Grand Canyon first but then have no fixed itinerary. If you could give me some favourites/insider tips in and outside the park I’d really appreciate it. I’d love to see Bryce dusted in snow but we’ll play that one by ear. Mike isn’t quite as keen as me on hikes that are too vertically challenging or super long, so we’ll keep it on the moderate side. If easier, send me an email at caroline_helbig@hotmail.com. No rush and thanks
Hi Caroline! Excited you’ll be coming out this way. I’ll email you tonight after we get back!
Great. But like I said no rush.
What’s the hiking like out your way in November? I know the mountains get snow and it’s chilly but I imagine you get lots of clear skies too?
Hi Caroline, this is maybe more info than you want but: where we live in Cear City at 6,000ft its 50s/60s daytime for the first few weeks then it suddenly gets cold. The mountains above the house will have snow but are probably hikeable up to 8,000 feet (so some trails). If you drive 45 minutes south from here on I-15 the elevation goes to 3,500ft and is snow free, pleasant and temps in the 60s (basically perfect). We will have lots of clear skies until the late November snow (probably). Were you just curious or are you planning on visiting Utah?
Wow that looks like a blast!! I love photos with big, white, puffy clouds!! Pictures are great! 👌
The ZCMF is a great time and we definitely enjoyed the hike. And thank you, I agree that puffy clouds are the best!