4th Annual Columbus Day Hike

As noted in an earlier post, the Grand Canyon hike for Columbus Day week is off, but the world's a big place and I've only seen a small part of it.  Therefore:

The 4th Annual Columbus Day hike is being planned for Zion National Park.  The objective is the West Rim trail starting at Lee's Pass and ending at the Grotto in the main part of the park.  It is about a 37 mile trek.  My plan is to pick up the permits on Monday morning and start the hike as quickly as possible, but we have to drive back up to the Kolob area to start.  On Monday, day 1, we'll hike in to the Kolob Arch, Hop Valley trail junction area and campout at one of the campsites in the area.  Sites 11, 12 & 13 are just before the Kolob Arch junction.  If we get there early enough even the afternoon, we could hike up to Kolob Arch viewpoint.

On Day 2, I'd like to hike over to Beartrap canyon and waterfalls.  This would be a day hike and we would return to the same area.  We could spend a second night in the same location or move on down the Hop Trail.  I still need to do research on actual campsites.

Day 3, Wednesday.  Continue the hike down the Hop and perhaps get to the connector trail and over to Wildcat.

Day 4.  Thursday.  See some more of the sites and continue the hike.

Day 5.  Friday.  Hike Angel's Landing and then exit at the Grotto.

As you can see, the details still need to be worked out and permits secured.