Bogley

goofball · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject: zion

First off -thank you kind stranger ! As we arrived back at the car after being backcountry in zion, somebody had left us a care package of 3 gatorades on ice and 3 electrolyte capsules apiece, along w/ a vitamin pack and a little note wishing us happy trails. Awwwwww… that was very nice, thank you kind stranger.

Sonja “the terrble”, “sweet pretty” fleck, and jason “jason” headed to zion w/ Oak and kolob and whatever else gets in our way on the agenda. Well, oak and kolob you all know know about it seems… oh well, plenty else to do w/out the hassle of that cluster. All of us having had the barracks on our list for years we decided it was time. We entered via meadow creek. A very short lived bushwhack from hwy 9 got us to the rim and a good trail down. Once at the bottom we saw running water and a trickling fall. Nice ! water lasted a bit then went underground, only to appear agin in the lower reaches of mineral gulch. Mineral gulch was very pretty, especially the last couple hundred yards. once in the east fork virgin we sawm, wandered, and camped on a high bench. A lovely day.

Next day we explored our way downriver. Lots of springs alogn the way. Some eating out the rock and making deep caves that shortly pinch out to human exploration. One we saw bubbling up right in the river, 4 little springs pushing up thru the mud. Neat ! lots of swimming holes as well. We were enchanted the whole way. What a gorgeous palce ! the lack of tamarisk was wonderful, native willows and joint grasses and cattails (the roots of which are pretty yummy). It was a wonderland. I don’t get the comparison to zion canyons north fork virgin river narrows though. sure,both are fruit, but its apples and oranges. The lower, very steep and deep zion narrow’esq portion is such a minute part of the overall experience. the barracks needs no comparison to its big brother to validate it. it is an OUTSTANDING area on its own merits. 3 thumbs up.

Then we bivied along the river that night below the exit. Got an early start and thoroughly enjoyed the hike out, excellent views. Then back to the car and our anonymous do gooder. I think it was the cute rangerette we were talking to about canyons at the permit desk flirting w/ me. No other explanation fits.

So a great time overall, well worth it.

more pics here - http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559596729EXrBRF

Cirrus2000 · Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: CYVR

Fantastic - looks and sounds beautiful! Thanks for the report.

nosivad_bor · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 166 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Looks good man Not the average zion feel.

Let me know if you want to hit any of those Vegas canyons again. I'm itchin to get out.

Rob

goofball · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

nosivad_bor wrote: Looks good man Not the average zion feel.

Let me know if you want to hit any of those Vegas canyons again. I'm itchin to get out.

Rob

i just got back and i'm itchin' again already ! i try not to think about it too much as my gettin out is pretttty limited for a few more years.

i still want to finish the maze, that was a cool one. i'll let you know if when some day...

don't know if you have already heard of it, but boy scout canyon along the black canyon of the colorado below hoover is super sweet. something you guys could enjoy together in a day maybe. we rented a canoe and day floated, but overnighters are reasonable too.

Wasatch · Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 401 Location: Layton, UT

Thanks for the trip report and pics, glad you had a great time.

tanya · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 5720 Location: St. George

Great photos and fun report :2thumbs:

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2469 Location: SLC, UT

Bleh, lots of places and not enough time. Seems like every time I read anyone's report with pretty pictures I plan to go there the next weekend.

Thanks goofball, looks awesome man, great pics and TR!

Did you ever find out who left you the goodies?

goofball · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

Alex wrote: Bleh, lots of places and not enough time. Seems like every time I read anyone's report with pretty pictures I plan to go there the next weekend.

Thanks goofball, looks awesome man, great pics and TR!

Did you ever find out who left you the goodies?

thanks. and no, never even made inquiry as to who was so kind. could either be a ranger we spoke to (my moneys on that one), or just a do-gooder who did the math from our permit on teh dash. another hour and those gatorades would have been mighty warm though !