Location: Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park West Entrance Trailhead: Lee's Pass Distance: 15 miles (out and back) Hiking Time: 8-10 hours Best Season: Summer/Fall Difficulty: Intermediate
Kolob Arch is a large, free-standing arch located deep in the Zion Wilderness area. It is the 3rd largest in the world and the 2nd largest in the nation (after landscape arch). The arch can be reached from 2 trailheads, Lee's Pass in the Kolob Canyons and Hop Valley, both of which are the same distance. I did this hike from the Kolob Canyons side. The Kolob Canyons area of the park is more remote and sees much less crowds than the main canyon near Springville, and is located between Toquerville and Ceder City. The trail begins at the Lee's Pass Trailhead, 10 minutes from the visitor's center. It is a good idea to start this hike early in the morning, even if you are staying overnight just you can get a parking spot (it fills up quick in the summer).
The trail begins with a slow descent into the valley at the base of several finger canyons (The Kolob Canyons), following Timber Creek. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, offering great views of the towering sandstone monoliths several thousand feet above. The trail follows Timber Creek for a few miles, going through ancient cottonwood groves and green meadows. You may even see some frogs in the creek! After the first couple of miles the trail begins to slowly ascend up a small hill through juniper woods (this part is very exposed and hot during the summer, so be sure to not over exert yourself). The top of the hill is around campsite #3, and offers a great view of the surrounding country. The trial then turns to the west and into one of the main side canyons, following the La Verkin Creek. The trail follows the La Verkin Creek along a pleasant couple mile stretch through cottonwoods and ponderosa pines. (Fun Fact: If you smell the bark of a Ponderosa Pine it smells just like vanilla or butterscotch!!!!).
The trail then comes to a junction where the trail meets the Hop Valley trail, and then turns to the north into what is called Icebox Canyon, (you will notice it gets significantly cooler in there!). The trail continues for around a mile up Icebox Canyon until it arrives at the viewpoint for the arch! The arch itself is not one that you can go stand under, as it is is located several feet up the canyon wall and is viewed from a distance. This however does not detract from the sheer majesty of it. Here is a good place to enjoy a snack or lunch and marvel at the arch. Then you just return the way you came. Just a forewarning, the hill you came down at the beginning is an ass-kicker on the way out, not steep just long. But when you return to the car it is an amazing feeling of accomplishment!
Things to Know:
The area is WILDERNESS, so what ever you pack in you must pack out!
Group sizes are limit to 12 people, and if you are staying overnight you must get a permit from the visitors center.
Pack LOTS OF WATER! This hike is the high desert of the Colorado Plateau in the 2nd Driest state in the nation! Pack at least 3 liters of water, and it is a good idea to have a filter, because it is not good to run out. The La Verkin Creek typically always has water, so it is a good spot to fill up if you need it.
Fun Fact: Zion National Park is part of the much larger Colorado Plateau, which includes the rest of Utah's Mighty 5, Lake Powell, the San Rafael Swell, and even the Grand Canyon. The lower layers in Zion are consistent with the upper layers in the Grand Canyon, several miles to the south!!!
-The arch from the viewpoint.
- Trail section following west along La Verkin Creek (to the right in the picture). The old, twisted cottonwood is one of many you will encounter on the trail.
- View along the small creek in Icebox Canyon. The creek is beginning to create a Subway-like formation!
- Prickly Pear Cactus are very common on the trail. Most will bloom in the late spring and early summer such as this vibrant pink bloom.
- View from the trail looking into the Kolob Canyons. The formations are very typical of Zion National Park, mainly consisting of the Jurassic age Navajo Sandstone.