The images presented here will be most of the composite panoramas taken during my most recent adventure in Zion National Park. It starts with a 2 day car camp just outside the park which included a day hike in Zion proper, and then each of the days hiked tranversing the NorthWest portion of the Trans Zion Trek which connects the following trails:
Timber Creek Trail
La Virkin Creek Trail
Hop Valley Trail
Connector Trail
Wildcat Canyon Trail
West Rim Trail
Starting The Grotto hike, Shuttle Stop 6 looking South.
The light wasn't too harsh with the clouds today. Gained a little bit of elevation and a reminder to always turn around to see what lies behind you.
The Grotto Proper - Accessible for a lot of people.
Deep in The Grotto I believe this offered up the finest large shot opportunity.
Getting down out of The Grotto heading South towards the Lodge.
A rare sighting of a creature known locally just as "Walt"
Looking North on the River Trail
Our day hike comes to an end crossing back over The Virgin River
Saturday 10.19.2024 The Grotto Day Hike
Early Views descending Timber Creek Trail
By the time we hit the trail the light was a wee bit harsh
That Navajo Sandstone
Campsite 10 on La Verkin Creek
Up on a spine separating Timber Creek from La Verkin Creek
What can you say? Such beauty is hard to imagine.
180 degrees of the lower section of La Virkin Creek
My good friends and companions Jim, Jed, and Mike
Day 1 - Lee Pass to Campsite 10 La Virken Creek
A little too much dynamic range. The sun hits the peaks while we chill in morning camp
A late lazy start to the day
Reflected light Navajo Sandstone
The first of at least 3 decent views of Kolob Arch
Kolob Arch and the boys
A fantastic 270 deep in the side canyon containing Kolob Arch.
Somewhere up Willis Trail
Direct and indirect light.
More reflected glow light on the Navajo Sandstone from the opposite canyon wall with my friends.
Monday 10.21.2024 Exploring Kolob Canyons
Not sure this is a composite but I loved the shot
Climbing out of Kolob offers multiple levels of Kolob
With differing light patterns
And opportunities for big images with my friends
The higher you get the more you can see
Mike in the pass separating Kolob from Hop Valley
Down on the flats of Hop Valley
Horse Camp A - What a site!!!
One of my Favs. A limestone capped egg against the grandeur of Kolob
Late afternoon light Kolob
Kolob Canyon to Hop Valley and back for Water
Long day ahead, early start, the sunlight is high above us.
Didn't take long to find the sun
Now in an area open to grazing.
Looking towards our exit from Hop Valley
Fun with composites
If it looks warm, it is warm
Another rock formation at the head of Hop Valley
When shade can be found, use it
We are just about to leave Hop Valley, and this might be the last time we see Kolob in the background
The head of Hop Valley
I was wrong. One more Kolob sighting
Kolob Terrace before the desert scrub begins
Kolob Terrace and scrub
No where to hide from the sun
270 degrees of Kolob Terrace
Connector Trail
Super Duper
Jed and what remains of the Terrace
Another larger egg
Higher on the Connector Trail
Day 4 Hop Valley to Wildcat Canyon - Death March 1
Upper Wildcat Meadow - I knew it was here somewhere
Over the pass and into upper reaches of Blue Creek
Scrub Oak and the far wall
Stopping to admire the color and the view
Rounding the bend from Wildcat to West Rim
Looking back at where we came from
Color
West Rim Trail working our way South
High Terrace with views of Bryce Canyon way in the background
That is Bryce away in the distance
High Desert Scrub
Never a dull moment
Knarly old dead tree
Potato Hollow
Aspens!!!!!!
Almost out of Potato Hollow
Jed can't believe he is here
Looking down into Blue Creek
What makes the West Rim so awesome you ask?
Death March 2
Running out of things to say :)
Looking down into the next level down for our hike out in 2 days.
Campsite #1 Junction West Rim Trail, Grotto Access, and Telephone Canyon. 2 nights here
Day 5 - Wildcat to West Rim - Death March 2
The early glow of sunrise on a cloudless morn
Southern Exposure
Rounding the bend to the West side of the West Rim
Sentinel against the backdrop of Bryce. Everything between here and there eroded away over the last 100 million years
Jed throws up his hands "I can't take anymore of this!"
This gem sat next to us for two nights. Our exit passes the base of it.
Late afternoon light. You can see the trail below as well.
Later afternoon early sunset light on the Eastern sky.
Clearly out of order :) - Blue Creek drainage
More Blue Creek. This is the cream of the West Rim crop
225 on the West Rim
Scrub Color
Day 6 - A day hike walk on the West Rim
Early Sunrise Light better clouds
Wider View
Even wider view
Just the clouds
Not sun up yet, but the color and the glow
It was just so surreal
The lower terrace
It breaks while Jed and Jim argue chess strategies
Let the descent begin!
That is the same wall that stood as sentinel to our South while in camp
Back of the terrace looking out into the main canyon
Wide shot
Jim is in awe
I am in awe as Jed joins me
We were way up there on the left
Here comes Jed
This way and that way the lines go
Out onto the edge of the upper terrace, Zion proper lies below
Paul and a 235
Looking down into the main canyon with Angels Landing visible on the right.
The lower we get the more people we see.
Scouts Lookout we rest before The Wiggle
Looking back
I might try this again. I think this and the one above go together :)
I was right. The previous 2 were meant to be one giant image with Jim.
Day 7 - The grand finale 10.26.2024
