Northgate Peaks Trail to Lee Pass Trailhead (18.2 miles, +1,100/-1,700 feet). This morning we were a little leery of what lay before us.  The next section of the hike was on the “Connector” trail.  It sounded about as glamorous as an urban highway interchange.  But even this part of the route was beautiful, and in…

Cabin Spring to the Northgate Peaks Trail (16.7 miles, +1,500/-1,500 feet). All the frustration I felt with the crowds in Zion Canyon melted away this morning with the sunrise.  I never knew that the beauty of the main canyon spills over the countryside into countless gorges and landscapes.  And the West Rim Trail puts you…

Top of Echo Canyon to Cabin Spring (11.0 miles, +3,000/-2,500 feet). I love all the scenery in Zion Canyon, and I love the fact that it is accessible to all different kinds of people.  But when I’m in a frame of mind to go into the backcountry, it can be shockingly repulsive to deal with all…

East Entrance Trailhead to Top of Echo Canyon (6.6 miles, +1,000/-400 feet). We met ChiaGlyph, who was driving in from Denver, at the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center.  We got our permit and then dropped a car at the Kolob Canyon trailhead where we will return at the end of our hike.  We then shuttled to…