So this morning, I pack my car and head out in the dark, rain and wind heading south. The weatherman said last night that southern Utah will be clear by morning so at some point this rain will end (hopefully).
Hard to see the countryside much even when light comes because of the rain and clouds but I do see e plenty of horses and tons of cows (and their babies). And one pronghorn who was trying to hide among a herd of cattle - spotted ya!
Finally, around Scipio (one of my favorite UT city names), the rain stops but skies are still gray. Only in this one location outside of Scipio did I actually snow from the storm on the ground -- I don't understand, near Salt Lake the snow levels were above 9000ft. Here, 100+ miles further south, the snow levels around 6000 ft. Strange but very pretty.
The skies started to clear after Cedar City so I decided to stop at Kohab Canyon -- the "other" part of Zion National Park (and the far less crowded one). Still plenty of clouds around but it's a good break from the highway and a chance to stretch my legs a bit.
As I pass thru the gate, the Ranger warns me that the trails are muddy (I kinda assumed that with all the rain that happened over night.) and a bit icy at the end of the Taylor Creek Trail (one I'm considering a hike here).
But first, I'm driving the 5 mile Scenic Road to the end before this tour bus that just rolled into the parking lot gets there.
The road is wet (of course) with water streaming down the rocks cliffs. Several of the tall rock formations are cloud-free while a couple are still cloaked in clouds. (But blue skies are coming.)
I reach the end of the road
and decide to take a short 1/2 mile Timber Creek trail to an overlook. The trail is extremely muddy in spots - short quick steps to stay above the muck. Soon I reach the viewpoint. From here, the south end of the Grand Canyon's Kaibab Penisula should be visible- not today however. But there's a good view of the Kohab landscape.
On the way back down the canyon, I stop at several of the pull-outs and decide to stop for lunch at the one with a picnic table. I'm hungry and perhaps the extra time will along more of the rocks to uncover themselves. The stop didn't help the view much.
I continue down to the Taylor Creek parking and pull-in. I decide to walk at least the beginning portion of the trail. I've been on it once before and there are some nice views early on.
I start down the muddy steps. At the bottom is Taylor Creek and it's pretty high this morning making for some interesting views.
But the water level should make for an interesting hike since this trail crosses the creek over 60 times to the end.
I continue on and soon reach the first creek crossing. The stepping stones are under about a foot of moving, cold water. I have no interest in getting wet so I move down a sandy bank about 50 ft just for a peek in the distance.
Then it's time to move on to the next destination - Red Cliffs Conservation Area north of St George.
