MAY 2025
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| KOLOB ARCH |
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| KOLOB ARCH |
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| VIEW ALONG THE TRAIL TO KOLOB ARCH |
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| BEAR TRAP CANYON |
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| BEAR TRAP CANYON |
Kolob Arch is a hike I've been wanting to do for a long time. It's located in the much-less crowded Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park accessed from the I-15 freeway just south of Cedar City. From the Lees Pass Trailhead, you will descend down into the canyon and walk about 6.5 miles to the turn-off to Kolob Arch on your left. It is about a half mile from the turn-off to a viewing area of the arch, where there is a sign saying it is not recommended to go beyond it. But to get a better view, you will need to follow an unmaintained trail past the viewing area that will make a steep climb up to a beautiful overview near the edge of a cliff that had a light waterfall coming down along the side of it while I was there. You can't get too close to the arch due to its location near the top of a very tall cliff, but it is still impressive. Due to how far away you are, it can be hard to appreciate it's ranking as the sixth largest arch in the world.
After visiting Kolob Arch, I decided to continue up La Verkin Creek another three miles or so to a waterfall in Bear Trap Canyon. The primary trail crosses La Verkin Creek shortly after Kolob Arch, but I got off track and just walked straight up the stream about a half mile before eventually finding a trail along La Verkin Creek that continued all the way to the turn off to Bear Trap Canyon. Bear Trap Canyon was a very pretty, peaceful canyon that eventually leads to a waterfall in a nice shady alcove. I had lunch here and then began the long walk back to Lees Pass. I was surprised I didn't see more people on this trail since I was hiking it on Memorial Day weekend, but the distance to the arch, and limited shade, probably keeps the numbers down a bit. I didn't see anyone on my walk from Kolob Arch to Bear Trap Canyon and back. It doesn't look like many people venture beyond Kolob Arch.
