9/21 Kolob Canyon Wilderness, Zion National Park

Kolob Canyon

Zion was so crowded we decided to explore the much less traveled Kolob box canyons in the northwest corner of the park, about 45 minutes away.  Many place names in Utah and the parks we have recently visited were given by early Mormon settlers.  Kolob—in Mormon scripture, the nearest star to the planet where God resides. They also renamed the area Zion when they came in 1858 , which is ancient Hebrew for sanctuary or refuge.   The native culture called it Mukuntuweap, meaning straight canyon.  

We hiked the 5 mile Taylor Creek Trail which crosses the creek dozens of time, passes two old homestead cabins from the 1930's to Double Arch Alcove where we had lunch.  They warn against mountain lions here but besides squirrels and birds the only thing we saw out of the ordinary was this tarantula. A reminder that we are in the desert.  

Double Arch Alcove with Chef Boyardee

This may be the best trail of the trip for me.  This relatively flat unimproved trail through the wilderness looking up at spectacular 2,000 foot Navajo sandstone cliff walls was peaceful and absolutely breathtaking.

On the way back we stopped to buy some elk and buffalo jerky at an old Native American looking shop.  The shop owner told us that the wooden hut outside was a 173 year old Navajo women's hogan that had been passed down through the family women to the last Navajo women owner who gave it to him before she died.  It was the traditional home for the Navajo but when they moved to more modern housing, families kept a hogan "for spiritual ceremonies and to keep themselves balanced".  The door always faced east for the morning sun as well as good blessings.  How wonderful is that!

Navajo Women's Hogan

Today's Hike:  5 miles (900 feet elevation changes up and down)