One benefit of working as a forester in different regions of the country is being able to travel the back roads and see this country's natural wonders. I prefer the unheralded places that most tourists never see. But some of the popular parks are too good to ignore. Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is one of them.
Before I could see the cliffs at Zion, I had to endure my own cliffhanger. A certain group of petulant politicans had shut down the government in an effort to prevent their own constituents from obtaining health care. As that drama continued, I took my time crossing Nevada in hopes that the national parks would open their gates. On the first day after the shutdown (October 17), I took Exit 40 from Interstate 15 and parked at the Kolob Canyons visitor center.
Map of Kolob Canyons. Courtesy National Park Service.
The Kolob Canyons region is the northwestern portion of Zion, connected to the main portion of the park by a narrow strip of land. This is the most easily reached portion of the park, even though it is not as famous as Zion Canyon farther southeast. Beyond the visitor center, the lone road snakes past vividly colored rock sentinels, ending at a viewpoint. From there, tourists can hike the short Timber Creek Trail to a higher overlook. Having arrived in early afternoon, I took that hike. There was not enough daylight to safely navigate any of the longer trails.
Here are some scenes along the park road and Timber Creek Overlook trail. They are in "lightbox" mode. Click on the image for a larger view.
Where enough moisture is available, tree species such as ponderosa pine, white fir, and Douglas-fir cling to the hillsides.
This is a distant view of formations seen up close in later images.
Grove of Gambel oaks (Quercus gambelii)
Gambel oak leaf showing a bit of fall color
Timber Creek Overlook trail
This ponderosa pine growing in the open has endured harsh weather, as evidenced by its twisted top.
The next five pictures show various scenes panning from left to right (east to south from my point of view).
Shadows create an interesting pattern on the cliffs
More light and shadow
Timber Top Mountain
View to southeast, with Timber Top Mountain on left side of picture
Looking south towards Smith Mesa and Hurricane Mesa
Singleleaf pinyon pine (pinus monophylla)
Juniper tree with numerous branches
I-15 near park entrance. Do people exceed the speed limit no matter how high it is? Of course!
I'm publishing this as a Daily Bucket since one has not been posted today. Feel free to add your thoughts and pictures.
"Green Diary Rescue" is Back!
After a hiatus of over 1 1/2 years, Meteor Blades has revived his excellent series. As MB explained, this weekly diary is a "round-up with excerpts and links... of the hard work so many Kossacks put into bringing matters of environmental concern to the community... I'll be starting out with some commentary of my own on an issue related to the environment, a word I take in its broadest meaning."
"Green Diary Rescue" will be posted every Saturday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.