Trip Date: September 2011

Double Arch Alcove, Taylor Creek, Zion

The Taylor Creek Trail that heads up into the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek, which is located in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, gives the hiker a sampling of what Zion is all about, along with a unique half-created double arch at the trail’s end. The Taylor Creek Trail is located in the northern portion of Zion National Park in a region known as Kolob Canyons. The great aspect of this trail is that it is located in an area that is seldom visited because it is located a considerable distance from the national park’s main attraction: Zion Canyon.  This gives the Kolob Canyons area the distinction of being less crowded than the main part of Zion.

The hike up Taylor Creek ceremoniously ends at a unique geological feature named Double Arch Alcove. If you’ve visited a few of southern Utah’s national parks, then you’ve probably seen some of Utah’s iconic arches. Although not as popular, alcoves, which are partially-created arches, are unique features where wind or water eroded out sandstone to create a regress or partial cave into a sandstone wall. Another amazing aspect of the lower alcove in Taylor Creek is that it is quite colorful.

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Trip Date: October 2007

Willis Slot Canyon

If you are visiting Bryce Canyon National Park and would like to see something a little different, then we recommend visiting this delightful slot canyon. You will learn how a small creek, named Willis Creek, has the power to shape such a beautiful landscape.

Of all the slot canyons that we have visited in the great Southwest, this one by far gives you the best bang for your buck.  Even though it requires driving on a dirt road, it is easy to get the to, even if you are in a car.  Unlike so many slot canyons where you have to repeal into or scale a slick sandstone cliff, one only needs to walk into this slot canyon.  Photographers are challenged with the extreme lighting conditions in most slot canyons, but not Willis Canyon because although its deep and skinny, its narrow sections are not very long which brings ample light in from each end allowing even an amateur to take great pictures.
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