The next morning, Saturday Sept 9 -- and another cool overcast day that's perfect for hiking. Weekends are *very* busy in the main section of Zion Park, but the north end of the park, Kolob Canyon, is less developed and has fewer visitors. Getting there is fast on Utah's highways.

The Taylor Creek Trail at Kolob is about 6 miles long (round-trip), and follows the Creek -- making it cooler and more lush than some of the other hikes in this park. You'll pass oak and pine trees, and fragrant sagebrush. This trail has many fun (& easy) river crossings, and is a pleasant way to relax after yesterday's more strenuous hike.

This trail still takes a little over 4 hours and gains about 500 feet in elevation as it follows the stream.