Kolossal Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park, Utah

The Kolob Canyons are located in the northwestern part of Zion National Park in southern Utah. They're quite different to Zion Canyon in that their magnificence can be viewed from afar.

If you click on this photo to enlarge, you can actually read the information plaque about the Kolob Canyons.

I did find my patches of blue sky and the pale background just highlighted the coloured rocks.

Unfortunately, I couldn't spend as long as I liked in this section of the park. There are many walks to do and places to explore and some of the wildflowers were out too.

I would love to revisit the Kolob Canyons because there weren't as many people and consequently it's much quieter than Zion Canyon.

There are no camping facilities here either and people probably like the campgrounds which are not too far away from Springdale near the south entrance to Zion National Park.



I preferred this area but it may also have been because the weather was slightly better than the more famous canyon. You can decide yourself when you visit.

If you would like a larger version of the bottom photo for a desktop wallpaper email me at fran@franwest.com.

Read more about the park here http://www.nps.gov/zion

Zoom in on Zion's Kolossal Kolob Canyons, Utah

Zion National Park, in southern Utah, is a park which is very spread out, having an east entrance and the main south entrance to Zion Canyon. In the northwest there's another entrance leading to the Kolob Canyons. It involves leaving the southern section of the park and heading west on Route 9 and connecting with the I-15. Well worth the drive.

The weather, while I was in the southern part of the park, was overcast and not ideal for photos, so I decided to head to the Kolob Canyons to see if I could find a patch of blue.

Here there was an excellent visitor centre and landscape much more to my liking. Unlike Zion Canyon, where I felt boxed in and had to look up at the rock formations, the Kolob Canyons were more open and easier to photograph in the landscape format (for my DVD purposes).

The location of the visitor centre is a bit deceiving because it doesn't really prepare you for the spectacular views along the road leading into the canyons. More photos of the Kolob Canyons in a future post.

Read more about the park here http://www.nps.gov/zion

Cruising the Canyons, Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona

One of the many activities to do at Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is to take a cruise around the lake and into the canyons.

Usually there are half day and full day cruises, with lunch provided on the full day ventures. On a hot day, if you choose to be on the top deck, drink plenty of water (provided) and take a hat and sunscreen. Just make sure that the hat ties on because someone on our cruise had to wave his hat goodbye as it blew off into the lake.

As you can see from the photo, the boat is right in the canyon. The cruise captain was just so skilled, he was fantastic.

Before we boarded for our cruise I was eyeing off the nice big boats moored at the jetty and was disappointed when we embarked on our smaller vessel.

However, as we proceeded through the canyons, I soon understood that a smaller vessel was more manoeuvrable. Even so, on one of the cruises, the boat was so close to the canyon wall that one of the loud speakers was smashed. No wonder the captain told us to keep inside the boat area.

Zion National Park Springs to Life

Zion National Park, Utah, has a novel way of motivating people to drink the natural spring water.

Rather than buy a new bottle of water every time, increasing the landfill problem, people are encouraged to reuse their water bottles at the bottle filling station.

I wish all water drinking fountains looked like this one.

Not only was the background beautiful but the water, cool and fresh from Zion's natural springs, was free!

Hiking is very thirsty work and people were lining up to fill up. I just managed to catch a moment when there was a break in the traffic.

Flyabout over Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona

Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area need to be viewed from both the ground and the air. So I rose at 5am for a 6am joyflight, with the pilot flying a route which took in some of the picturesque canyons, Rainbow Bridge and the dam.

The air was smooth and the rock formations were gradually being bathed in the early morning sunlight.


Dangling Rope Marina, on the Utah side of the lake, was worth getting up early for, wouldn't you agree? Sometimes the early bird gets more than just a worm!

Here's more information.

Beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

In 2009, one of the best holidays I organised myself was a trip to the Southwest of the USA and southern Utah's national parks.

I started in the west with Zion National Park and followed a tourist route recommended on one of the internet sites.

At Zion Canyon, you have to look up to appreciate the canyon, whereas at Bryce Canyon, you have to look down to view a breathtaking panorama.

There are many drives and walks at the top of the canyon as well as walking and mule trails down into the canyon.

The features of the park are not only the vegetation and wildlife but in particular the rock formations and their various hues.

Sunrise and sunset are brilliant at certain points of the canyon.

One of the places I'd like to return to and explore a bit more.

Check out http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm and Canyon Country Jigsaw Puzzles.

Houseboat Heaven on Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona

Here's a spectacular view of houseboating on a lake. Not just any lake, but a huge manmade lake, Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.


The lake overlaps Arizona and Utah and provides both space and secluded spots in the canyons to find your own piece of Heaven.

I only spent a short time in the southwestern corner of the lake where the houseboat moorings are at Wahweap and Antelope Point.


To say that the area is beautiful is an understatement. The huge cliffs, magnificent rock formations and striations of the canyons are not to be missed at lake level or from the air.

Here's more information.

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

This photo was taken towards evening in Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, with a storm brewing in the background.

The colours in the rocks are quite mesmerising.

I arrived late in the afternoon and had just enough time to fit in some sightseeing.

It was so comforting to find my campsite with my name on the site tag.

Booking my accommodation on the internet before I left Australia was a distinct advantage. It meant I could keep travelling for longer and still be assured of a place at the end of the day.

One day is not enough time here because there's so much to see and do. A spot to return to for sure.

My favourite saying for Utah - "Will someone please turn off the scenery!"

Check out Canyon Country Jigsaw Puzzles.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, southern Utah, is another one of the state's spectacular parks.

Here you have to leave your car outside the main part of the park, unless you're staying at the Lodge, and catch one of the shuttle buses into the canyon.

A very well run system with plenty of places to stop off and explore.

I spent two nights in the park with different experiences. The first night I slept in the car and awoke to mule deer roaming around the campsite and the next night I spent in the Zion Lodge. Both places also ran an evening ranger talk which was well worth attending to find out a bit more about the park's trails, flora and wildlife.

The photo is the Watchman and the Virgin River. Not a bad photo considering the weather was mostly overcast for my stay.

Read more about the park here http://www.nps.gov/zion

Mule Riding in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

I missed out on a mule ride down into the Grand Canyon, so I jumped at the chance to go mule riding at Bryce Canyon.

My first time on a mule (a bit scary because I don't like heights) but I was assured that my mule Angie knew what she was doing.

She did, I didn't.

All the mules followed our guide, John Henry, who was on horseback.

We followed the narrow winding trail down into the canyon stopping every now and then for photos and commentary. Spectacular scenery with the various colours of the canyon.

I was a bit sore in the backside at the end of the ride and I was definitely walking funny for the rest of the day. Another adventure ticked off the list.

Here's the rest of the story http://pilotyourlife.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/pilot-your-life-7/

Check out Canyon Country Jigsaw Puzzles.