TR: Unknown waterfall, Zion east

[Rob L]

I'm sure Tanya knows of this little gem in Zion's slickrock area, but I couldn't find reference to it on her site.

Just uphill from Tunnel Canyon on the north side of the Zion-Mt Carmel Junction road is a little turn-out with this delightful waterfall just a few hundred yards away from the road:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8269.jpg

Ascending the slickrock to the side, I found it easier to stay on the wet rock which gave more grip than dry rock.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8313.jpg

Climbing further up the slope...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8284.jpg

...I happen across some bighorn sheep (I assume they're bighorns). They were quite skittish, and I use max zoom to avoid getting close to scare them off:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8285.jpg

Their snowprints have caused compression of the snow around the edges. As the snow has melted slightly in the afternoon sun, the compressed ridges around the edges have remained, leaving raised edges:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8303.jpg

Yet further up the slope, getting behind the Great White Throne some, I find a midden where two of them rest:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8311.jpg

Some of the layered sandstone is very fragile, and little more than sand with the smallest amount of geological compression:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8282.jpg

Even only a day after the last snowfall, the snow is dusted with grains of fallen sand from the rockface:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8225.jpg

Hiking back to the road, the low sun on the snowy rocks makes me appreciate the beauty of this place, and the peace & solitude that's available by leaving the beaten path by only a few yards:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8280.jpg

{with thanks to Tanya for her website (http://www.zionnational-park.com)}

[asdf]

Great photos :2thumbs:

[Win]

Nice report, Zion is beautiful in fresh snow. I think that waterfall is a product of the melting snow and there were probably a lot of those that day. Another fun hike would have been Many Pools.

We took a ride up there last Saturday and it was beautiful. Some people were really up high in the snow on the West side of Checkerboard.

Win

[Felicia]

Beautiful photographs!

Zion is wonderful with all the new snow. I will never grow tired of these awesome sights.

Thanks for sharing! :five:

[Rented mule]

Wow! You've got some great pictures of a world class destination.
Winter is so overlooked at Zion.

[erial]

That's two pine arch in the upper left corner of your first photo.

[Deathcricket]

Cool report dude! I especially dig the short description of what you were photographing. Makes it easy to follow along.

[Bo_Beck]

That's two pine arch in the upper left corner of your first photo.

Thats what I was thinking as well, but when mentioned that the hike was near Tunnel Canyon I was unable to commit to a yea or nay.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-tunnel-canyon.htm

Beautiful photography and really nice composition though, and I do believe that this is the route to Two Pines Arch and Progeny Peak!?

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-progeny-arch.htm

[tanya]

I love the photos! That little arch is awesome too! Thanks for the memories. :five:

[americanhero]

Zion in Winter looks awful. :2thumbs:
Great pics of a wonderful area. And the little waterfall is something for me, 'cause I love waterfalls and cascades. :mrgreen:

[Cirrus2000]

Zion in Winter looks awful. :2thumbs:
Er, "awesome"? :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Very nice pics and report, Rob - thanks!

[americanhero]

Zion in Winter looks awful. :2thumbs:
Er, "awesome"? :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Very nice pics and report, Rob - thanks!



:roflol: :roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


you're right :oops:

Shouldn't be on the phone and here at Bogley at the same time.


By the way, I think the hike is something we could do in March. We will be in the area for a couple of of days :nod: