You guessed it—it’s a hike!
Overview
It’ll be October 15–17 at Zion National Park. With the plans below, feel free to come for what you want and/or blaze your own path. If you “nope” out of this invite entirely, we are still friends provided you (1) get something off my gift registry and (2) pause right now to think fondly on our friendship for at least a couple seconds.
My aim is to complete the Zion Traverse trail on Oct 16 with any interested (adding on Kolob Arch and ending with Angels Landing—permit pending). There are multiple get on/get off points along the trail’s 40 miles, so you’d be welcome to join the party for a portion or for the whole enchilada (see the “Trail Options” section below if you’re interested in coming for part of it).
I’m gathering interested parties by June 30 so I can start making lodging plans, get Angel’s Landing permits, arrange shuttles, etc. Feel free to bring a plus one. You could also choose to come after July 1, of course! I’m currently planning to rent a big house and split the cost between participants. I’m sorry I’m too cheap to pay for all of us! 😉
Our party currently has 5 people planning to come, but we can take as many as we want—the more, the merrier. I always feel great enjoying the outdoors with my favorite people. 😘
RSVP: Scroll all the way to the bottom.
Gist of the Plan
Before the Trip:
Once I have a count of who is coming, I can arrange lodging, shuttle transportation to the start of the trail, and permits for Angel’s Landing. The Angel’s Landing permit lottery opens on July 1 and I can put people’s names in if I know that they are coming for that.
Wednesday, October 15:
I’ll finish work and drive to the Zion/St. George area with two objectives before bed: Getting a good meal and caching water for the next day’s journey. Depending on who/how many people are coming (and for which parts), we could arrange carpooling, etc for the trip down.
Thursday, October 16:
I’ll arrange for a shuttle to drop those starting at the La Verkin Creek trailhead in Kolob Canyon at 5am. Sunrise will be at 7:17am that day, so we will begin our first hour or so in the dark. We plan to move at an average walking pace of at least 3 miles/hour, including breaks (we’ll slow down for Angel’s landing). Note that no portion of this trail will be significantly steep other than the descent into the canyon at the end. We will finish at the Grotto Trailhead at 7:30 pm. Sunset will be about 7:45 pm. If we’re not quite to 40 miles yet (we should be!) we can always go to the next trailhead down.
Friday, October 17:
Head for home!
RSVP: Scroll all the way to the bottom.
Some Trail Options for October 16
Zion Traverse with Kolob Arch and Angel’s Landing: Entire Trail
Start at 5am at La Verkin Creek Trailhead (probably going to arrange a shuttle to get us there)
About 40 miles, 4,636 ft climb, 6,422 ft descent
A permit is required to do Angel’s Landing. The lottery for permits opens on July 1.
Concludes at the Grotto Trailhead at about 7:30pm
Bathrooms at miles 14.2, 22.9, and 36.
Bail points at miles 14.2, 18.5, 22.9, and 36
Kolob Arch from the La Verkin Creek Trailhead: Out-and-Back Trail
Start at 5am if going with the group
14 miles, 1,591 ft climb/descent
Starts with the group, but return to La Verkin Creek Trailhead would be solo.
Kolob Arch from the Hop Valley Trailhead: Out-and-Back Trail
Start at 5am if meeting the group at the Kolob Arch turnoff
14.6 miles, 1,692 ft climb/descent
Starts solo until meeting group at Kolob Arch. Return journey with the group
Kolob Arch from La Verkin Creek Trailhead to Hop Valley Trailhead: One-Way Trail
Start at 5am if going with the group
14.5 miles, 1,675 ft climb, 1,388 ft descent
Hop Valley Trailhead to Wildcat Canyon Trailhead via Hop to Wildcat trail: One-Way Trail
Start at about 9:30am to meet the group as they pass the trailhead
5 miles, 718 ft climb, 122 ft descent
Wildcat Canyon Trailhead to West Rim Trailhead: One-Way Trail
Start at 10:30am and meet the group at the junction where the Hop to Wildcat trail meets the Wildcat Canyon Trail.
6 miles, 834 ft climb, 358 ft descent
West Rim Trailhead to the Grotto Trailhead via the West Rim Trail (including Angel’s Landing): One-Way Trail
Start at 12:30pm to meet the group as they pass the trailhead
15 miles, 1,450 ft climb, 4,626 ft descent
A permit is required to do Angel’s Landing. The lottery for permits opens on July 1.
West Rim Trailhead to the Grotto Trailhead via the West Rim Trail: One-Way Trail
Start at 12:30pm to meet the group as they pass the trailhead
15 miles, 1,100 ft climb, 4,275 ft descent
Angel’s Landing from the Grotto Trailhead: Out-and-Back
Start at 3:45pm to meet the group at Scout Lookout at 4:45pm.
4.5 miles, 1,640 ft climb/descent
Starts solo, meeting the group at Scout Lookout before they do Angel’s Landing at around 4:45pm.
A permit is required to do Angel’s Landing. The lottery for permits opens on July 1.
Scout Lookout from the Grotto Trailhead: Out-and-Back
Start at 5:30pm to meet the group at Scout Lookout at 6:30pm.
3.8 miles, 1,241 ft of climb/descent
Starts solo, meeting the group at Scout Lookout after they do Angel’s Landing about 6:30pm.