Middle Fork Taylor Creek
Kolob Section, Zion National Park

Rating: II-III Class 2
Season: Spring, Summer or Fall. The first part of the canyon is open to the sun - the second part is well-shaded.
Length: 4 to 8 hours.
Equipment: None.
Drinking Water: Carry plenty or a filter. Treatable water is found along most of the hike.
USGS 7.5' Map: Kolob Arch
Difficulties: None. This is a slightly vigorous hike with a few route finding intricacies.
Logistics: Starts and ends at the same parking area.
Permit: None.
Flash Flood Danger: Low. Weather Report available at Visitor Center.

Taylor Creek Middle Fork is a great little canyon in the Kolob Fingers, and leads to the rather scenic Double Arch Alcove. This is a conventional hiking trail in rough country, and is a little tricky to follow in a few places.

Park at the Middle Fork parking area, and follow the trail down and into the streambed. The trail follows the stream through a wide open and beautiful section of Taylor Creek. After entering a grove of pines, in the vicinity of a pioneer cabin, the trail splits. Stay more or less straight, and follow the main trail into the Middle Fork. The trail enters the shade as it passes through some mighty sandstone walls. A few miles of easy walking plus a couple of scenic waterfalls, brings you to Double Arch Alcove - a giant and very orange double arch. There is a Wild Turkey that lives in this area - keep your eyes peeled. (The "Arches" are not separated arches, but are arches ON the canyon wall).

Further travel upcanyon is blocked by a landslide. A steep trail surmounts this obstacle to explore the upper canyon.

Return the way you came.

South Fork Taylor Creek
Kolob Fingers Section, Zion National Park

Rating: II Class 2
Season: Spring, Summer or Fall. The canyon sees sun late in the day in high Summer.
Length: 2 to 4 hours.
Equipment: None.
Drinking Water: Carry plenty.
USGS 7.5' Map: Kolob Arch
Difficulties: This is a slightly vigorous hike on a good, though unofficial, trail.
Logistics: Hike begins and ends at the road crossing of South Taylor Creek.
Permit: None.
Flash Flood Danger: Low. Weather Report available at Visitor Center.

Taylor Creek South Fork is a delightful canyon that makes a wonderful, though brief, diversion. Soaring sandstone walls enclose beautiful meadows, and easy walking leads deep into the sandstone.

Park 1.2 miles past the Middle Fork parking area, where the road takes a sharp turn right. There is a substantial parking lot. Pick up the good, unofficial trail heading up canyon on the left side of the turn. Follow it down, then through some vegetation, then in and out of a few small washes. The trail climbs away from the bottom of the canyon and up steep dirt, then up through scrub oak to the top of a hill. Ah, a half hour of effort, and there you are. The scrub oak fades and you are left with ponderosa pines, dry fields and spectacular smooth sandstone walls. To proceed upcanyon, cut somewhat right to the right (south) canyon wall, and walk easily next to the wall. It is possible to ascend quite a way up the canyon, though it is eventually blocked by steep rocks.

Return the way you came.