| |
Pine Creek Falls - Zion
National Park
| Summary: |
Not much of a hike, but the
destination is a pleasant waterfall and pool, a
nice place to spend some time on a hot summer
day. |
| Directions: |
The main road in Zion NP is
Highway 9. If you haven't spent much time in the
park, and you're entering the park from the east,
Highway 9 passes through the Mt Carmel Highway
Tunnel before negotiating a series of
switchbacks down into the park. Why do I mention
this? Because your parking spot for this hike is
the very last switchback (the lowest) if you're
coming into the park from the east, or your
first switchback if you're driving from within the
park towards the east entrance. Make sense? The
switchback is at the bridge that crosses Pine
Creek and consists of a wide pull out (on the
east side of the road) suitable for quite a few
cars. |
| Road Conditions: |
Passenger Car - paved all the
way |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
1 mile each way (about an
hours walk) |
| Date Hiked: |
September,
2003 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Hot & sunny |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike Description: |
From the parking area, simply
pick up the use trail that leads across the sand
and down to Pine Creek. As you walk up stream
you will find a little bit of
rock hopping (watch for sand on the rocks, which
can be slippery) and you'll have to cross the
stream a few times (this will be made easier if
you don't mind getting your feet wet), but there
are no major obstacles. After a half an hour or
so, the walls of the canyon will become sheer
and you'll enter a pleasant little grotto with a
nice pool, cascading falls and sandy beach.
Splash around, cool off, and when ready, return
the way you came. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
Many people seem to go up to the Emerald
Pools to find a place with water, however, the
Park Service has posted 'No Swimming' signs
around these areas, so they are off limits. Pine
Creek falls is much nicer and has no such
restrictions. Since there are no signs which tip
off the tourists to its existence,
you may even have it all to
yourself. |
| Maps: |
Trails Illustrated - Zion National Park, Zion N.P. Park Map |
| Books: |
None |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
 |
|
Falls and swimming hole |
|
|
