Dogs No Dogs
Features
Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife
Overview
This child-friendly route takes runners up one of Zion's many amazing canyons to a breathtaking alcove at its apex.
Although beautiful, this is one of the less-photogenic run's in the park. However, Double Arch Alcove is without a doubt a worthy destination.
Description
The Taylor Creek Trail leads runners deep into a narrow box canyon toward the Double Arch Alcove, where erosion has carved out natural openings in the Navajo sandstone. As the trail reaches the mouth of the canyon it enters the Zion Wilderness and begins to crisscross Taylor Creek.
The trail passes the geologic formation of the Kanarraville Fold and two historic homestead cabins built in the early 1930's. The vertical walls of Tucupit and Paria tower 1700 feet above the trail as runners arrive at the Double Arch Alcove.
Flora & Fauna
Visitors are often surprised by the relative lushness found in Zion Canyon. The riparian area of the Virgin River supports enormous cottonwood trees and a diversity of herbaceous plants and grasses. Nearby, saturated wetlands make nice habitat for cattails, willows, aquatic plants, and rushes. Water seeping out of the Navajo sandstone creates tranquil springs and the unique “hanging gardens†for which Zion is famous, full of ferns, wildflowers, and mosses.
The cliffs of Zion stand resolute, a glowing presence in late day, a wild calm. Melodies of waters soothe desert-parched ears, streams twinkle over stone, wren song cascades from red rock cliffs, cottonwood leaves jitter on the breeze. But when lightning flashes water falls erupt from dry cliffs, and floods flash down waterless canyons exploding log jams, hurling boulders, croaking wild joyousness, and dancing stone and water and time. Zion is alive with movement, a river of life always here and always changing.
Contacts
Shared By:
Tom Robson
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