Taylor Creek – North Fork

Started reminiscing of past hikes and what has led up to the most
incredible 3 years of continuous adventures in my life. I can think
of almost 120 adventures, none of which shadows the other, but a few
that for some reason radiate in my mind?

I believe it was early spring 2 years ago that we decided to check
out North Taylor Creek in the Kolob Canyon District of Zion. Packs
filled, memory cards empty and ready to be filled, bodies and minds
ready to accept whatever would be coming our way.

This trail is very gentle until it splits away from Middle Taylor
Creek Trail, and then it gradually disintigrates into a free for all.
On the way we passed the fresh “kill” which stimulated our senses. It
confirmed that we were in a wild environment, but so close to safety!
Our bodies and minds fresh and clear, but now wary…onward we pushed
into such amazingly beautiful territory. Looking up and left…an
arch appeared! Had others even noticed it before? Undoubtably so, but
we wanted to think we had discovered it. Hence…we christened
it “Pico Rosado” and felt as though we had made our historic find.
What a glorious and exhilirating time for us! Now the remnants of a
medium winter showed us that further progress might just be a dream
without “Technical Gear” (Refer to thread in Canyons-egroup), so soon
our journey had reached an end.

Ah, but we had discovered so much, in a short hike, separated from
civilization. Time to relax, have a great lunch of sandwiches and
revel in such an accomplishment in the most beautiful place on earth!
Rejuvinated, and ready for the return trip, we loaded packs and made
our way west. Soon (thankfully) I remembered that I had left my
camera on the ground at our midway point. Quite embarrased, I told my
hiking partner to remain guarding my pack while I ran the mile or so
back up-canyon to retrieve my goods. After 15 or so minutes of
running, there was the camera which I hastily collected and began an
immediate return not wanting to inconvenience my partner. I passed
what I thought may be where I had left her, but wasn’t sure? Maybe I
had run too far and had missed her? Back up the canyon I ran…all
the way to the end….geeze…I was loosing it! Back down to where I
had thought I had left her! NOT THERE! OK….I’ll just run all the
way back to the parking area…….On the way there she
was!…….Why the heck didn’t you stay put with my pack so we could
hike back together???????……………..Bo, you left me right where
the “Fresh Kill” was and I WASN”T in the mood to be part of the Lions
Dinner!…………….I was so angry, but in hindsight I not only
could kick myself, but have to laugh at my frustration and stupidity!
-Bo