South Fork of Taylor Creek Trail

South Fork of Taylor Creek is an unofficial, unmaintained route in Zion's Kolob Canyons district, starting across the road from the second parking lot on Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive. It's a sandy out-and-back of about 2.9 miles with roughly 800 feet of climbing, though hikers can turn around early without missing the canyon's best scenery.

Good to know

• The first mile is steep and narrow, climbing an old natural dam that once held back an ice-age lake
• Sheer Navajo sandstone walls rise up to 1,400 feet on either side
• The route ends at the base of Namaste Wall, a technical sport-climbing area
• Dogs are not permitted
• Best hiked April through July

Because it's an unofficial route rather than an NPS-built trail, expect route-finding over sand and rock rather than a groomed path — bring good footwear and be ready for some scrambling.