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Zion National Park > Left Fork of North Creek
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The Left Fork of North Creek is one of many small rivers that cut into the high plateaux in the backcountry of Zion National Park, forming deep canyons that are often wide and V-shaped lower down, but become quite narrow upstream, with sheer cliffs of Navajo sandstone that rise to heights of 1,500 feet. North Creek splits into left and right forks but the canyon of the former (known as Great West Canyon) is the most spectacular, famous in part because of a feature known as The Subway, where the creek flows almost through a tunnel - a long, tubular passage with only a narrow opening above. |
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For some distance upstream, the canyon is very dramatic, with smooth, circular potholes, deep pools, waterfalls and narrow channels. Two places require the use of ropes to ascend cliffs and continue up the canyon although most people only go as far as the Subway. Most of the walk to reach this point is along the side of the stream through a relatively wide valley, winding through trees and cacti; the narrow section is reached after 4 miles. The journey is moderately strenuous but very popular.
Location: The lower trailhead is reached by driving 8 miles north along the Kolob Reservoir Road, a paved route that joins UT9 at the town of Virgin and climbs steadily,
following close to the course of North Creek. There is a carpark with hike information on the east side of the road, two miles after the Zion National Park boundary; the trail starts from here.
Permit: Left Fork of North Creek is within
Zion National Park, and the normal admission fee (increased in 2000 to $20) is required although there is no entry station along the Kolob Terrace road. In addition, because the hike has become so popular in recent years, with a supposed risk of erosion and damage to wildlife, a limit of 50 people per day (and no more than 12 in a group) has been imposed and a permit is necessary, which from 2004 has been 1-2 people: $10, 3-7 people: $15, 8-12 people: $20. For 30 of the 50 these may be booked in advance by either email or postal applications, 3 months prior to travel, with (new for 2003) successful candidates determined by a lottery system, or for the other 20, obtained one day before travel from one of the two park visitor centers at Kolob Canyon or Zion Canyon. Early queuing is advised for these walk in permits. These regulations are currently under review, and may become even more oppressive.
Photographs: 9 views of Left Fork of North Creek.
Map: TopoZone topological map of Left Fork of North Creek.
Description: A well marked trail winds through a sandy area with bushes and cacti on the canyon rim for 1 mile, then descends steeply to the river. From here it is 4 miles upstream to the Subway. The route is initially on the south-west side, but soon crosses the river many times and is not always easy to follow. Often there are faint paths on both sides. Although the river has occasional deep pools and boulders with little waterfalls, it is generally shallow, and becomes quite shaded with plenty of trees and bushes. The valley takes a while to become steep and narrow, but eventually the walls close in and the water covers all of the canyon floor. |
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There is a pretty cascade, where the creek flows over a staircase of many thin rock layers, with clusters of delicate wildflowers in sheltered alcoves at either side. The rocks here are covered with a thin layer of algae, making them extremely slippery.
Just upstream is the Subway section, which has formed at the boundary between two rock layers; the older Kayenta sandstone is softer than the overlying Navajo sandstone and so has been hollowed out to a greater degree. The Subway ends at a waterfall with deep channels and curious circular pools. The usual way to proceed is to climb the walls on the right, an ascent of 30 feet, to pass above the falls. This requires a rope; there was one left in place when I went, securely fastened to the rocks, but this may not always be there.
A few hundred meters further on is a passage only about one metre wide with nicely carved rocks, pools over 6 feet deep and sheer cliffs at either side. This ends at another waterfall with a tiny arch at one side and a 3 feet pool underneath. To climb these falls requires another rope and there is an attachment point in the rocks above, but no rope and so this was as far as I could go. Beyond, there are more pools and boulders along the upper part of the canyon, and eventually several paths that link with other points on the Kolob Terrace road.
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