This is our second trip up Kolob Terrace Road to Kolob Reservoir.
This time I’ve got a picnic lunch in the cooler – a salad with hard-boiled egg for me and some turkey slices for Bridget and Spike. It’s already close to noon on this hot June day in southwestern Utah. Good thing I remembered to bring a long-sleeve shirt. It’ll be cool up by the reservoir at over 8,000 feet.
I’m more relaxed this second trip.
Once I travel a road that’s steep and full of switchbacks, the second time I drive that road, I enjoy it more because I don’t have that oh-dear-God–what-have-I-gotten-myself-into feeling. Kolob Terrace Road is two-lane and paved. We pass red rock reaching high to the sky and green valley far below. At one point we drive on a ridge with steep drops on both sides. Occasionally I see a small sign announcing a trail head. We pass gigantic monoliths, some red and some light gray.
A sign reads “Entering Zion National Park.”
By the looks of the road ahead, we’re going to gain elevation for a stretch. I put the PTV in second gear. Up, up, up we go. I glance to the left as I negotiate some harrowing turns with no guardrails. A panoramic view opens up. I’ll be able to stop and look at that on the way back down. Better watch what I’m doing.
The road takes us around a bend to a beautiful meadow of tall grass.
What is it about meadows that I love so much? I stop the PTV alongside the road, let the crew out, and walk along the fence. Bridget and Spike are oblivious to the scenic meadow with dramatic, red rock backdrop. Their noses are in the grass. “Isn’t this great, guys?” They’re loving this. So am I.
The road continues gaining elevation.
I notice changes in the vegetation. Mounds of white flowers appear along the roadway. A refreshing blast of cool air blows through our open windows. I see a place to pull over. There’s a path leading through a line of bushes. I bet we can see the panoramic view through there.
The crew and I venture down the path which opens up to an area of rocks and prickly pear cactus blooming brilliant pink. Tiny, white, daisy-like flowers are scattered about. How lovely! And there’s the view! The haze makes it difficult to photograph. It would be nice to have that view for the blog. Oh well, it’s better that some things are seen first in real life. People need to come up here and see all this for themselves.
We enter and leave Zion National Park twice on the way to the reservoir.
Soon we enter a grove of aspens with their white trunks and shimmering leaves along both sides of the road. A few houses appear, tucked back into the forest. I stop at an overlook to view the black lava rock that is falling into a deep gorge, so deep that I don’t see the bottom. I’m not leaning over any farther than this.
Kolob is a tiny village comprised of a small store, a community center, a cemetery, and a few houses.
The buildings face an immense field of deep, emerald green. Horses and beef cattle graze. Not much further up the road we reach Kolob Reservoir, noted for its excellent fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. I find a place to park near the water’s edge and set up my camp chair for our picnic. Bridget and Spike know what’s coming when they see me pull out our blue and white cooler!
After lunch Spike does what he loves.
He steps into the water, lies down for about fifteen seconds and then stands back up. “Spike, you’re gonna’ freeze!” The air is chilly, a breeze is blowing, and that water must to be ice-cold.
Bridget and Spike explore the area while I take some photos and sit in my camp chair with an iced tea, looking out over the water. Spike is wet and cold, so I put the crew back in the PTV. That’s okay. I’m looking forward to seeing everything all over again on the drive home!
rvsue
P.S. Thanks to everyone who answered yesterday’s question. Your comments are very helpful. I will use your feedback and suggestions to try improving my blog.
rvsue and her canine crew 