ADAM HAYDOCK

 Great Basin national park was one of the most surprisingly beautiful parks that I have visited in a long time. I was expecting Great Basin to be a beautiful patch of alpine range but I was impressed with the beauty of the peaks and the diversity of this alpine environment.

 Driving up from Las Vegas at night can be a bit of a lost highway feeling but after 5 hours of driving, we made it to the park and found a place to sleep for the night.

 The following morning we woke up to a beautiful range with some snow in the chutes and ridges surrounded by aspen pines and clear 45 degree temperatures. The campground is at around 10,500ft above sea level so be prepared for the weather change and the altitude adjustment.

The main campground for Wheeler peak holds 37 campsites but the campgrounds were full so we parked at the summit trail head.

We got a blue hour start into the Birch tree forest and soon after broke into some prairie fields and beautiful flowers and aspen pine trees.

The view of wheeler peak and the nearby peaks was in view for most of the hike and set the stage for a beautiful background with the lakes and pines.

We stopped by the nearby Stella lake for a beautiful morning view of this alpine lake and soon after started up the trail to Wheeler Peak.

We passed by a few prairies and headed up a steady slope to a point where the trees started to show signs of stunted growth and become sparse.

Soon after the tree line left us and we were in a rocky prairie with small patches of flowers the a a few patches of mossy green growth.

The winds began to increase and the the temps dropped a bit more yet that was assumed since we were ascending the top of the peak.

We passed by a few sections of consolidated snow patches but they were easy to avoid.

I did bring an Ice Axe just in case we needed it but it was not needed.

There are sections where it could be icy in the morning so you want to check the conditions with the park before attempting to summit the peak.

The final approach was a bit steep but nothing that was too difficult to traverse.

At the time that we went, the trail was a bit covered with snow so we followed the ridge directly to avoid the slush and scrambled over some rocks to gain the trail once again for the last bit.

We could see a clearing and soon after, we made it to the summit.

The sun and the sky was beautiful and fantastic temperatures at the top.   The winds were not whipping over the peak as they must have been pushed around the ridges below.

The snow was consolidated at the top which was nice and easy to walk around. 

There are also a couple of rock shelters to snuggle into if you are trying to get away from the winds but on this day, there was nothing to hide from, especially from the beautiful views below. 

We could see the house range to the east and a 60 to 80 mile range of Utah Desert.  To the west of us, we could see multiple ranges, Ely, and the many ranges of Nevada.

We started our descent and we were surprised to see multiple groups of people heading up to the summit.  It got a lot warmer as we got back down to Stella lake.  We decided to add the alpine lake  loop and the bristlecone forest hike to our day which added a total of 13-14 miles of hiking in our day.

The hike to Wheeler peak was around 3000ft of ascent and around 8 miles from car to car. We were amazing by the beauty of the Great Basin and I can see why this place has now become a major attraction in the central Nevada region.

swirling walls in Checkerboard Canyon.

Checkerboard canyon is one of the most exotic of all Zion Canyons within the park due to its remoteness, the time it takes to complete the route, and the geologic diversity it offers to the few who visit this canyon.

Heather and Paige look on as James descends down into Checkerboard Canyon.

The word, VARIETY shines in the morning light when Checkerboard comes to mind and this canyon provided some of the most variety of any Zion canyon.

James preparing for the approach to checkerboard canyon.

The Canyon is well protected with many natural filter that keeps most people away from its four mile approach to the first rap.

James, Andy, and Clint on the Dakota Ridge approach to Checkerboard Canyon.

The approach requires bushwhacking through the east end of Zion to gain access to checkerboard canyon.

Paige, Heather, Andy, and James on Dakota Ridge and on the way to Checkerboard canyon

Once in the canyon the majestic sandstone walls dominate the scenery as the terrain changes from large gorge corridors to narrow cavernous passage and everything in between.

looking out to where we are going to end up by the end of the day.

The canyon itself has three different segments that bring a unique personality to the route and to each of the three segments.

getting closer to the first drop.

If you are looking for a remote adventure and a long day while getting a taste of jut about every aspect that a Zion canyon offers with the exclusion of keeper potholes than Checkerboard canyon might be a great option to consider.

Blooming cactus flowers on the approach.

Our group consisted of 6 people, Clint Poole, Andy Orr, Heather Sabatello, Paige Gilmore, and James Edwards. We got a early start on the Dakota Ridge trail and made it to the ridge shortly after.  The trail diminishes and route finding becomes an equation of map reading, GPS line plot consideration, and a bit of debate.

First drop in Checkerboard canyon

In the resolute, following the ridge either by handle baring in parallel to it or traversing the slopes of the ridge will take you to the canyons top drainage.

Heather about to drop over the first rap in Checkerboard Canyon.

Once you get into the drainage you follow it down to the first rap and the amazing views of the canyon below.

Andy coming done the first drop in Checkerboard canyon.

The first drop is around 180 feet and follows a near sheer wall to the bottom.

Heather in Checkerboard canyon.

The following 11 drops are short and consist of a lot of awkward starts and a bit of team work.

Checkerboard Canyon

Once we got down a few more raps the view of a huge varnished sandstone cliff dominates the canyon and brings a different look to the canyon.

The beautiful walls of Checkerboard canyon

Soon after, we drop into the first narrow corridor and the views change into some swirling sandstone walls with beautiful fire like coloring reflecting off of the ceiling.

dropping into one of the narrow sections of checkerboard canyon.

The walls and the wave like sandstone depict a frozen waterfall of time like rings in a tree to the drainage that this canyon provides the region.

Andy in the narrow section of Checkerboard canyon

This is not a place you want to be in even if there is a 20 percent chance of rain.

Heather coming out of a narrow section in checkerboard canyon.

We encountered a few down climbs and a few more raps until we came out into a open area within the penitentiary of Checkerboard canyon.

Checkerboard canyon

We worked out a few more raps and came to a section where there were some sketchy starts.  These awkward starts made the pull easier but could cause concern for people getting on rope.

James in Checkerboard Canyon

Meat anchors and backups became a common practice, we also had an anchor changed as we found it to be a bit tossed from the torrents of water that come through here.

Clint in Checkerboard canyon.

Once we got through this section the corridors narrowed up once again and brought another perspective to this ever changing canyon.

Paige getting ready for another narrow section in checkerboard canyon.

This is really fantastic as you can get a little bit from what we typically find in Zion canyons, all in one canyon.

one of the sketchy small drops in checkerboard canyon.

We worked through a few more down climbs and started to run into a bit of water

Heather in Checkerboard canyon.

It was shallow but as we progressed on down and into the final section of narrow passage, the canyon walls got really close, and the water got a bit cold.

Beautiful narrows in checkerboard canyon

some of us put on wet suits while other just left it in our bags and just used it for the Nordic benefit of carrying extra weight.

coming out of a narrow section in checkerboard canyon.

We got down through a few drops with water exits and came to another clearing in the canyon. 

a bit of sunlight in checkerboard canyon

We could hear the echoing roar of the narrows reflecting the sounds of running river water through the massive canyon walls.

towering gorge walls in checkerboard canyon.

The temperature started to peak into the 90s just in time to reach the swimmer and a cold cavernous section of Checkerboard canyon.

narrow corridors in checkerboard canyon.

Soon after, we came to the final raps, one was a bit over 100ft and the final rap is 205ft.

James checking out a drop in checkerboard canyon.

We used a 135ft rope for the second to the last rap and a pull was made mid rap to ensure that the rope could be worked around the corner and from the branches.

Heather dipping into some cold water in Checkerboard canyon.

The last rap was a 205 feet drop into a very interesting flute that was almost like a small and "c" shaped pipe.

andy coming down into a cold pool of water in checkerboard canyon.

Heather was the only one that went through the inside of this C flute as the others did not feel like fitting through the flute.

inside a cavern like passage in checkerboard canyon.

The sun was hot and the trees had a super green color to them as the sounds of the white noise reverberated across the towering canyon corridors of the narrows.

Andy rappelling the second to the last rap in Checkerboard canyon.

What a fantastic canyon and a swift run through this canyon.  The only thing stopping us from burgers and beer was a 6-7 mile hike down the narrows.

Paige and Andy in between the second to the last and the last rap in checkerboard canyon.

We came out nearly at camp 10 where hikers would traditionally camp for the night but as some hikers were passing by with their tents, we had ambitions to get back to the temple and get into town. 

James going over the last drop in Checkerboard Canyon.

We headed out down stream over countless river crossings and slippery rock as we passed by camp 11 and 12, eventually stopping at Big springs.

The team hiking out of the Zion Narrows

Continuing on, the narrows was absent of the crowds of people that come through as the sun started to set but never lost its charm and majesty as we were encased in solid sand stone walls that towered over 1000 ft. above us.

Taking a break in the narrows

We passed by Wall Street, the Imlay canyon, exit, and the Not Imlay canyon exit as we got closer to the temple. Mystery canyon came into view along with people heading out of the canyon before nightfall came upon them.

Zion Narrows.

After 14 hours of hiking, canyoneering, and more hiking down the narrows, we made it to the temple and headed out of the park.  I wouldn't say I would do this canyon again but I do recommend this for the people seeking an epic adventure and looking for a lot of variety, more like a buffet of all the flavors of canyon that Zion offers.

Heather walking through "Wall Street" with the hue turning the rock into a fire like pink color in the Zion Narrows.

Little Jamaica is a surprisingly beautiful oasis just outside of Mesquite at the Nevada / Arizona border.

 Warm spring water comes out of the ground with a high calcite content that turns the hillside into a gorgeous karst feature of active flowstone and rimstone dams, some of which have pools of water big enough to swim.

Hanging gardens and flow stone formations hang from the ceiling as water drips down while surrounding yourself with a beautiful green room of water and ferns.

Unfortunately, the close proximity to the highway and the ease of access has started to turn this lovely gem into a trash ridden and filthy place.

Broken glass and garbage pile up in the parking lot and drift through the gardens with such a foul presence, that it leaves a human element of disregard to our environment and respect for one another. .

It is a shame to see this unusual anomaly and rare natural occurrence treated like a public bathroom so please take your garbage with you and appreciate this place as it was a piece of your property. 

I highly recommend visiting the falls and enjoying the water as it is a warm and refreshing place to stop or stay at for the day. 

be careful walking on the rim stone dams as they are slippery.