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Utah Hike of the week: LaVerkin Creek — Zion National Park

Directions •From the Kolob Canyons entrance of Zion National Park, pay the fee at the gate and then drive 3.8 miles up Kolob Canyon Road. Stop at the Lee Pass trail head on the east side of the road. The trail head is there.

The wilderness of Zion National Park begins when you step foot on the LaVerkin Creek Trail. From the trail head, follow the trail south down hill. You will crisscross Timber Creek. It may be dry depending on the time of year. The trail takes you through a juniper forest with an occasional grove of aspen or cottonwoods. You'll pass a sign for your first backcountry campsite at 2.34 miles, a sign for a second at 3.1 miles and a third at 3.69 miles. At the third campsite, the trail turns east and there's one more descent to LaVerkin Creek. It's all uphill to get home — a 1,240-foot ascent.