In The Desert
Back to
Day Trips
Content including photographs are Copyright © 2009 - Don & Linda Gilmore
Contact us via
e-mail
Back to
Day Trips
Kolob Reservoir
Virgin, Utah
Once you start up the road out of Virgin, Utah toward Kolob Reservoir there is a section of rolling hills like this. To the East you'll be able to see the Western edge of Zion. This area next to the road is famous for Indian caves with petroglyphs. You have to ask permission to enter as this is private land.
Going farther up into the mountains you'll enter Zion National Parks Western boundry. No fee required here. But the scenery is outstanding here in the desert. As far as day trips go this one is more scenic than most.
Here we are at Kolob Reservoir. The elevation at the lake is 8,118 ft. This will remind you of an alpine lake, with a lot of big conifers, and all the wildlife that goes with it. Also a great place to fish for Cuthroat Trout!
A common site here are these birds of prey that are fishing in the reservoir. These birds are big!
Off the main road to Kolob Resvoir to the East are some less traveled roads (dirt, gravel) that you can explore. One goes back to a neat overlook and a antenna on cliff. But on the trip into this area keep an eye out for wildlife - like this squirrel we spotted on the way in.
Here's a view from the overlook. This looking toward Zion National Park - way off in the distance. There are many canyons to be explored here by the avid hiker.
Depending on the time of the year you visit Kolob Reservoir, Utah; you may see the cactus blooming like we did. All along the road on the way back we stopped and photographed dozens of them. Even though it's at a higher elevation you'd think you were in the desert at really low elevations. Very healthy looking specimans too. And all this is only about one and half hours drive from St. George, Utah.
On the way back down out of the mountains you'll get completely different views like this one. Looking into Zion National Park. Day trips like this are fun and very refreshing! Now for a quick stop at the Ghost Town of Grafton.
A lot of the head stones in the desert here are still in great shape, even the smaller ones from the poorer residents. This one is from 1841 till 1866 making him a young 25 year old pioneer.
Have fun ---------
Have fun ---------
On the way into the Ghost Town of Grafton; or on the way out don't miss the old cemetary. There are some neat stories to be had here. Many of the settlers here were killed by Indians and it was noted on their headstones. A famous mans lies here -- you'll just have go there and see for youself what secrets are in the desert here.
The Ghost Town of Grafton is located just across the Virgin River (on the South side) of the town of Rockville - the entrance to Zion Nat. Park. A lot the old buildings are restored, like the one here. Normally a 2 wheel drive can make it back to the Ghost Town of Grafton.
Ghost Town of Grafton
This is an inter-active Maps.google Street Map. You can zoom in / out and change the formats to Satellite or Terrain; drag the map to scroll. Try it! Shown here -- Kolob Reservior and the Town of Virgin.