Northgate Peaks Trail in Utah Offers Experiences for All Seasons

Edward Abbot Ravenscroft is a shareholder for Abbott Laboratories located in Chicago, Illinois. An active individual, Edward Abbot Ravenscroft enjoys hiking on trails across the country, including the Northgate Peaks Trail at Zion National Park.

Located near Springdale, Utah, Zion National Park provides visitors with an opportunity to view animals and plants along its numerous trails. The Northgate Peaks trail is in the Kolob Terrace section of the park and gives hikers a way to get away from the crowds and relax in the cooler areas of the park. The four-mile trail weaves through pine groves and ends on a knob of volcanic rock.

Depending upon what time of year they traverse the trails, hikers should keep seasonal adjustments in mind.

Spring: Hikers should dress warmly since the higher elevation brings about cooler temperatures and snow or ice. During the early part of the season, check with park officials about the conditions of the trail before embarking on a hike.

Summer: The trail tends to be busier in the mornings since it is the access trail to The Subway. It is best to avoid the trail in the middle of the day due to the heat.

Fall: This is perhaps the best time of year to hike this trail, with cooler temperatures allowing for all-day hikes.

Winter: Significant snowfall may affect the trail and road. Hikers may want to cross-country ski instead.                            

Bryce Canyon - An Area of Unique Geologic Features

Edward Abbott Ravenscroft is an avid traveler who enjoys visiting destinations throughout the Northwest, California, and Southwest. Many of Edward Abbott Ravenscroft’s favorite hiking trails are in locations such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Situated in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon is a relatively small natural area that is named after early Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce.

Spanning 56 square miles, the park is most well-known for its geologic features and is not (contrary to its name) a canyon. Situated on the Paunsaugunt Plateau’s southern edge, a number of natural amphitheaters have been carved over the millennia by elements such as rainwater and frost wedging. Other distinctive features inhabit the limestone Claron Formation, including fins, slot canyons, and hoodoos, or natural spires. Abundant wildlife inhabits the region, including the endangered California condor and Utah prairie dog. The park also offers some of America’s most unspoiled atmospheric conditions and is ideal for star gazing.