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and Goingoutside.com

Edward's Backcountry Site

Here's a site I made about the backcountry and about backpacking in the backcountry.

These items are very important to bring with you to the woods.

STRING
Carry some good strong string in your pack. It is very useful for a number of things. You will need it on every single outing guaranteed.

FOOD
Don't get those dehydrated bags of camping food. Just bring plenty of rice. Just eat beef jerky for meat and some carrots for veggies and your all set.

FISH NET
In most states you're not legally allowed to fish with a net without a commercial fishing license, but in a life and death emergency who cares. With a fishing pole and a hook you could spend all day and still not get any fish. With a net you will catch fish within minutes, I guess that's why it's illegal.

WATER
You need to keep hydrated in the wilderness, your body works better when you're not thirsty, when you get thirsty you've already wasted a lot of energy without even noticing. The trick is to take a little zip of water as often as possible so you never get thirsty in the first place.

FIRE TOOL
You need to be able to make fire. The easiest way is to bring some cheap disposable plastic cigarette lighters with you. Always bring a few for backup even though they rarely break, not even if they get wet. I usually bring three but I have never even had to use the backup lighters, but since they weigh practically nothing it's OK.

TARP
A lot of hikers will tell you that there's no need for a tarp, but a small one is really good to have around for all kinds of things such as making a quick rain shelter.

CAMPSTOVE
I tried a Stratus Trailstove a couple of years ago and I haven't used anything else since. It's unbeatable, it burns wood which many people seem to think is primitive, I agree it's primitive and it works great. Why should we have to bring compressed gas to the wilderness when people were doing just fine for thousands of years with wood. It weighs less than a pound and costs $19.95, need I say more? Just get one and your hiking will be easier in every way.

MAKE A SHELTER

Find two 4 foot sturdy branches with "Y" shapes at the ends.

Find an 8 foot sturdy branch.

Pu the branches together into a pyramid with the longer branch towards the wind, make sure that they're securely joined, tie something around the top if you need to.

Line the two long walls with ribs consisting of branches resting against the long branch.

Cover the two long ribbed walls with smaller branches.

If you want to and you have plenty of time you can prepare the ground under the shelter ahead of time by digging down a few inches and burning a fire on the ground for a few hours and then covering the coals with the dirt from the dig. This way the ground in your shelter will be warm and dry all night long.

Zion National Park

Springdale, UT

Protected within Zion National Park's 229 square miles (593.1 km) is a spectacular cliff-and-canyon landscape and wilderness full of the unexpected including the world's largest arch - Kolob Arch - with a span that measures 310 feet (94.5 m). Wildlife such as mule deer, golden eagles, and mountain lions, also inhabit the Park. Mukuntuweap National Monument proclaimed July 31, 1909; incorporated in Zion National Monument March 18, 1918; established as national park Nov. 19, 1919.

CONTACTS

Email - ZION_park_information@nps.gov

Fax- 435-772-3426

Write to
Zion National Park
SR 9
Springdale, UT 84767-1099

Phone
Visitor Information - (435)772-3256
Headquarters - jobinfo 435-772-0154

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
During summer months, the visitor centers are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Spring, fall and winter hours are shortened. Some visitor centers are closed on some federal holidays. Call our 24 hour number for current updates at 435-772-3256.

Getting There
PLANE - The closest airport is in St. George, UT, 46 miles (74.1 km) from the park.

CAR - The Visitor Center at the Kolob Canyons entrance is accessible from I-15, exit 40. I-15 passes west of the Park and connects with UT-9 and 17 to the Park. US-89 passes east and connects with UT-9 to the Park. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance from the Park's South Entrance adjacent to Springdale.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Public transportation to the park is not available.

Weather & Climate
Be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Temperatures vary with changes in elevation and seasons. Day/night temperatures may differ by over 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spring weather is very unpredictable. Stormy, wet days are common, but warm, sunny weather may occur too.

Precipitation peaks in March and September. Spring wildflowers bloom from April through June, peaking in May.

Summer days are hot (95-100 degrees F.), but overnight lows are usually comfortable (65-70 degrees F.) Afternoon thunderstorms are common from mid-July through mid-September.

Storms may produce waterfalls as well as flash floods.

Fall days are usually clear and mild; nights are often cool. Autumn color displays begin in September in the high country, and in Zion Canyon in early November.

Winters in Zion Canyon are fairly mild. Winter storms bring rain or light snow to Zion Canyon, but heavier snow to the higher elevations. Clear days may become quite warm, reaching 60 degrees F.; nights are often in the 20s and 30s. Winter storms can last several days and cause roads to be icy, especially on the east side of Zion. Zion roads are plowed, except the Kolob Terrace Road, which is closed in winter. Be prepared for winter driving conditions from November through March.

Accessibility
Both visitor centers and Zion Lodge are fully accessible to those with special needs. Several campsites in the South Campground are reserved for people with disabilities and three trails are accessible. Many interpretive talks are accessible. The 1-mile (1.6 km) Riverside Walk, which begins at the north end of Zion Canyon Drive, is paved and accessible with assistance. The 2-mile accessible Pa'rus Trail was opened in 1995.

Getting Around
From April through October, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is accessible by shuttle bus only. The rest of the park remains open to private vehicles.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
AUTOMOBILE
$20 for 7 Days

COMMERCIAL TOURS
$35.00 to $190.00 for 7 Days
Fee is based on vehicle capacity. ranges from a car to a full size bus

PEDESTRIAN/BIKE
$10 for 7 Days
Per Person, not to exceed $20.00 per family

ZION PARK PASS
$40 for Annual

Special Use Permits
BACKCOUNTRY PERMIT
$5 for One Time
for Subway reservations call (435) 772-0170 1 Month ahead of your visit. Coming Soon! Internet Backcountry Reservations are coming Spring 2002!

TUNNEL ESCORT
$10 for 7 Days
Required for all vehicles and trailers 7'10" wide and/or 11'4" tall.

CAMPING

Lava Point Campground
First come, first serve only 6 sites primative about 1 hour from main canyon of park
For More Information on this campground please call 435-772-3256

South Campground
April 1 through October 31
First come first serve no hookups no showers $14.00 per/night ($7.00 w/G. Age - Access)
For More Information on this campground please call 435-772-3256

Watchman Campground
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Tent: $14.00 night ($7.00 w/G. Age - Access) Elec.: $16.00 night ($8.00 w/G. Age - Access) Group: $3.00 per/person, per/night no showers

LODGING

Zion Lodge
For More Information on this lodging please call 303-297-2757

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

STRING		Carry some good strong string in your pack. It is very useful for a number of things. You will need it on every single outing guaranteed.
FOOD		Don't get those dehydrated bags of camping food. Just bring plenty of rice. Just eat beef jerky for meat and some carrots for veggies and your all set.
FISH NET		In most states you're not legally allowed to fish with a net without a commercial fishing license, but in a life and death emergency who cares. With a fishing pole and a hook you could spend all day and still not get any fish. With a net you will catch fish within minutes, I guess that's why it's illegal.
WATER		You need to keep hydrated in the wilderness, your body works better when you're not thirsty, when you get thirsty you've already wasted a lot of energy without even noticing. The trick is to take a little zip of water as often as possible so you never get thirsty in the first place.
FIRE TOOL		You need to be able to make fire. The easiest way is to bring some cheap disposable plastic cigarette lighters with you. Always bring a few for backup even though they rarely break, not even if they get wet. I usually bring three but I have never even had to use the backup lighters, but since they weigh practically nothing it's OK.
TARP		A lot of hikers will tell you that there's no need for a tarp, but a small one is really good to have around for all kinds of things such as making a quick rain shelter.
CAMPSTOVE		I tried a Stratus Trailstove a couple of years ago and I haven't used anything else since. It's unbeatable, it burns wood which many people seem to think is primitive, I agree it's primitive and it works great. Why should we have to bring compressed gas to the wilderness when people were doing just fine for thousands of years with wood. It weighs less than a pound and costs $19.95, need I say more? Just get one and your hiking will be easier in every way.