Slickrock and Shadow

  Poverty Wash glowing slot canyon walls My blog seems to be turning into a homage to Parunuweap Canyon and its' tributaries.  Poverty Wash is another lucky place.  If you make it here, you are lucky.  If you see the walls, wade through shallow but totally clear waters, you are lucky.  If you reach the last section ending in a circular room, you are lucky.   Getting into Parunuweap can be done in several ways.  I've come through Rock and French Canyons.  That's the hard part.  Once you're in, Poverty wash is a walk in the park without any obstacles.   French Canyon short cut into Parunuweap Traditional Route with good photos As you may guess, visiting Poverty Wash is a highlight for anybody's life.  Now that I've explored several sections of Parunuweap (Rock Canyon, French Canyon, Mineral Gulch, Fat Man's Misery and Poverty Wash) I'm thinking Poverty is my favorite of them all.   Poverty Wash curves around smooth...

French Canyon:  The Jungle in Zion that nobody knew existed As I kid I'd watch Indiana Jones movies and wonder at the world's most exotic and adventurous locations.  I'd imagine hacking my way through the jungle to discover an amazing secret spot.  I felt like a kid again this month as I hiked up French Canyon, a branch off of the East Virgin River, also known as Parunuweap or the Barracks. French Canyon begins mysteriously as a slot canyon immediately off of the Virgin River.  A gorgeous tree obscures the view into this narrow slot canyon, yet the clear water flowing over the sandy stream bed invite further exploration.  The canyon remains narrow for 1/3 mile.  In that short distance, you will trek over trees and through vines all the while in a pleasant 2-6 inches of clear water.  Nothing is really difficult.  The obstacles really create a special feeling of mystery and excitement.  Hiking here is fun, beautiful and Indiana-Jonesish....

Fat Man's Misery exits into a warm green bath-like pool!  Go down the waterslide for good time! Green waters thrill me.  I've always thought emeralds were the most beautiful color of green.  This hue exists in Parunuweap Canyon within the green glassy clear waters.  You need a filter to drink the water but no camera filter to get this amazing color!  It's entirely natural and stunning to see. Some pools are blue but for me the most beautiful are these in Parunuweap Green. If you go, bring a dry bag for camera equipment and good shoes.  Also known as "the Barracks", this East Fork of the Virgin River is the most beautiful of the three (Main Fork and North Fork). Green turquoise waters in a deep slot canyon, Parunuweap, Zion Boulder and Pool in Parunuweap