Erik Molvar - Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks: A Guide to Southwestern Utahs Greatest Hikes, Fourth Edition (Falcon Guides. Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks)

Erik Molvardiscovered backpacking while working on a volunteer trail crew in the North Cascades of Washington. His experiences led him to choose a career in the outdoors, and he soon found himself studying wildlife biology at the University of Montana. His studies there were followed by a master of science degree from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where his groundbreaking research on the behavior and ecology of moose was published in several international journals. Erik is currently a professional conservationist in Laramie, Wyoming. His other FalconGuides include Hiking Arizonas Cactus Country, Hiking the Bob Marshall Country, Hiking Colorados Maroon BellsSnowmass Wilderness, Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park, Hiking the North Cascades, Hiking Olympic National Park, Hiking Wyomings Cloud Peak Wilderness, and Wild Wyoming. He also is the author of Scenic Driving Alaska and the Yukon(Globe Pequot Press) and Alaska on Foot: Wilderness Techniques for the Far North.

First of all, we would like to thank the residents of Long Valley for their outstanding hospitality during the course of our research. Myrna Cox and her family, of Glendale, were particularly helpful in our search for a place to live. Thanks also to Cleve and Lorene Esplins and to the Chamberlains for sharing their fascinating stories. Kent Traveller of Dixie National Forest and Steven Robinson of Cedar Breaks National Monument were wellsprings of information about their respective areas. Thanks also to Rod Schipper of the Bureau of Land Managements Kanab office for his geological insights. Dan Habig of Zion National Park provided interpretive information for this book, and Jerry Davis oversaw the review process for that part of the book. Special thanks to Steven Floray of the Zion Museum for tracking down the origins of the Left Fork dinosaur tracks. Thanks to Paula Henrie of Bryce Canyon National Park for reviewing the Bryce Canyon section. Thanks to Brian Moe, Peter Densmore, and Clay Stewart for assistance with revisions. We also would like to thank our respective families, particularly Kathy, James, John, and Ginger, for their never-ending patience, support, and love throughout all of our adventures.

Kanab Field Office

669 South Hwy. 89A

Kanab, UT 84741

(435) 644-1200

www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/kanab.html

St. George Field Office

345 East Riverside Dr.

St. George, UT 84790

(435) 688-3200

https://www.blm.gov/office/st-george-field-office

Powell Ranger District

225 East Center

Panguitch, UT 84759

(435) 676-9300

Supervisor

Dixie National Forest

1789 North Wedgewood Ln.

Cedar City, UT 84721

(435) 865-3700

www.fs.usda.gov/dixie

Bryce Canyon National Park

PO Box 640201

Bryce Canyon, UT 84764-0201

(435) 834-5322

www.nps.gov/brca

Cedar Breaks National Monument

2390 W. Hwy. 56, Suite 11

Cedar City, UT 84720

(435) 586-9451

www.nps.gov/cebr

Zion National Park

Springdale, UT 84767-1099

(435) 772-3256

www.nps.gov/zion

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

PO Box 95

Kanab, UT 84741-0095

(435) 648-2800

https://utah.com/coral-pink-sand-dunes-state-park

Most hikers realize the importance of a good checklist once they are on the trail: What you have forgotten to pack may turn out to be only an inconvenience, or it may pose a serious problem. A good checklist will help you remember the essentials.

The list below is only a suggested list. Use it to create your own, based on the nature of your hike and personal needs. Items will vary depending on whether you are day hiking or backpacking into remote country. If you are carrying supplies on your back, select items judiciously, with weight in mind.