Hiking the Grapevine Trail to Left Fork Falls in Zion National Park
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Grapevine Trail to Left Fork Falls in Zion National Park is a beautiful hidden gem off the drive to Zion’s Kolob Terrace that I think makes for a great alternative adventure to some of the park’s busier areas in and around Zion Canyon, like Emerald Pools Trail.
However, on the day I tried to write this article, my adventure was cut short because the Left Fork of the North Creek was flash flooding and covering the trail once I descended down to the river.
Nevertheless, I still feel that the photos down to the river are useful, which is why I decided to share my adventure, as it seemed that the steep descent and ascent back up from the terrace to the river is arguably the most challenging section of the Grapevine Trail.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Grapevine Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Grapevine Trail is located in a little turnout off of Kolob Terrace Road, about 7.3 miles (11.7 km) north of the Kolob Terrace junction in Virgin, Utah.
Google Maps Directions: Grapevine Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Zion
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Zion National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Grapevine Trail to Left Fork Falls
The Grapevine Trail starts on the Kolob Terrace but soon descends steeply to the Left Fork of the North Creek within the first 0.25 miles (0.4 km).
Right about where the trail starts descending the Kolob Terrace, the trail crosses the wilderness boundary.
After a roughly 300-ft. (91 m) descent, turn left to begin hiking up the Left Fork.
I didn’t have long on this trail before.
Needless to say, after two days of heavy rain across the southwest, most of the rivers in area were flooding their banks.
For me, that meant my hike will have to continue when I can return.
Even though it wasn’t meant to be on the Grapevine Trail, the weather cleared up by the next day for one of the most beautiful sunrise hikes on Angels Landing!
More Zion Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Zion National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
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Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
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Discover Cars!
Safety
Zion National Park is widely known for its extreme weather swings.
In the summer, the temperature in Zion will soar well above 100º F for weeks on end, while, on the contrary, the upper elevations of the park accumulate several feet of snow come winter.
Every year, this creates an interesting dynamic, as the snow melts during the day and freezes at night, resulting in extremely hazardous black ice conditions on many popular trails throughout the park, such as Angels Landing – trails where you cannot afford to fall.
To stay safe, always hike with 2-3 liters of water, try to avoid hiking midday during the hot summer months, and prepare for snowy/ icy conditions by bringing micro-spikes during the off-season months (October - March).
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Zion National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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