A Watery Type of Hike in Utah!

When my feet hit the ground I sometimes wonder what am I going to see today? Will it be sunny or rainy? Will I see a beautiful flower adorning the side of a mountain, clinging on as if waiting for me to stop by and say hello? Will I see any wildlife or will they see me? Where will my feet take me on the trail today?

It was a “fall” or autumn type of day. Where the weather felt a touch cooler, with peaks of yellows sprouting around me as the aspen trees were doing its annual changing of the colors. I look up into the sky as we park at a new trailhead, admiring the blue sky and comfortable weather, feeling grateful that hiking weather is beginning.

Today’s trail is called “Kanarra Falls.”

Here are stats about the trail:

Distance: 3.7 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 682 feet

Out and back trail (not a loop)

It is about a 45 minute drive north of St. George, Utah and it was a beautiful drive as the mountains are getting a little bit bigger as we drive north, helping me to feel content with so much beauty in nature God has made for us. As we pull into the small but adequate parking lot, I cannot help but smile, knowing that we are about to see a unique waterfall in a slot canyon. We put our water packs on our backs, walking sticks for me and off we go to pay for our permits. You will need a permit to use this trail as it is a wilderness study area. Click this LINK to access the permit process. It is only $15 per person and ages under 8 are free. No pets are allowed!

At first glance looking up from the trailhead, there was a hill to climb right away. Might as well get the climbing done first. Getting to the top this is what you will see:

I could live with such amazing views as this place in Utah!

Isn’t that a gorgeous view? You can see the Rocky Mountain Range starting to get bigger at this point in Utah. Fall is an epic time to visit Utah as this state is into recreational activities and I mean REALLY into recreational activities! Why not, with the weather so perfect, especially toward the end of October. We felt a little winded when we got to the top, so a refreshing break was what we needed. But no waterfalls yet!

Going down from the hill, I sometimes felt the sun was kissing my skin as it felt tingly and warm from the sun’s rays. I loved it! I think hiking is healing and refreshing, sort of like a “reboot” for the human body as it desires good things like nature and the joy and healing it could bring. The path is nice and simple, mostly dirt and some rocks, so careful footing is essential.

An easy part of the hiking trail with golden aspens around us!

We made it to our first creek or river crossing and you will have more depending on the time of year. The water felt freezing cold despite the warm, but not too warm, October temperature. In some places the water barely covered my shoes and in other places the water was up to my ankles. Not bad at all!

We gently weaved ourselves from one side of the creek to the other, knowing the waterfall was just ahead, and yet I was anxious to see it now. Our shoes got filthy from going into the water and back onto the trail again several times. But I cannot complain about the views! Since it was the fall season, some of the trees had yellow leaves and very few had red. I love red leaves and rarely see them from where I actually live!

A rarity for this desert dweller: red leaves in the Autumn season!

There was a point that we finally were getting close to the slot canyon and you can hear and see more of an increase of the water at this point. Yeah!!! Still, had some walking and climbing over rocks (not too terribly hard), and saw our first waterfall, but not the main one in the slot canyon:

Our first waterfall near the entrance of the slot canyon!

It seemed like eternity but really it was kind of like all of a sudden we were at the entrance of the slot canyon! It was magnificent, something we worked hard to walk through, and water is not easy to walk through.

Loved the colors of the slot canyon walls!

Lots of people are taking photos at the entrance as their accomplishment of finally making it. We proceed in the bitter cold water and carefully place our feet around the rocks or just slightly on them as easily as we can. One slip and into the water we could go! No thank you! My husband’s feet are getting much too cold as his blood has thinned due to blood thinners. It was hard for him to walk in the water as his feet felt like they were frost bitten. Yikes! But he pursued onward and forward until we got to the waterfall, the main attraction.

Me standing inside gazing upwards at the multi-colored slot canyon walls!

I wait patiently, and I usually do not have much patience (my kids and husband would attest to that), as others are taking photos of the slot canyon’s main show. So I get my camera (not my phone), my real DSLR camera, set it up on the tripod and go through the camera settings for long exposure. Long exposure are for photos that you want to capture with a silky look, like water movement. You know how you see some photos with soft waterfalls that look perfect, beautiful and smooth? That is what I wanted to capture:

My perfect photo, even if it is just me that thinks it! The BEST waterfall in Utah!!

I took SEVERAL photos with different settings and luckily no one was waiting their turn to take a photo of the waterfall. It is good practice to take several photos of the same thing cause there might be a “mess-up” in the photos, or several, and it is good to know you might have a perfect one there in your pile of photos. I did take the photo in color but changed it to black and white cause that is my favorite.

There was a ladder to climb to the top of the waterfall and proceed on to finish the trail. Unfortunately my husband could not help me due to his frozen feet as there was a large boulder to climb with no rope or anything to help. I need help! Maybe someday but for now I am satisfied with the hike and the waterfall especially.

The creek to the left, fall leaves in the middle, surrounding a part of our hike, a perfect place to be!

All good things come to an end and it was time to return to the trailhead. Since this is not a loop trail but an out and back trail, we returned the same way we came to the slot canyon. I was sad to say goodbye, but it was time.

I am so grateful to God that I was able to accomplish this trail without any mishaps, except my husband’s poor frozen feet. He did not get frostbitten, but it was hard to walk at times. I am grateful for slot canyons and waterfalls. I am grateful God made so many beautiful things in this world for our viewing pleasure. And there is so much more to see in the world!

What will you see or accomplish today?

Unique steps gracing you with fall leaves and the sound of rushing water nearby!