Pretty amazing rock formations on the way to the falls

Pretty little water fall

Kodachrome Basin

KOA, Cannonville, UT: Headed out this morning to do the mossy cave hike. A pretty little hike along a stream with some amazing rock formations all around. At the end was a pretty water fall. The only reason there is water in this stream at all is because of the early settlers in this valley. Water was always an issue for them and they were subjected to the vagaries of the Paria River which would dry up constantly. So, in 1880 they decided to dig a ditch from the E. Fork of the Sevier River and funnel it to the area we hiked today (which is a natural watercourse) and then continue the ditch down the valley to Tropic (it’s called the Tropic Ditch). The ditch was 13 miles long and they installed hand-made wooden troughs to carry the water to irrigate the fields. Because of this ditch, the valley from Bryce down to Cannonville is now arable land. Pretty amazing I’d say. After our hike we decided to drive to Kodachrome Basin State Park just outside of Cannonville. A very pretty nine-mile drive to where the road dead-ended (the paved road anyway) at the park. At this point the temperature was hovering around 100 to 103. Some nice hikes in there—but way too hot. Drove around looking at the different rock formations. This area was named by a National Geographic expedition in the area in the 40s—I guess because of all the different colors on display here on the rocks and hills. They have a first rate campground here also tucked in to the sandstone spires. However there are no hook-ups. Must have been pretty uncomfortable for the people camped there. Drove back to Tropic, had a late lunch, picked up a few groceries, and then back to cool off and relax.