Last week my sister Rachel and I took a quick trip to Zion National Park. We had a blast, as we always do traveling together. Here's some notes and photos from our trip:
We left Portland early Tuesday morning and flew to Las Vegas. We rented a car and drove around the city, stopping for lunch at "In n Out" before hitting the road. It's about a 3 hour drive to Zion, traveling from Nevada, through a bit of Arizona, to Utah. We stayed in Springdale, which is just outside the park. We checked into our Bed and Breakfast and then hopped the 
convenient shuttle to the park. Most of the year, cars are not allowed inside most of the park but they have a great shuttle bus system that we took full advantage of. We rode to the end of the line, checking out the park and then got off for a hike along Riverside Trail, which is along the Virgin River. We hiked to the beginning of The Narrows, which is where the canyon is so narrow you have to walk in the river. It was cold (40 degrees) so we only went a short way but it was very scenic and fun. Then we took the shuttle back towards town, spotting wild turkey and deer along the way. Another short hike took us to the viewpoint for the Court of the Patriarchs, three large stone peaks. We grabbed some dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Springdale and soon hit the hay.
convenient shuttle to the park. Most of the year, cars are not allowed inside most of the park but they have a great shuttle bus system that we took full advantage of. We rode to the end of the line, checking out the park and then got off for a hike along Riverside Trail, which is along the Virgin River. We hiked to the beginning of The Narrows, which is where the canyon is so narrow you have to walk in the river. It was cold (40 degrees) so we only went a short way but it was very scenic and fun. Then we took the shuttle back towards town, spotting wild turkey and deer along the way. Another short hike took us to the viewpoint for the Court of the Patriarchs, three large stone peaks. We grabbed some dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Springdale and soon hit the hay.
Wednesday dawned clear and we were excited for a full day of hiking. We set out to hike the trail to Angel's Landing. This is a five mile round trip hike with a 1500 foot elevation gain. All the signs warn it is not for those afraid of heights as the trail has steep drop offs and is less than four feet wide in spots. We were up for the challenge! The beginning is an easy stroll along the canyon floor and then the fun begins, with numerous switchbacks up the hill, a drop into aptly named "Refrigerator Canyon" and then on to Walter's Wiggles, a series of 
20 switchbacks cut into the rock. Up higher we hit Scout's Landing, the turn around point for anyone nervous about the last half mile. This was where the real fun began- climbing up and over rocks with chains placed in the rock to assist you, and steep drop offs on all sides. We were very excited to reach the top and see the glorious view. Then came the hike down, which was harder than going up along the steep climb.
We used the chains as much as possible. We finally made it to the bottom and took a well-deserved rest. Not wanting to waste our time in the park, we set off on another hike, this time to Emerald Pools. There are three pools, Lower, Middle and Upper and we saw them all in a 2.5 mile loop. The views were great of the canyon and all the amazing rock formations. After this hike, our feet were killing us so we took the shuttle back to our room and got some take out food for dinner. After a rest we wanted to see more 
so we took the rental car to drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway. This road has a mile long tunnel that was built in the 1930's. After the tunnel we stopped for the Canyon Overlook hike. This is a fun hike along the sandstone to a gorgeous view of the canyon. We got there just as the sun was setting and clouds were rolling in and the view was fantastic. Then it was time to head back and get some sleep!
20 switchbacks cut into the rock. Up higher we hit Scout's Landing, the turn around point for anyone nervous about the last half mile. This was where the real fun began- climbing up and over rocks with chains placed in the rock to assist you, and steep drop offs on all sides. We were very excited to reach the top and see the glorious view. Then came the hike down, which was harder than going up along the steep climb.
We used the chains as much as possible. We finally made it to the bottom and took a well-deserved rest. Not wanting to waste our time in the park, we set off on another hike, this time to Emerald Pools. There are three pools, Lower, Middle and Upper and we saw them all in a 2.5 mile loop. The views were great of the canyon and all the amazing rock formations. After this hike, our feet were killing us so we took the shuttle back to our room and got some take out food for dinner. After a rest we wanted to see more 
so we took the rental car to drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway. This road has a mile long tunnel that was built in the 1930's. After the tunnel we stopped for the Canyon Overlook hike. This is a fun hike along the sandstone to a gorgeous view of the canyon. We got there just as the sun was setting and clouds were rolling in and the view was fantastic. Then it was time to head back and get some sleep!Our last day in Zion was a bit slower, due to our aching muscles. We took the shuttle to the trail to Weeping Rock and enjoyed the stroll. We watched the movie at the Human History Museum and checked out the lodge and the Visitors Center. Then we bade Zion goodbye and
hit the road again. On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at Valley of Fire State Park. This is more amazing rock formations, brightly colored and rising abruptly out of the desert. We did a couple of short walks, clambered around on the rocks, and admired the sandstone and the petroglyphs. A drive along Lake Mead and by more amazing geology brought us into Las Vegas. We checked into our hotel and did a drive down the Strip, but decided we preferred the natural beauty of the parks to the hustle and bustle of Vegas. We flew home the next day, tired but our minds full of all the beauty we had seen.
hit the road again. On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at Valley of Fire State Park. This is more amazing rock formations, brightly colored and rising abruptly out of the desert. We did a couple of short walks, clambered around on the rocks, and admired the sandstone and the petroglyphs. A drive along Lake Mead and by more amazing geology brought us into Las Vegas. We checked into our hotel and did a drive down the Strip, but decided we preferred the natural beauty of the parks to the hustle and bustle of Vegas. We flew home the next day, tired but our minds full of all the beauty we had seen.
2 comments:
great pics and I am happy you had a good time, you desrve it!
Susan, This is Rachel's friend. She sent me your blog so I could read about your Zion trip. I loved the photos and saved a couple of them for possible paintings -- I've been painting southwest scenes recently. Hope that's okay!
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