Zion is mainly divided into two sections: Kolob Canyons on the north west is accessible from I15 and has one road in to one viewpoint and three trail heads. Zion Canyon is located in the south east corner and accessible from road 9 off I15 on the south and off sr 89 on the east. From road 9 on the south Kolob Terrace road runs through the middle of the park to Kolob Reservoir, but most visitors are drawn to the Canyon. We entered by the east entrance.
This is Checkerboard Mesa, 6670 ft.
The east entrance runs through two tunnels--one short and one a mile long. Over sized vehicles like ours are required to have the assistance of the rangers. We paid $15 for two trips through the tunnel. The rangers stop traffic so the over sized vehicle can straddle the middle of the road.
The tunnels have several vista views within the tunnel. This is the Grand Vista.
Once out of the tunnel, the road twists in 7 switchbacks down the mountain. The "cave" below is the Grand Vista view from the second switchback.
Me taking a picture of me taking a picture of the road.
From April 1 to Oct. 30 the park is accessible by shuttle bus only. We first drove south to the visitors center at the south entrance. There is also the Zion Human History Museum close by. After our visit to the center we filled our packs for the day and boarded the shuttle. The shuttle system was created to reduce traffic congestion, parking conflicts, pollution, noise and resource damage. Each shuttle reduces CO2 emissions by over 12 tons per day. The shuttles visit every viewpoint, and park building every 7 minutes, so this is the way to go.
Zion is full of walks and hikes so we decided to see this park on our feet. First we took the Riverside Walk. This 1 mi. paved trail follows the Virgin River along the bottom of a narrow canyon. As the Colorado formed the Grand Canyon, the Virgin formed Zion Canyon. We had met the Virgin before when we went through the gorge outside St. George. Now we met again and enjoyed our lunch where the river entered a gorge. This is actually a water trail which was closed by high water.
The Riverside Walk goes between the mountain wall and the river. All along the wall water seeps and plants grow in what is called hanging gardens.
Lots of waterfalls and seeps make this a very cool and beautiful place.
We were going to skip Big Bend but got off to ogle the rock climbers.
From my bench view, I would not have known these people were there. They were little ants on the wall.
After watching the crazy people for a while, we jumped the shuttle for the next stop and a short walk to Weeping Rock (not pictured) where the trail let to an undercut ledge. Our view was through the dripping and misting water seeps. The real hiking began at the Grotto. We skipped the roadside Grotto Trail and took the Kayenta Trail along the unpaved climb to the Emerald Pools.
The Riverside Walk goes between the mountain wall and the river. All along the wall water seeps and plants grow in what is called hanging gardens.
Lots of waterfalls and seeps make this a very cool and beautiful place.
We were going to skip Big Bend but got off to ogle the rock climbers.
From my bench view, I would not have known these people were there. They were little ants on the wall.
After watching the crazy people for a while, we jumped the shuttle for the next stop and a short walk to Weeping Rock (not pictured) where the trail let to an undercut ledge. Our view was through the dripping and misting water seeps. The real hiking began at the Grotto. We skipped the roadside Grotto Trail and took the Kayenta Trail along the unpaved climb to the Emerald Pools.
The walk was not too difficult until we cut off to the Upper Emerald Pool Trail. This was .6 mile up about a 6% grade over sand and uneven rock. The pool was formed by this seep in the cliff face.
The pools were named Emerald for the alga. In the late afternoon the sun was down over the cliff rim and the pools reflected the cliff faces, turning them brown.
The pools were named Emerald for the alga. In the late afternoon the sun was down over the cliff rim and the pools reflected the cliff faces, turning them brown.
Upper Emerald pool
Down we went to Middle Emerald Pool. We could hear a frog singing here. To my left the pool dripped
over the ledge to the lower pool. Sorry no pic, slight error.
Down we went to Middle Emerald Pool. We could hear a frog singing here. To my left the pool dripped
over the ledge to the lower pool. Sorry no pic, slight error.
From the lower pool we continued on the Lodge. The path ran across the Virgin River via foot bridge.
One side and the other from the bridge.
Footsore and very satisfied with our choice of hikes (about 4.5 miles total) we rode the shuttle for one last stop at the museum. This is very small, but very nice with a large theater and good film about the canyon. Some people might prefer to see the introductory film first, but we liked revisiting the canyon this way. Back at the truck we wound our way back to the tunnel. We took a lot of pictures, but I couldn't resist this little hoo-doo on the way out.
Next time, more touring--maybe.
One side and the other from the bridge.
Footsore and very satisfied with our choice of hikes (about 4.5 miles total) we rode the shuttle for one last stop at the museum. This is very small, but very nice with a large theater and good film about the canyon. Some people might prefer to see the introductory film first, but we liked revisiting the canyon this way. Back at the truck we wound our way back to the tunnel. We took a lot of pictures, but I couldn't resist this little hoo-doo on the way out.
Next time, more touring--maybe.
Louise and Duane
1 comment:
FABULOUS pictures. You two look like Louis and Clark...joke! You are really seeing a ton of sights. Making us wish we would have just travel this summer. But we have to get batteries and some other stuff done in Red Bay. Next year....
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