We got to the park before 10:00 and still got a good parking spot and got on an almost empty shuttle. The shuttle has 9 different stops within the park, each one having different trail heads and attractions. We got off at The Grotto and took the Kayenta trail which took us to the Upper Emerald Pool trail with a combined length of 3 miles and an elevation change of 350 feet. They are both rated as moderate trails. We have done lots of walking the past month or so, particularly at Disney, but hiking on trails with even moderate elevation changes left us huffing and puffing a few times. On the way back we took the Grotto trail along the road to Zion Lodge. That was a pretty easy walk which had a reward at the end. A gift shop in the Lodge. From there we took the Sand Bench Trail along the river to the Court of the Patriarchs The Sand Bench Trail is primarily a horse trail which meant we had to be extra cautious where we stepped and at times hold our breaths until we passed a recent deposit, if you know what I mean. Then we took the Shuttle, which by mid afternoon was standing room only, back to the Visitors Centre.
Lori's Fitbit said we did 21,000 steps and 13.5 km. All things considered we felt pretty good once we were done. We plan on heading back next week for a few more days on the trails. One trail we will avoid is Angels Landing which is labeled as Strenuous and after seeing a video of the trail I would say its is absolutely suicidal. In fact 7 people have died on this trail since 2004. The final part of the trail involves walking along a narrow ridge, only a few feet wide, to the summit holding on to a chain guide rail with sheer drop offs on both side. Not my cup of tea.
Saturday we met up with Mark and Jan who were our neighbours in Gold Canyon. They have just started their full timing life and they have some pretty exciting plans over the next few years to tour America. We plan to meet up with them again next year at Gold Canyon and may even join them for a few weeks in the summer of 2018 as they traverse the American mid-west.
Now for some shots of Zion.
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| Over a few million years the Virgin River has cut quite the swath in the rock. |
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| The Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald Pools are fed by waterfalls like this |
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| Some great lookouts along the trail. As the day progressed more people joined us on the trail. At times we felt like it was a race. Not sure why everyone was in such a hurry. |
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| The waterfall filling the Upper Emerald Pool. Quite the drop. |
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| Come back in a few hundred years and those rocks will be turned into sand. |
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| The Virgin River makes its way through the canyon |
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| The shuttle on its way to the next stop. We never had to wait more than about 10 minutes for the next shuttle. |
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| Lots of Mule Deer hanging around just off the trail or walking across the trail right in front of us. |
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| These two were engaged in a staring contest. |
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| It was hard to get pictures that showed the size of the rock walls of the canyon. In most case they were so high and so close I'd get dizzy looking up to the top. |
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| The Lodge would be a pretty nice place to stay. Right in the middle of the Shuttles route and nature all around. |
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| At some point this rock split in half. The sides were very smooth. |
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| This wild Turkey was on the trail in front of us but hightailed it into the bush before I could get a shot. He was huge. Reminded me of the large turkey legs that they sold at Disney. |
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| These mountain peaks were named by a Methodist minister in 1916. From left to right; Abraham Peak, Isaak Peak with Jacob Peak the white mountain peak at the far right. Between Isaak and Jacob is Mount Moroni. Thus the name Court of the Patriarchs. |
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| Lori took this picture just at the entrance of the park. Nice effect with the fence and trail running into the hills. |
A few more days in Hurricane and then we start back for home. Hopefully one more report with some more hiking experiences before we head back.
Till Then
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