Zion National Park (hikes)

With the busyness of Chicago, I had been looking for some time off away from electronics and away from people if possible.  We flew our hiking boots out West, picked up a car (went hybrid since it felt appropriate), and drove into Utah to Zion National Park.  We stayed right outside the park gates and could easily shuttle into the park to all the trailheads.  We stayed for a few nights and quickly set up a routine of an early breakfast, the first shuttle into the park, a long hike, and then a meal (Bit & Spur, Oscar’s, Jack’s) in the small town of Springdale. We would then figure out how to best use our late afternoon/evening (late hikes, watching the sunset, etc.).

The hikes we did while in the park were:

Emerald Pools – Great short distance hike, with some climbing but definitely a pretty walk under a small waterfall and taking a break by the upper pool.

The Narrows – Incredibly memorable and unique hike as you are mostly walking through the river that is channeling between the two canyon walls on either side of you.  We originally planned to use our hiking shoes for this but after investigation, I found a group that rented us water boots and a hiking stick to help prevent the twisting of any ankles and to make sure our shoes would be dry for our next hike.  I’m told you can go as much as five miles down this canyon before having to turn back but I think we made it less than four.  The going was tough.  At one point we were over our waists in water holding our backpacks above our heads to continue due to how deep the water got.

Note the hikers climbing the wall

Chains to help the climb

Angel’s Landing – Tough hike as far as the elevation change with an absolutely intense (more like obstacle course with chains) last half mile straight up to get to the peak. The resulting views were amazing.  I’ll have Jolene tell you about it someday but I’m told she's made peace with her spirit guide “The Rock Squirrel” out on the final ledge.

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Weeping Rock – We snuck this one in our final afternoon/evening.  It’s a short hike but decent views and a chance to walk up to the canyon wall where water literally weeps down the edge of it to your feet causing discolorations in the rocks.