Zion National Park
Oct. 1-3, 2006
Zion National Park features
rugged mountain scenery and narrow canyons created by the the Virgin
River and its tributaries. The mountain scenery is magnificent.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive takes you into the heart of the park.
Automobiles are prohibited from this scenic drive during the main
season (April - October); to get into the area you ride the park's free
shuttle buses. They run very frequently and make many stops so it is a
very convenient way to get to scenic spots, trailheads, etc. It
is nice to leave the RV parked at the campground and get around using
the shuttles.
The Drive follows the Virgin River until Sinawava Temple. A mile hike
up river from there leads to the Narrows where the canyon is no wider
than the river - about 20 feet. Some people choose to go further
by wading in the river, but we opted for keeping our feet dry and
turned back.
This deer was spotted just below the Weeping Rock; water flows over the
Weeping Rock and falls from a ledge, creating a curtain of "rain"
landing near the trail below. The photo of the deer was taken shooting
through this curtain of rain, which created the white streaks in the
photo.
We took the hike to the Emerald Pools, which is a series of three
pools. Water from the middle pool streams over a ledge, creating a
waterfall that feeds the lower pool. The trail passes between the
waterfall and the rock face. It would be neat to see this in the
springtime when the volume of water is much greater.
A view of Zion Canyon from the Emerald Pools trail; the Virgin
River is at the bottom of the canyon. The hike to the Emerald Pools,
although moderately strenous, was very enjoyable and really worth the
effort.
Next stop - Death Valley National Park