Zion National Park - Utah

Zion National Park -Utah

After leaving Page, Arizona, we headed West through some beautiful landscapes (and a stone chipped  RV windshield) to Springdale, Utah,  home of Watchman Campground in Zion National Park. Zion is a breathtaking rocky canyon carved by the Virgin River in southwest Utah and one of 5 major National Parks in Southern Utah. Approximately 4 million people visit Zion annually to hike its’ numerous trails (one of which- The Narrows, goes up the Virgin River stream bed in normal conditions) from the valley floor to the tops of the various named rock out croppings, an elevation change of 3000 to 4000’ is all around to enjoy and inspire. We arrived at the South entrance late in the afternoon, after swinging by Safelite Autoglass in St George to have the chip repaired, and using our Senior Lifetime National Parks pass, moved into site A3 in Watchman Campground for the next 5 days.  Setting up camp, putting out chairs, grill, dog bed (bought for Cooper, claimed by CJ) and we were ready to relax and take in the view.

Watchman Campground, ZNP - electric only. 

like Yosemite NP, Zion is very vertical!!

the main canyon goes back for miles!

Our first full day was filled by driving to the far end of the park and hiking The Riverwalk trail, 2.2 miles along the Virgin river. Beautiful. (Btw, we could drive out there as this was the last day the park shuttles were not running). The temps were in the low 40’s which made for great hiking. Then we hopped in the Jeep and drove to Zion Lodge to check it out and buy a snack.

the Virgin River did the carving of this canyon!

We planned to incorporate the drive to nearby Bryce Canyon National Park in our Zion stay, and this was the day to fit it in. (Bryce was forecasted to receive snow starting Sunday!) The drive took us out Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Utah Rt 9, up the canyon walls on a cut into the hillside and through a mile long tunnel and through some more beautiful scenery.

dusting of snow brings out the  checkerboard pattern on rock face

lots of interesting red rock formations to behold!

The trip over Rt 9 to Rt 89 to Rt 12 took us through varied landscapes , any number of which we would be happy to call home. 90 miles later we were checking in at BCNP and beginning the 15+ mile drive to Rainbow Point at 9115 ft!

get ready for what is just behind the trees!

Again, as you gain elevation, you change environments and once again , as we had first experienced down in Texas at Big Bend NP, we went from brush to full conifer and deciduous forests. This time in several inches of snow. The road was in great condition and we parked the Jeep, cracked the windows for Cooper and CJ and walked 50 yards to be amazed!!!

this arch presented a nice photo op

Bryce has thousands of these Hoodoos!

Bryce is breathtaking - plan for 1 day-(2 days if hiking)

Millions of years of erosion have created a most dramatic landscape of Hoodoos, colors and arches,

harder rock layer on top helps create Hoodoos!

On the way back from Rainbow Point, we pulled in a most of the scenic overlooks and did The short hike at Bryce Point. All views are on the same side of the road, so as you drive out to Rainbow point they are on your left. We hit them on the return to the visitor center- no traffic to cross!

Driving back to camp the same route and stopping for gas at Mount Carmel, saw us arrive just before 5pm and with the  temps in the upper 60’s we again sat outdoors and enjoyed the remaining sunlight before dinner.  Of course, Cooper and CJ got their regular rounds through the campground and even across the bridge to the small cluster of shops and outfitters. I was asked by a young man what kind of dog Cooper is (we get that alot) and then he asked where we were from. I said Pennsylvania and he replied my buddy is from Pa. where in Pa? Lancaster County. He’s from Lancaster County. He steered me over to one of the Outfitter Shops, went in got his buddy, who graduated from Manheim Township H S. Again a small world.

We heard from Cindy’s neice Candy, that they had arrived at their hotel at the edge of the park and we  would be seeing them late in the day Saturday after the hiking was done.

Saturday was again a sunny day. Starting out shortly after 8am, we walked over and caught the park shuttle (first day of operation for the new year) out to The Grotto. There we begain our 3 miles of hiking to the Zion Lodge and Emerald Pool. All of the trails in Zion are sans pets save one, so Cooper and CJ got to chill out during our outings.  We would save the pet friendly Pa'rus trail for later on.

small waterfall at Lower Emerald Pool

We kept taking the  easier hikes, including the Weeping Rock. Rode there on the  free Park Shuttle, toke the short hike. to where the  rock appears to be weeping due to the moistures seeping down through the layers hits a denser layer and forces the water out.

Weeping Rock - water seeping year round, a short hike form the  shuttle

On the way back to the campground, we hopped off the shuttle at the Park Museum and viewed the 15 minute movie on the Park. We try to see all the movies at the parks as they have all been extremely well done and informative. Zion was relatively well know by man for some time, with the earlier native peoples , then Piute's, then Mormons taking turns farming the area. Zion became nationally know in the early 1900s after an artist painted the canyon and displayed his works at a big art show back East. People couldn't believe such a place actually existed and started visiting Zion to see for themselves. National Park status came shortly afterwards.

There is a small commercial area springing up just outside the Park entrance and only a few hundred yards form the campground. Here you can get all the gear needed for your hiking adventures, a Latte, basic groceries, take showers and do the laundry. There is also a Brew Pub!

Great place to be on a beautiful day!

All good things must come to an end and we had one more item on our list. To take CJ on the  1.5 mile dog friendly Pa'rus Trail. Cindy drove out to the far end and dropped us off (she surprised us later near the beginning along with Cooper). CJ and I had our water, a must in the dessert! and off we went!

Pa'rus trail goes through the valley beside Virgin River

Cindy and Cooper met us along the way!

some things can't be improved upon

Our stay here at Zion NP was terrific and offered plenty of sights and hiking of all levels to be enjoyed. A stay here off season such as we experienced was tremendous as we did not have to experience waiting for anything and yet the weather was most enjoyable in the  60's and low 70's and plenty of sunshine! A 5 day stay would be nice, a four day stay OK and you can still fit in a visit to Bryce Canyon NP during that time. 

There are more National Parks to come but til then take care!

Cooper and CJ