Zion National Park

The last park we explored during our Southern Utah adventure was Zion. We entered the park from the east where we got to see Checkerboard Mesa. Having studied geology on the east coast I am always amazed at how easy it is to see crossbedding (and other erosional or depositional features).

Before we passed through the Mount Carmel Tunnel we hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail which ends with a view of the lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon. You can see the switchbacks in the road that we were about to take in this photo. There were all sorts of neat outlooks/places to stop along the road so we took our time exploring the eastern section of the park checking out the rocks.

After a tasty dinner in Springdale we rested up for our big day in the park.  Staying in Springdale allowed us to take the shuttle to the visitor center and from there the shuttle into the park. It was a nice break from all the driving we’d been doing.  We took the shuttle to the last stop, Temple of Sinawava, and did the River Walk.

Then we made our way back down the canyon on the shuttle bus getting off at each stop to explore the sites.

We grabbed lunch at the Zion Lodge fast food counter before exploring the Emerald Pools.  Damon headed off on the Angels Landing hike and I opted for the walk with the ranger program because of the blisters on my feet.   After an hour walk along the trail to Observation Point (from Weeping Rock shuttle stop) we made it here.

After a full day in the park we headed back to Springdale.  On our way back up to Salt Lake the last day we hiked the Timberlake Creek Overlook trail in the Kolob Canyon section of the park.  It was great to get one last hike in before the drive back.