On the third day (Thur) we took it easy and didn’t do as much. Needed to give our legs and body a rest before doing any of the strenuous hiking that we are planning on.
We took a morning drive to the tunnels; which was awesome and so amazed by how the canyon walls changed in diversity. We were hoping to spot a long horn sheep and maybe a baby or two. But saw none this time.
Entering the 1.1mile tunnel
Checkerboard Mesa
As we are heading towards the tunnel, I notice that the camera battery was very low and I had taken out the extra battery for the camera and put in the back pack; which we didn’t have along. So pictures would have to be limited. We also was going to take one of the shorter hikes on the other side of the tunnel, but decided to postpone it and do the tunnel drive again later on.
Leah was sick again, starting to wonder if elevation has something to do with it, even though we are only at 4000 feet, we notice that she’s not as active and a little more edgy.
Brian and I took a leisure walk into the small town of Springdale, just outside of the park. There is lots of restaurants, and art galleries and a few outfitters, other than that there really wasn’t anything spectacular in the town.
After supper we jumped aboard the bus and decided to do two short and easy trails. One being Weeping Rocks and the other was the River Walk. Weeping Rocks was nice, but we didn’t really see any of the ferns growing on the rocks as was described. Maybe we are too early in the season for it. We did hear a large boulder fall from over us to the pool below us.
weeping Rocks
The river walk was a very nice walk. It is easy and wheelchair accessible. It’s a mile walk up the canyon to the Narrows. The Narrows are closed and probably won’t open until sometime in June. In order to do the Narrows, the river has to be below a certain cubic feet. You partially walk/swim in the Virgin River when doing the Narrows. Maybe someday we will be back to do that adventure.
The River Walk-The end and entering the Narrows
Waterfalls at the River Walk
Now it’s Friday and we gave our bodies a rest, it was time to try a very strenuous hike. we had decided on the Hidden Canyon Trail. We knew if we were able to do this hike, then we would have no trouble doing the Angel Landing hike on another day. We had a hearty lunch before heading; also took a snack and plenty of water for the both of us.
Doing the Hidden Canyon Trail I would say it is not for anyone fearing heights, very young children, or anyone that has had recent knee, hip or back surgery. Thank goodness for the chains to help you along. So far I have to say this was one the best trails we have been on.
The Hidden Canyon Trail
We got dropped off at the Weeping Rock Trail entrance. Where the trail splits in the beginning; left towards Weeping Rock, straight takes you both towards Hidden Canyon Trail and the Observation Point/East Rim Trail. As we walked, we kept ascending upwards. At one point the trail splits again The Observation Point trail is 8 miles round trip, and that will be done on another day when we pack our lunch with us. So we stayed on the Hidden Trail. As we went up and up, we had many switchbacks. Then came the chains, where you literally walk along the cliff’s edge. You really need to use the chains to help guide you, for the shear drop off was right there.
We are not even half way to the top!
The chains and the cliff’s edge….
Was you entered the mouth of the Hidden Canyon, the maintained trail ends. From there you enter at your own risk. Brian and I decided to climb the obstacles and keep moving forwards. As we got deeper into the canyon, we could hear rocks falling nearby. Many hikers dropped off and didn’t adventure as far as we did, only one other younger couple ahead of us kept going. After a short while, we decided it was time to turn back and head back down the canyon.
The canyon mouth
I decided to climb the walls!
Going back down seemed easier than the going up. We did run into many other adventurers hiking and at points, you have to find a place to “pull-off” and allow the others to pass; specially when it came to the cliffs. For the most everyone was courteous.
When we got back down to the bottom, we ran into the same young couple that went into the canyon ahead of us. They told us that if we would have just gone in a little bit farther we would have reached a arch that are hidden in this canyon. So Brian and I have decided if we get time after doing all the other trails, we may need to go back and to this one again and find the arch.
With the weekend coming up and many more visitors coming into the park, we may lay low for the next few days and spend it with Leah-who by the way hasn’t got sick again now for a day.
We took a morning drive to the tunnels; which was awesome and so amazed by how the canyon walls changed in diversity. We were hoping to spot a long horn sheep and maybe a baby or two. But saw none this time.
Entering the 1.1mile tunnel
Checkerboard MesaAs we are heading towards the tunnel, I notice that the camera battery was very low and I had taken out the extra battery for the camera and put in the back pack; which we didn’t have along. So pictures would have to be limited. We also was going to take one of the shorter hikes on the other side of the tunnel, but decided to postpone it and do the tunnel drive again later on.
Leah was sick again, starting to wonder if elevation has something to do with it, even though we are only at 4000 feet, we notice that she’s not as active and a little more edgy.
Brian and I took a leisure walk into the small town of Springdale, just outside of the park. There is lots of restaurants, and art galleries and a few outfitters, other than that there really wasn’t anything spectacular in the town.
After supper we jumped aboard the bus and decided to do two short and easy trails. One being Weeping Rocks and the other was the River Walk. Weeping Rocks was nice, but we didn’t really see any of the ferns growing on the rocks as was described. Maybe we are too early in the season for it. We did hear a large boulder fall from over us to the pool below us.
weeping RocksThe river walk was a very nice walk. It is easy and wheelchair accessible. It’s a mile walk up the canyon to the Narrows. The Narrows are closed and probably won’t open until sometime in June. In order to do the Narrows, the river has to be below a certain cubic feet. You partially walk/swim in the Virgin River when doing the Narrows. Maybe someday we will be back to do that adventure.
The River Walk-The end and entering the Narrows
Waterfalls at the River WalkNow it’s Friday and we gave our bodies a rest, it was time to try a very strenuous hike. we had decided on the Hidden Canyon Trail. We knew if we were able to do this hike, then we would have no trouble doing the Angel Landing hike on another day. We had a hearty lunch before heading; also took a snack and plenty of water for the both of us.
Doing the Hidden Canyon Trail I would say it is not for anyone fearing heights, very young children, or anyone that has had recent knee, hip or back surgery. Thank goodness for the chains to help you along. So far I have to say this was one the best trails we have been on.
The Hidden Canyon TrailWe got dropped off at the Weeping Rock Trail entrance. Where the trail splits in the beginning; left towards Weeping Rock, straight takes you both towards Hidden Canyon Trail and the Observation Point/East Rim Trail. As we walked, we kept ascending upwards. At one point the trail splits again The Observation Point trail is 8 miles round trip, and that will be done on another day when we pack our lunch with us. So we stayed on the Hidden Trail. As we went up and up, we had many switchbacks. Then came the chains, where you literally walk along the cliff’s edge. You really need to use the chains to help guide you, for the shear drop off was right there.
We are not even half way to the top!
The chains and the cliff’s edge….Was you entered the mouth of the Hidden Canyon, the maintained trail ends. From there you enter at your own risk. Brian and I decided to climb the obstacles and keep moving forwards. As we got deeper into the canyon, we could hear rocks falling nearby. Many hikers dropped off and didn’t adventure as far as we did, only one other younger couple ahead of us kept going. After a short while, we decided it was time to turn back and head back down the canyon.
The canyon mouth
I decided to climb the walls!Going back down seemed easier than the going up. We did run into many other adventurers hiking and at points, you have to find a place to “pull-off” and allow the others to pass; specially when it came to the cliffs. For the most everyone was courteous.
When we got back down to the bottom, we ran into the same young couple that went into the canyon ahead of us. They told us that if we would have just gone in a little bit farther we would have reached a arch that are hidden in this canyon. So Brian and I have decided if we get time after doing all the other trails, we may need to go back and to this one again and find the arch.
With the weekend coming up and many more visitors coming into the park, we may lay low for the next few days and spend it with Leah-who by the way hasn’t got sick again now for a day.
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