ZION NATIONAL PARK-HIKING OBSERVATION POINT

We nearly completed hiking all the trails around Zion Nat’l Park.  Observation Point is the last one left to do.  This hike will take us majority of the afternoon for it’s 8 miles long and approximately 5 hours.
We decided to go after lunch, even though the temps are to reach near 90 degrees.  Brian made us a good portion of Spaghetti to get our energy level up for this Strenuous hike.  Although not nearly as dangerous as Angels Landing, it does take us higher up in elevation with many switchbacks.
We started out by getting dropped off at the Weeping Rock and ascending from there.  We came to the 2nd split in the trail where Hidden Canyon goes one way and Observation Point the other. 



As we climbed we wonder which direction the trail was going to take us in.  Then all of a sudden we started inside of a canyon.  This became the Echo Canyon which was so amazing.  This portion of the trail could literally trap folks if on the wrong side.  You walk literally into a creek bed, and during flash flooding, there would be no way in or out of this canyon.  I don’t think we had any worries this day of flash flooding.

 

When we first got on the trail, we mostly had lots of shade, so we didn’t feel the temp as it was rising and nearing the upper 80’s.  Once we got past Echo Canyon, we again started the steep ascending and no more shade.  We could feel the difference in elevation and the heat coming on.  We did bring along plenty of water to keep us hydrated for this lengthy trip.
We had many, many switchbacks and what surprised us the most, is the fact that we started to go on the backside of the canyons and not in the direction we assumed it would head us in to.  The summit that we thought we would reach, wasn’t the one either, but the summit that many climbers love to climb in front of  Temple of Sinawava.  As you see in the picture below and where the red arrow is, we still have that much more to go!



The trail did become narrow with very steep drop-off.  Again this hike wouldn’t be for anyone fearing heights, for when you looked at the bottom, it could be frightening.



I have to admit there were a few times we literally thought of turning around and heading back down, but then we thought we were this far and wasn’t about to give up.  We just took many breaks to slow our heart rates and catch our breaths.
We came across parts of the trail that recently had some land slide and thought to ourselves how dangerous a landslide could be if traveling on this trail during one.

   

As we near the top of the summit, the landscape really took a turn on us.  It appeared at one point in the last couple of years that they had a fire.  Not sure if it was done by lightning or from neglect, but the scarring was evident. 



Instead of rock and portion of old cement, we now traveled on heavy sand as the trail took a turn as we neared the summits end.



After what seemed a very long time, we neared the end.  Was it all worth it?  Oh yeah!!!  The view was breathtaking and if we would have done this trail before Angels Landing, we probably would have bailed out doing that trail.  The view that we got of Angels Landing was speechless to us!  As we looked down upon it, we still to this day, cannot believe we actually climbed Angels Landing…

The Red arrow indicates the beginning of Angels Landing from Scout Lookout.
Red arrow indicated the top of Angels Landing.
Overview of Zion Canyon from Observation Point
 Temple of Sinawava


We took a brief resting break, drank some more water and had a snack.  Going down we knew would be a little faster than the going up, but as we descended, we thought our toes would literally come out of our shoes!   Across the other side of another canyon we discovered snow still lingering around the pine trees.

 

We made it back down by early evening, completely exhausted and lots of sore muscles-again.  It was time to head back for a long hot shower and to rest our weary bodies. 
We are now done with all the trails.  The one we wanted to do the most is The Narrows.  However due to a raging Virgin River, the Narrows are closed  and probably won’t be open until sometime mid to late June.  The Narrows is only accessible by walking in the Virgin River.  We are told by many that have done this that it’s a very awesome hike and should only be done in summer or early fall.  So maybe some day we will come back and do that one.

SOUTH CAMPGROUND: ELEVATION-4000 FEET
OBSERVATION POINT: ELEVATION-6508 FEET
TOTAL CLIMB:  2508 FEET IN ELEVATION

ZION NATI0NAL PARK-DAY TWO

As we awoke this morning to temps in the mid 30’s, we knew we had come north.  After firing our heater and making a nice pot of hot coffee,  it wouldn’t be long before we were warm once again.
Being a chilly morning, hot cereal was in order before we started out on our adventure for the day.   Because of the cold, Leah won’t  walk very good, so we didn’t feel guilty about not taking her for her daily morning walk.
so immediately after breakfast we headed out to the Visitor center where we waited for our “Ride With The Ranger” trip.  We had to be there 15 minutes before boarding the bus, or we could loose our spot to someone on the waiting list.
The ride started promptly at 9:00am with a loaded bus and a fantastic guide tour.  Our first stop was to a land slide that happened back in 1995 where the Virgin River re-routed itself after days of heavy rain, right in the middle of the road that we were traveling on.  Taking out the road completely, and stranding those at the lodge for over 36 hours.  A path was finally made to get those people out, but only by foot.  Vehicles literally had to be left behind for months, until the road could be rebuilt.  Two years after the work was completed, a mainteince worker was traveling on this same stretch, when he heard a loud crash, shaking the vehicle.  upon looking back, a portion of the road was completely caved in!  No one was hurt, but again, stranding many folks again at the lodge.  Then just this past Dec 2010, due to lots a rain, and a raging Virgin River and fearing a horrible flash flood, Zion Park was evacuated, both the lodge and the campgrounds.

  The remains of the land slide back in 1995
The rebuilding of the river and roadway-hoping this wall will hold the Virgin River in it’s place.


Next stop was to the Court Of  The Patriarchs; the Mormon Settlers is what gave Zion it’s name and naming the peaks of the canyons.  We also stopped at the Lodge which was built back in the 1920’s, burned down in 1966 and rebuilt that very same year.  The only thing that did survive the fire was the fireplace which still remains in the current lodge.
We stopped a few more times along the way, until we reached the end of the road.  The Temple of Sinawava where you got some spectacular view.  One stop just before there, gave us the view of the Great White Throne and Angels Landing, where they do many rock climbing.

Angels Landing
  The Great White Throne
Temple of  Sinawava-end of the road

We got back around 11:00am, grabbed lunch and headed back out on a long hike.  Today’s hike was going to consist of the 3 Emerald Pools, the Kayenta Trail and the Grotto Trail. 
Heading to the first Emerald pool was loaded with school kids and many other visitors from all over the world, so we had to share the path and some points wait for others to pass us.   The first pool called Lower Emerald probably was the most spectacular of all.

  Lower Emerald Pool

The middle pool was nice, but not as spectacular as the first one.  We had planned on taking the Middle Pool Trail back when we were done, but the trail is closed.  Back in Dec, I had mentioned about the heavy rain they received here, it created a mud slide-literally wiping out the Middle Emerald  Pool Trail.  Yet today, the ground is still unstable, and slides are still happening and workers are unable to get in to start doing the repairs. 
Middle Emerald Pool
Middle Emerald Trail-what is left of it

Although part of the trail was closed, we still could get to the Middle Emerald Pool.  But the strenuous part of the hike in its' self was heading to the upper Emerald Pool.  On the way we had already run into on person who injured their knee and another one that was sick due to lack of water therefore dehydrating herself.

 The trail wasn’t easy, but well worth it.
  The Upper Emerald Pool

Coming back down from the Emerald Pools, we split off onto the Kayenta Trail which was also strenuous with steep drop offs.  We ran into a few other travelers, but it was less traveled and we liked that.

 Kayenta Trail


The trail eventually winded itself back down to the Virgin River, where we had a choice of taking the West Rim Trail which takes you to the boy scout lookout and to Angels Landing or taking the trail back to The Grotto Day-Use area; we took the Grotto way.  The Grotto Trail was easy and short, heading you back to the Zion Lodge, where we jumped on the bus and headed back home.  That is after on short detour to the Court Of The Patriarchs for a quick picture.

The Court Of The Patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

When we got back, we were tired, exhausted and new we would sleep well tonight.  Maybe tomorrow we will kick back and relax a little.  But we do plan on doing the Angels of Landing.  That is the most strenuous hike and should not be done under windy conditions.

VIRGIN RIVER CANYON

As we are looking and researching about going to Zion National Park, we discovered an area that we thought we would like to spend a night at.   Knowing that we would be leaving the Lake Mead area and heading down the road early afternoon, we knew this place would be a nice resting spot for the evening.
It’s Called Virgin River Canyon and is run by BLM/Arizona Strip Wilderness.  It’s right off I-15, exit 18 and only half mile off the Interstate.  This section of the Interstate runs only about 27 miles across the Northwest corner of Arizona between Nevada & Utah.

Although Virgin River Canyon is only a short distant off the Interstate, once you are inside the park,you really cannot hear the Interstate noise what-so-ever.  But you will hear the Virgin river roaring across rocks, specially in the spring when run-offs makes the river muddy and high and rapid.


You are surrounded by beautiful canyons that the virgin river created millions of  years ago.  We were told by the host that the only creatures we will probably see are reptiles, birds, and chipmunks.  Long horn sheep's roam the area, but have been pushed farther north into the Zion National Park and surrounding areas.


There is no limit as to how long you can stay, camping fee is $8.00; 1/2 price if have Golden Age/Access or the America the Beautiful passports.  There use to be a dump station, but no longer exist.  There are two loops to the campground, with the upper one being open and the lower one used as overflow or group camping.  Day-Use fee is $2.00 per vehicle.  Clean restrooms through-out the park with water access only at the bathrooms.  When fire restriction is not enforced, the camp host will sell you firewood.  We paid $5.00 for 9 pieces; which did us a nice fire for our Anniversary.

We will remember this nice little spot in our travels, if we ever are in the area again.