NEARING THE END….

As our 14 days is soon to be up, it is time to get ready to head to yet another adventure.  Our next stop will be at San Rafael Swell in South Central Utah, near the Goblin State Park.  This is where we will stay until it’s time to head for our final summer destination: Colorado River State Park/James M. Robb in Grand Junction, CO and spending lots of time with our daughter-Lissi (Melissa).
We have enjoyed our stay here at Zion as we learned the history and culture of this area.  As we do travel, our goal is to stay long enough to get the full benefits and to learn of the area.  We seen many folks that came through here, spending only one night and then moving on.  To us, we think, how can you say that you paid $25.00, the entrance fee, plus your camping fee, staying only one night just to say you stayed at Zion-makes no sense to us at all.  You don’t get to enjoy the true beauty of the area or learn it’s history.
We seen many come and many go, some enjoying the spectacular view and even adventuring on the trails, including the famous Angels Landing.  We do know that many don’t have the advantage that we do in traveling, and are only on a short vacation. 
Many also come out to climb the humungous canyon walls as they repel upwards to the top.  Or some come to do what is called  canyoneering, which is repelling downwards deep into the canyon crevice to seek new adventures.  Which means that they also have to wear wetsuits.  Once down, they wade through water until they find an opening.
For us we have enjoyed the challenges in the hikes,                                                                                               watching the repellers climbing the steep canyon walls,                                                                                       even sleeping on the edge-literally….,                                                                                 watching varies wildlife,                                                                       We could jump on the bus anytime from sun up until 10:00pm for free; that takes you up and down the canyon,                                                                                         or do a ranger led program.

One would never really get bored-unless they choose not to enjoy what there is to offer here.  But the most memorable for us will be the hikes that we got to adventure on.  We challenge our bodies as we have never done before.   Angels Landing being the most challenge, but Observation Point being the most strenuous on our body.  Unfortunately the one that I really wanted to do was the “Narrows”; which are closed due to a raging Virgin River.  So I guess that will have to be yet another time when we happen to travel through this part of the area.

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

ZIONAL NATIONAL PARK-HIKING ANGELS LANDING

After taking a few days off allowing the tendons in my foot to heal some, I was ready to get back to hiking.  If winds stay down, our plans were to hike the most dangerous and the most adventurous trail in the National Park Trail System-Angels Landing.  But as we woke early on Tuesday morning, the winds were pretty strong and we weren’t sure if we would be able to do this hike.  As the morning went on, the winds calm down.  So a hearty breakfast was in order to get our energy level up.
Angels Landing got it’s name when a group exploring Zion back in the early 1900’s made a statement that only an Angel could land on it.  Zion’s first superintendent was determined to make Angels Landing a trail that anyone could “land on”; creating many switchbacks to make this happen.  It was completed back in 1924.  To this day, as you walk along and look down at the work it took, you still can see hoof prints of work horses  in the cement work.

 Angels Landing


We jumped on the bus and headed up canyon where we got dropped off at The Grotto.  As we crossed over the bridge of the Virgin River we started the hike.  At first was a gradual climb as we meander along the river.  Then you really started to notice the uphill climb and several times you needed to stop just to catch your breath.  We watched many ahead of us as they started on the many switchbacks heading to what they call Refrigerator Canyon.

 Heading into Refrigerator Canyon


Refrigerator Canyon got it’s name because no matter how hot it is-it will always be cool in between the canyon.  As we walked this long trail, between the canyon walls, we are amazed by the markings on the walls and all the holes and crevices of years past.

 Million of years of natural wonder


We are still climbing in elevation, but back here you don’t realize it, until you get to the second round of switchbacks, and then you really start to climb once again.

One section of the many switchbacks

We finally reached to one section of the mountain called Scout Lookout.  Here there are vault toilets and a nice place to rest.  Many folks stop here and don’t adventure any farther to Angels Landing.  Once you get a view of others starting the actual climb onto the mountain with steep drop-offs on both side, many get freaked out and won’t go any farther.  This was the case the day we went, where several folks took one look and said they had enough.  For us, it was just the beginning of another exciting adventure.  It is definitely not one to due in bad weather conditions, and on the sign below, they should also put not to do during high winds.

As we started across, there came time where if you had the place to “pull-over” and allow those coming down to pass or for those faster than you to pass you up.  As we did this, I turned around and got a good shot of the first part of our climb and couldn’t believe we were doing this.


We came to another area where many had stopped to rest and again, a few had enough and was turning around, not adventuring any farther.  We thought we had just done the scariest part, when we looked and notice that the worse was yet to come.

The front side

In the pictures above, the mountain that you see was still the part we needed to climb up and then it curved and we still yet needed to reach the summit, which is behind this first one. 
The back side


A few days back, someone had just completed Angels Landing and they said there was only a small section where it was shear drop of on both sides, I think this person was trying to convince us that we could do this. After leaving Scout Lookout, we had only 3 feet wide with sheer drop offs on both side, all the way up to the top of Angels Landing.  I would say  probably about 1-1/2 mile hike of heart stopping climbing. 


We did have chains to help hike us up and to guide us for the most part, but there were areas, where there were no chains and you totally rely on good footing and good hiking shoes.




Once on top, the view is spectacular and very well worth the adventure of doing!  but again, not for those fearing heights, young children or anyone with leg, hip or back problems.  On this hike I guarantee you will use every muscle you own in your body and if you are not use to this kind of strenuous hike, you will fill it the next day.


If you are in good shape and love to take small risk, this is one to do.  We saw all ages-except children on this hike.  I was surprise and glad to see Senior Citizens doing this hike.  The younger adults made it look so easy as they jumped along and bounced off rocks, making us “older’ ones holding our breaths.

ZION NATIONAL PARK-AFTER ONE WEEK

We have been here now for one week and we have decided to spend our full 14 days here at Zion.  There is just so much to hike and if you are an avid hiker like Brian and I, then this is the one place to be.
Unfortunately, we had to take a couple of days off  from hiking.  While doing one of our most simpler hikes, I forgot that I was no longer a spring chicken and “jumped” off a rock, causing injury to my right foot.  When I stepped down I felt a pain on the top side, but thought nothing of it, continue on and did other small walks throughout the day. 
Later that same evening (Saturday) after taking my shoe off and then putting it back on, I had some pain and swelling.  Then I notice a bump on the top side that was painful to the touch.  So time to slow down and take it easy.
The next morning (Sunday) I could get my shoe on, with some minor pain; we took Leah for her morning stroll, while trying to side-step and avoid getting run over by bikers on the Pa’rus Trail, I then got sharp pain and the swelling was getting worse.
Now it was time to find an urgent care clinic to get the foot ex-rayed.  We thought for sure it was fractured.  The nearest clinic that was even open on a Sunday was all the way back in ST. George-41 miles away.  Driving was a little painful, since it was the right foot.  But I got there.
After several ex-rays, it was determined that it wasn’t broken or fractured, but instead I have pulled the tendons completely out of whack.  I could continue with my hikes, if I wore this huge boot.  Brian looked at the bottom, and we both knew there would be no way a person could hike with that kind of “sole” on the boot.  The boot was also going to cost nearly $200.00.  I know I could put that kind of money elsewhere.  We opted against the boot and that I would just take it easy for now.
Never did the doctor mention of icing it or elevating it, nothing…So after getting home and doing some research on my own, I have wrapped it, and since doing it, it has pulled the tendons back in place.  So for now I will keep it wrapped tightly until it is healed. 
Yesterday I spent some time walking on level ground and had no pain or swelling, so maybe now I can get back to my hiking.  I am determined to do Angels Landing, the most dangerous hike of them all here at Zion….

ZION NATIONAL PARK-DAY FIVE & SIX

Being the weekend, and temps being a bit cooler than what we would like, we have decided to take a break in hiking, and I’m sure our bodies will be thankful for it.  Surprising enough, neither of us are really sore.  Legs hurt a little at night at bedtime, but nothing that good ole’ Tylenol don’t take care of.
Leah hasn’t been sick anymore, and her weight came back up where it should be.  Maybe she’s happy that we are spending a little more time with her.  We took her for a long stroll yesterday morning and I think she really loved that.
This morning (Saturday), after warming a bit, we took off once again for the tunnel ride and hike.  This time with plenty of battery juice for the camera.  We didn’t run into construction, being it’s the weekend, and traffic wasn’t too bad, at least on the going out part.
We had plan on stopping at the Canyon Overlook Trail, but there literally was no place to park, so we stopped at the End of the entrance to the East Gate of Zion, followed  the East Rim Trail.  That trail goes forever, and we only took it for about 1/2 mile, only in hopes of maybe finding a Long Horn Sheep.  No, we didn’t come across any.
On the way back, we decided if we got a parking spot, we would do that trail, if not, we would just head back to the rig.  A small opening at the one parking lot was just big enough for us to fit in, so we did the trail, and glad that we did.

Canyon Overlook Trail
 

We had no chains but in areas there was a railing along the cliffs edge.  the view was spectacular as was the hike itself.  When we finally reached the overlook, we had a perfect view of the winding road of HWY 9 and looking across the canyon, on the ledge we found the Long Horn Sheep and somehow I manage to capture a good picture of a baby getting ready to nurse from it’s mother.

Mother and baby Long Horn Sheep
The Heard
HWY 9 down below

The rest of today will be spending it resting and walking Leah around the area.  Sunday will be a total day of rest and catch up on other things.  Then I think on Monday we will be ready to try Angels Landing-the most dangerous hike in the Zion National Park. 

ZION NATIONAL PARK-DAY THREE & FOUR

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.