Checkerboard , Tunnell, Temple of Sinawava & Kolob
Trip Start
Apr 23, 2009
1
2
8
Trip End
May 02, 2009
Zion National Park,
Utah,
United States
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Some accommodations overlook the rim.
The rock formations such as Checkerboard Mesa are more than amazing. Some remind us of Sedona. Lots of pull offs and trails in this area.
Canyon Overlook trail is on this side. It's a do not miss.
The one mile roundtrip Canyon Overlook Trail is on your right, just before the tunnel
View on the East rim
. If you have time for only one hike, this would be the one. Parking can be a little rough, because the trail head is just infront of the famous Tunnel. The trail head is on the right. Senior Citizens and children need just a little more caution on this trail due to some sheer drop offs, "slickrock"- not to be confused with wet rocks- and some steps. Most of the trail is level. The trail you are walking on is ontop of the Great Arch. You will see this from the pull off as you get closer to the bottom of Zion. There is also a good photo shot of one ot the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel windows from this area.
The purpose in the trail, other than getting out of your car and hiking is the reaching the end of the trail. The vista opens to a box canyon, and if you don't drop your jaw, you are too jaded. The "rocks" you will see in Zion are magically before your eyes. If you have binoculars, you can see the cars decending those hairpin curves on Route 9 into Zion.
A metal plaque shows many of the landmarks including Bridge Mountain - the highest peak on the left side of the canyon.
The Zion Tunnel took 11 months and 12 days of blasting, cutting, carving and hauling to make a passengerway thru the cliff
Kim found her truck!
. Crews worked around the clock, and from both sides of the mountain. First, 6 galleries, or huge windows were blasted out of the side of the cliff. A pilot tunnel was then drilled and the debris dumped out of the galleries.
Finally, a ring of holes were drilled into the pilot tunnel at regular interals, the holes filled with dynamite, and the full 22 foot bore of the tunnel was blasted out. It was the longest tunnel of its kind when it was completed. It also had the dubious distinction of being the most expensive mile of road ever built-costing $503,000. July 4th, 1930 it was completed.
This is a double lane tunnel, but if there is a large truck, the double lane becomes a single lane. Large trucks also require an "escort." Trafic does back up, so be prepared to wait, especially during the summer months.
At the end of the tunnel begins a series of switchbacks down the mountain. There is a pull off that gives you the view of a short section of tunnel with a window. Quick stop for the photo and onto the Emerald Pools Trails
Gary and the sign.
.We lucked out again. The Visitor Center has parking. The shuttle bus wait was a couple minutes and we are on the bus heading north to the Zion Lodge.
Across the street is the first trail head. It's an easy 1.2 mile paved trail to the Lower Emerald Pool. Sort of a U-shaped hike up to the face of the cliff. The spray of the small waterfall is hitting us, as the wind just decided to start blowing in our direction. Along with the spray is some light rain. We crowd under the cliff for a few minutes and decide to head up to the Middle Pool.
I'm sure this would be a much better trail IF we had come just after a decent rainfall. Our last stop is the Upper Emerald Pool Trail which does offer some really great scenery of the rock formations.
There is also another waterfall and this "pool" is much larger than the others. This trail has lots of natural rock steps. Some large some small, and a few "blind corners." It doesn't fail to amaze me that parents do allow their young children to run ahead, out of sight, scampering over the rocks with no supervision, when just one slip of a foot could send them tumbling down over the cliff
Kim and the sign
. Then sue the Park System for damages. Then up on to the Middle Emeral Pool trail which connects with the Upper Emerald Pool Trail.
If you are looking for an area to swim...it's not gonna happen. These are very shallow pools, and swiming isn't permitted.
Lunch stop at the Zion Lodge. Typical food. Hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries. Still cheaper than lunch at Disney World!
Then up to the The Temple of Sinawava, the furtherst stop on the bus.But we decided to walk up from the Grotto. With all the towering mountains, wildflowers and the river beside us it was a better choice than taking the bus. How can you be surrounded by nature and not want to be out in it?
We soon learnt that the Temple of Sinawava is not just one peak. We are almost enclosed on three sides by massive mountains rising up to the sky.
Sinawava is the name for the powerful Paiute diety, known as Coyte or Wolf God
Checkerboard Mesa
.The tree large rock formations here are named "The Organ, The Great White Throne, and Angel's Landing.
The paved "Riverwalk" is the most poplular trail. It begins at the bus stop and follows the Virgin River. There are many places along the trail to access the river. It's a quick 2 mile roundtrip jaunt, or could be a lot slower depending on how many times you step into the Virgin river or stop for photos. The river's depth changes by season. It can reach up to 4 feet in places.
If you follow the trail to the end, you arrive at the famous Narrows.
We're walking back. Just can't get on the bus. The scenery is spectacular in both directions. We stop along the river to watch ducks. A condor flies overhead.
We find a waterfall and linger there for a while. It's not on the official Zion Map, so we have it to ourselves. Ok, so I am selfish. Then a hiker invades our serenity, but asks if we want a photo? Yep, and we return the favor by taking his and letting him experience this feeling of serenity
The Mesa
.Then walk down to the river and stretch out on some rocks. Yep, this is a laid back vacation. Never thought I could be so lazy! But it feels good. Now if only someone would appear with a cold glass of wine and some goodies, I'd be in heaven.
A stop at Weeping Rock, then followed the road back to the Visitors Center.
Hmmm. we've still got some daytime left. Gary is looking at the Zion Map.
"Kolab Canyon" he says. There is a reason that I never get to look at the map. It's because I do not read maps well. And that is an understatement. Even with a compas in my hand I will not be able to point north on the map.
So, we're headed right on Route 9 back thru the scenic areas we passed earlier. Then on 17 to 15 getting off at Kolab Canyons Visitor Center. This is part of Zion National Park.
Up the mountain to the crest where we hike a short distance further up the hill. No marked trails, but it's easy to figure out what should be a path.
The scenery here rivals Zion. The biggest benefit is no one seems to use this park so we have it to ourselves. The views are unending into Zion. This would be the perfect place to star gaze or photograph a full moon.
I'd come back here in a heartbeat.
