Day 70-73: Zion National Park
Trip Start
Jun 21, 2008
1
41
42
Trip End
Ongoing
Zion National Park,
Utah,
United States
Friday, August 29, 2008
Today is the day we left Bryce Canyon NP for Zion NP. Before we left, we drove to the end of the park, hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail and took in the morning scenery. We did see a few bristlecone pines, the longest living things in the world. The temp was 47 degrees when we woke up but quickly warmed to 60 degrees.
The drive to Zion NP was nice and fairly short. We came in the East entrance, saw Checkerboard Mesa - very cool - and went through the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. Amy got nervous while we were going through. The tunnel is over a mile in length.
Once we got to the campground we set-up camp and went to the Visitor Center. We rode the free, and mandatory, shuttle to the Natural History Museum and then to the Temple of Sinawava, and hike into the Narrows. The Virgin River felt good walking in because the weather was very hot - like Arches NP. Saw some people repelling down into the canyon - called canyoneering - its own sport. Talked to them on the shuttle bus later. Because it was so hot we had trouble falling asleep, but managed it somehow. Tomorrow is supposed to only by 100 degrees.
Day 71 - Saturday, August 30, 2008 - Zion NP
Started today with an interpretive bus tour with a Ranger. Interesting. Learned a little history of the park. Named Zion by Mormons who settled here. Zion means sanctuary.
Zion NP reminds us of Yosemite - a red Yosemite - only Zion is made of sandstone, not granite. Zion was cut by the Virgin River rather than glaciers. While carving the area - a landslide dammed the Virgin River creating a hug lake. Later the river cut thru the dam and the lake was released - but the sediment remains and there is a nice flat canyon bottom just like glacier-carved Yosemite.
After the bus ride we hiked to Weeping Rock and then UP to Echo Canyon where the Canyon narrows quite a bit - slot canyon. Would have like to walk farther but did not have lunch with us. Walked outside the park, to the market, for coffee and ice cream!
These Mormons were sent to southern Utah to grow cotton because cotton was hard to come by during the Civil War. The area is still called Utah's Dixie even though cotton did not grow very well in the area.
Day 72 - Sunday, August 31, 2008 - Zion NP
Sprinkled a little through the night - nice sleeping weather. Got up just in time for church at 8am. Sat in the steady rain for church. Good thing Michael brought the big umbrella. A nice couple from Atlanta, GA was the pastors. They have one more service for the summer then they head back to GA. Also, we met a guy whose sister lives in Rohnert Park. Small world.
After church we were going to make pancakes - but the rain kept coming down, so instead, we rode the shuttle to Springdale and had a wonderful breakfast buffet that lasted us until dinner.
It stopped raining so we hiked up to the Upper Emerald Pool - it was so crowded at the top! We did not stay long. We saw some folks from the church service on the way up. Then hiked down the Virgin River to the campground. Rested for the afternoon.
Day 73 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - Labor Day - Zion NP to Grand Canyon NP
Stopped at a coffee shop with internet in Springdale. Saw 2 folks from the church service - again - weird. Checked e-mail and weather.
Drove on until Pipe Spring National Historic Site in Arizona. Had lunch then look around. Historical place. A place where a natural spring comes out. Homeland of the Paiute Indians. A tithing ranch for the Mormon Church. A hideout for wives and children of polygamous families. Lastly, a stop for travelers. Interesting history.
Finally, we made it to the Grand Canyon NP! Set-up camp then drove down to the Lodge and Visitor Center. Walked to the Rim! Yeah. It's huge! Awesome.
