September 26, 2013

Zion National Park, UT

We set the alarm for 7AM because we wanted to get an early start for our day trip to Zion.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were quite a few cars ahead of us at the entrance booth when we arrived at 9AM.   

 

 

 

 

  

 

After stamping my passport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and browsing around the gift shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we boarded a shuttle and got off at the Zion Human History Museum where we watched a short film. 

 

 

 

 

 The roads in Zion are very narrow so no cars are allowed past the Canyon Junction.  This is where the road traveling through Zion meets ups with the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and the East entrance to the park.

We took the shuttle to the end of the line at the Temple of Sinawava

 and followed the signs for the Riverside Walk, 

 

 two mile round-trip paved trail. 

 

 

 

 

A group of people were gathered around looking at something. 

It turned out to be a squirrel who got just a little tooo friendly for my taste.

 

 

 

 

The end of the trail is the beginning of the Narrows Trail.  We would have loved to take that trail but it is over 9 miles and according to the brochure it is estimated it would take at least 8 hours to complete.  We watched several people begin the trail using water shoes they rented at the Visitor Center.

 

 

After taking a break to eat our lunch we began the return trip on the trail.

 

 

 

We timed our arrival back at the station as a shuttle was sitting waiting for passengers. 

 

 

 

 

  

Our next stop was at the Weeping Rock. 

 

The trail was only a half mile but almost the entire trail was an ascent.  At the top of the trail we got wet from water splashing off of the Weeping Rock.  It was very hot so the cold water was a welcome relief.

 

 

  

At the Zion Lodge we took a brief rest before taking the Emerald Pools Trail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before exiting the park we took a detour on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway because we wanted to go through the tunnel.  (Part of the reason we didn’t attempt to stay at the campground in Zion was because we would have had to travel through the tunnel. 

 

 

The tunnel was built in the 1920’s when large vehicles were uncommon so vehicles 11’4” or taller and wider than 7’10” require one-lane traffic control.  There is a $15 fee for the larger vehicles. 

 

 

 

 

When we approached the tunnel we had a delay as several campers, buses and trucks came through the tunnel from the opposite direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once through the tunnel we drove a couple of miles before finding a safe place to turn around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and re-enter the tunnel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After checking out the campground we were relieved we hadn’t decided to stay in the park.  I was not impressed with the sites especially after seeing all the trees that would have no doubt blocked our satellite reception.

We enjoyed our day at Zion (but I have to admit that it is not in list of my top five favorite National Parks.)