Marching to Zion

The morning brought new excitement to explore this place that Mormon settlers so named because they felt safe within the walls of these canyons...  The air was cooler and the light on the various warm colors of the canyon walls made them seem to glow in the morning light.  We decided to just play things by ear and see where the day took us - no schedules, no planned hikes or things to accomplish.  The only thing on our "must-do" list was to complete the Junior Ranger programs with Abby and Isaac.

We had a late morning at the camper - all sleeping in for the first time in a while...so nice.  After breakfast we decided to head out to the tunnel on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and check out the East side of the park beyond the tunnel since the ranger recommended against traveling on that road with our trailer in tow.  As it turns out, the tunnel was fine for our rig - but the road leading up to the tunnel was something else entirely.  The entire road was torn up with ruts where they were beginning to tear up the existing asphalt every foot or two - doable for the camper, but only if you like the idea of having everything in the trailer dumped out into the floor or re-arranged in the cabinets for you...  Anyway, it was a good decision to preview the road without the trailer.

The scenery was beautiful.  We saw the Grand Arch on the way to the tunnel - a beautiful formation that looks like a perfect arch was blasted into the side of a mountain in the soft rock.  The 1.1 mile-long tunnel was a marvel in itself, with several "picture windows" blasted into the side to allow for views as you travel through - built in the 1920's.  On the East side of the tunnel, we parked and decided to check out the Canyon Overlook trail...sounded interesting.  Walking along, we were able to get our first closer views of the rock carved by the Virgin River over many thousands of years.  We saw hanging gardens, a natural overhang, and a formation that I named "Rainbow Arch" that I couldn't stop taking pictures of - wow.  At the end of the trail, we popped up to an overlook that took my breath away.  It looked over the entire canyon where we could preview everthing we would see piece-by-piece later in the day. 

The afternoon led to the discovery of the shuttle system that took us (and all of the other Zion explorers) up and down the canyon on propane-powered buses.  No driving, learning about the park as we ride, gawking at the scenery - all as the wind rushes past us through the open windows...perfect.  We simply enjoyed hopping on and off, hiking various trails that one of us was interested in, and taking pictures.  At the end of the Riverside Walk, we waded up and down the Virgin River - getting a sneak peak at what those who hike the "Narrows" experience.  We also saw "Weeping Rock" and the "Emerald Pools" via the "Kayunte Trail" - finally ending our evening at the Zion Lodge.  We had hiked maybe 7 miles all total, but enjoyed every step - watching how the light changed on the canyon walls, catching a glimpse of various formations such as "Angel's Rest" and "The Great White Throne".  At day's end, it was easy to understand why the early settlers in this area found respite in these walls - they from religious persecution, but we found respite from the chaos of the big city.  Once again back in the sanctuary of the national park system, we were able to relax and take in our new surroundings...all the while whistling, "We're marching to Zion.  Beautiful, beautiful Zion..."

 

Tracy