Day 8 - Zion

Wow what a great day!

We had breakfast at the hotel and headed toward Zion.  It was in the upper 60's when we left Canyon City and by the time we got to Zion it was in the 80's.  By the end of the day it was in the 90's, but I was comfortable all day.

We came in the South entrance, and found our campground, then took the shuttle in to the park.  The mountains are sandstone and have such a huge variety of colors in them.  In addition, the erosion is such that there are wavy lines in the rock.  The Virgin river cut a huge canyon in this park.  We got my passport stamped and then got on the park shuttle.

We decided to take the shuttle to the end and work our way back.  First stop was the Riverside trail which was a pleasant walk alongside and then stopping at the Virgin river.  There was lots of shade, and the river was so inviting, we took off our socks and waded into the water toward the Narrows.  This is where two canyons walls get closer and closer together.  We hiked, mostly in the water, about a half mile into the Narrows.  The water was cool, and there was plenty of shade from the canyon walls.  The rocks in the water were slippery so it was slow going.  I definitely want to do this hike completely someday, with the proper equipment.  There were a lot of people but the view was always amazing.  This canyon soared up a couple of thousand feet on either side, and the water was bubbly.

When we got back to the Riverside trail there was a buck wading in the water!  It was so close to us, then this lady went toward it and he scooted to the other side of the river.  Later we saw a doe by the side of the water.  These were mule deer and they were quite beautiful.

Squirrels are so habituated to humans here that they are literally FAT.  If you act like you are going to feed them, they come right up to you.  Yes I wanted to pet them.  No I did not pet them.  I do realize they will bite.

Next we went to Weeping Rock.   It was a short but steep hike up to this place where water seemed to come from the rock itself.  It felt like rain.  There were all kinds of plants growing seemingly just out of the rock.  It was very pretty watching the water fall from the rock overhead.

We took the shuttle again to Emerald Pools.  We only went to the first of the three pools, which is the largest - Lower Emerald Pool.  It was a bit over a mile hike and there was a kind of waterfall into the pool which is tinted emerald by algae.

We watched the video as we usually do then headed to the RV park where we are staying.  We checked in, checked out our site, and it was about 4:30.  Rather than set up camp, we decided to take the drive that comes into the park from the East.  There were tunnels and Checkerboard Mesa.  The rock here is amazing.  It was so beautiful and I was so overwhelmed by it all that I wept.  Twice.

The video said that the Mormons settled in this area, and I know they must have felt the hand of God here.  Mountains are named Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  The mountain we are climbing tomorrow is Angel's Landing.  There is a big white mountain named the White Throne.

Tired and happy, we came back to camp and set up our tent.  We had tuna steaks and salad, then kind of vegged out.  We need our strength for tomorrow.

Sunset came early here because of the mountains on all sides of us... but we are tired and ready for bed.

Tomorrow - Angel's Landing!  This hike is an altitude change of 1500 feet and 5.4 miles.  It is a big one for me.  At the top, you haul yourself up by pulling yourself up the chains that are linked to poles in the ground.  Both sides of the path are sheer drops straight down.  I've been training for this.  I can do it.  Take that, Ranger Boy!