Day 6-We left the bright lights of Las Vegas this morning and headed northeast to Utah-our destination: Zion National Park. It was only a 2.5 hour drive from Vegas, which, compared to some of our recent long days driving, seemed like a short trip up the street to go for milk. Darby had chosen to give up her first choice excursion to Area 51, for an outing to this park, and we’re glad she did!
Now I’ve heard a lot about Zion NP (and other National Parks in Utah such as Bryce Canyon and Arches), and it’s been on my bucket list to visit for many years, but nobody else’s personal photos, postcards or national Geographic TV shows can equal an actual visit to this park! In this blog you’re going to briefly read about our day and see some of the photos we snapped, but this is one place you must try and get to in person. My words and our photos don’t “do it fair justice.” It was truly (and literally in some places) breathtaking!
I had promised Theresa and Darby if we could get out early, I would stop for coffee and some breakfast. About 20 miles north of LV, Darby had tracked down a Dunkin Donuts and we all decided we really needed coffee. Unknowingly, the exit we chose was for the LV International Speedway. Yep, big race tracks, grandstands, shops and NASCAR signs everywhere. Big Blue (my truck) got very excited and seemed to pull us toward the main track. I think he really wanted to live out a fantasy and take a few laps! He resisted when, realizing we had made a wrong turn and were headed for the main pit area, I turned him around toward the Dunkin Donut shop. For the next 90 miles he drove like he was pouting!
After easing our tired morning bodies with some java and snacks, we were on our way. As we entered Utah, we drove through the Virgin River Canyon-an amazing 11-mile stretch of I-15 that cuts through steep, rugged peaks on both sides of you. I do admit, it was hard to keep my eyes on the curvy highway when you’re driving past 9,000’ peaks right outside your window, but both my wife and daughter kept reminding me as Big Blue would edge closer to the 100’ drop-offs!
Zion NP is Utah’s first National Park. For millions of years, the Virgin River (which flows into Lake Meade above the Hoover Dam) has carved a path through layers of sandstone, forming spectacular gorges and forming high, rugged peaks of all sizes in its path. Wherever you look, you’re surrounded by cathedral-looking pinnacles of rock that tower above you. Every turn and every new step on a trail seems to call out for yet another photo.
We encountered some cool wildlife along our hikes today, including (see below) a momma Ground Squirrel carrying a baby and a small little Tree frog quietly resting on a log.
We wanted to hike today, and we did a good bit of it. Not hard core 15-mile hikes, but just some easy walks on some of the hundreds of miles of trails the park offers. Our first stop was a nice 4-mile hike up to what’s called the Upper Emerald Pool. The first section (3 miles) is considered easy, but the last 1-mile section was considered moderate. It was pretty challenging-especially that last section. But Darby, who turned into part Mountain Goat today, seemed to glide across the rocks with ease, and traverse the ups and downs as if she walked the trail many times before, only stopping to snap a quick photo w/her iPhone, or to check on the slow progress of Theresa and I. I do admit, I was impressed by her endurance!
Our last stop of the day was maybe the coolest (figuratively and literally). We wanted to hike a section of the park called the Narrows. As its name implies, it’s a deep, narrow gorge with the Virgin River (more like a large stream) running down through the middle of it. After walking on the Riverwalk, a 1-mile paved path the trail ends at the river. At this point you carefully walk up through the rushing water as far as you want to go-you can choose a few hundred yards, or you can hike up another 10 miles. The farther up you wander, the deeper, and tighter the gorge becomes. It’s an awesome experience. Most visitors simply walk up a little ways and turn around. Many of the Adventure Tour groups were leading their customers up 3-5 miles. The three of us decided a ½ mile up was far enough to get a “feel for the experience,” and after standing in 50-degree water for an hour, we were once again ready for dry land. It was a fantastic end to a fantastic day in Zion National Park. The three of us only chatted a few times on the way back to Vegas-exhausted from a long day of hiking and sightseeing, but extremely satisfied!
