Zion National Park

Thursday, May 9, 2024

This morning, we drove the hour-long trip to arrive at the Zion National Park entrance around 9:30 am (although it felt earlier due to the time zone change). The Visitor Center parking area was full so after fruitlessly driving around it for awhile, we exited the park and paid for parking in the adjacent town of Springdale. There was free shuttle service from Springdale into the park but we opted to walk the short distance via a nice paved path that avoided the busy main road. 

In the Visitor Center, we got our passport stamped and obtained a Park map. Zion National Park is basically a deep canyon with magnificent rock formations carved out by the Virgin River. There is only one road in the canyon that is only accessible via the Park’s free shuttle service. After studying the situation, we decided to take the shuttle to Stop 9, the last one. We waited in  a long line to board the shuttle bus. Eventually, we found standing room in a large electric-powered double bus. 

——————— Visitor Center & Boarding the Shuttle Bus ———————

We disembarked at Stop 9, the Temple of Sinawava. There, we joined lots of fellow visitors along the moderately easy Riverside Walk. This 2.2-mile out-and-back paved trail parallels the Virgin River as it winds through the deep canyon. Along the route, non-paved paths loop along the river’s edge offering additional views. Along the way, we saw some intrepid climbers scaling a steep canyon wall. We progressed at a leisurely pace on the outbound leg, enjoying the views despite the crowds. At the turn-around point we sat on a wall and ate a snack along with fellow hikers. Persistant rock squirrels begged for scraps. We set a faster pace on the returned leg. After completing the Riverside Walk, we had a minimal wait before boarding the down-canyon return shuttle bus.

——————— Riverside Walk ———————

Bus Stops 7 & 8 were closed, so we deboarded at Stop 6, The Grotto. Here, we crossed the road and took a more strenuous ~5-mile hike along parts of three trails, Kayenta, Lower Emerald Pool and Middle Emerald Pool. The rocky trail was crowded with two-way pedestrian traffic and sometimes it was necessary to wait for oncoming traffic to pass before continuing. The lower third section of the trail afforded beautiful views of the river and canyon walls. At the summit of our climb, we observed the Upper and Lower Emerald Pools. Today, these unimpressive small pools barely deserved that moniker, and they certainly were not emerald in color.

After viewing the pools, we descended a short while and then took a spur trail for another view of the pools. After shooting some pictues here, I could not find Jane. I searched the area several times; my phone’s cell data read “SOS”. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that she had continued down the return trail and so I proceeded downward anticipating to see her waiting for me. I didn’t see Jane on the descent and at the trail’s end crossed the Virgin River on a pedestrain bridge and waited, hoping the Jane had also decided to return alone. After about a five-minute wait, I spotted Jane’s pink cap among the hordes of descending hikers. We were both happy to be reunited. It turns out that Jane had taken another spur trail to the Grotto that I had missed. In the Grotto, she observed and walked under a tall waterfall.

——————— Emerald Pools Hike ———————

We rode the shuttle from the Grotto stop to Stop 5, Zion Lodge. There, we ate lunch at Red Rock Grill al fresco. We both ordered triple-cheese grilled sandwiches with tomato soup. Our table on the deck offered a nice canyon view and we enjoyed talking with our waiter who was a birder and answered some our identification questions.

After lunch, we shuttled to the Museum, Stop 2. We both had seats in the “accordion” section of the shuttle where the two buses sections linked. In the History Museum we read informational displays and watched a video about cultural aspects of the Park. After exiting the museum, we walked around one side and the back to take in some magnificent views.

 

We then shuttled back to the Visitor Center and walked through the Park exit back to our car parked in Springdale. On the drive home, we stopped at Walmart in Hurricane for groceries. After dinner in our motorhome, we were both exhausted (we had hiked over seven miles during the day) and quickly turned in for the evening.