Zion Canyon National Park

Zion National Park "Awsome!" That's the word most used to describe nature's magnificent rock layout called Zion National Park. That's the word the Ranger at El Morro National Monument, in New Mexico, used last week. "I've been to Zion", he said, when I told him I was from Kanab. When I asked him what he thought of it, I expected his answer to be the one-word description I hear so often, "Awesome!" And sure enough, it was.  

The incredible mass of rock, towering some 3,000 ft. over Zion Canyon, contains the majestic presence of the well-named Great White Throne, the sky-scraping Temples,and the Altar of Sacrifice, to name just a few.  

THE TUNNELS... the first tunnel isn't far from the east entrance of the Park, this one being rather small in comparison to the second tunnel, not far from the first. Built in the 1920's, men began drilling and blasting through the cliffs to finish the construction of the 1.1 mile long tunnel. As you travel through the tunnel, having entered from the east, and exit at the other end, the breath-taking view that unfolds before you cannot be described by mere words. The looping descent into the valley that lies below can be a hazard, as the multi-horseshoe road demands the driver's attention, but so do the dramatic views below.  

Many years ago it was possible to pull over and stop to look out of at least one of the many "windows" along the tunnel wall, but because of safety, there is only a tantalizing peek as you roll by. The Park has prohibited any pedestrians in the tunnel for this reason.  

FREE SUMMER SHUTTLE SYSTEM -
it's as  easy as 1-2-3. . . 1.  PARK -  To avoid hassles with parking...Enter the park on foot at the Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater. If you are staying at a campground in the Park, leave your vehicle at the campsite and walk to the visitor center.2.  PLAN -  Use the exhibits at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to plan your visit based on your time and your interests. Check the schedule of Ranger-led activities and the Park bookstore for maps and books to enhance your visit. 3. RIDE -  Free shuttles run from dawn to late evening, as often as every 6 minutes. Shuttles are fully accessible. We're sorry but no pets allowed on the shuttles.

Zion National Parkitself was created by the Virgin River over some 13 million years. Normally, the peaceful stream appears an unlikely tool for gouging through so much rock. Seen at flood, though, it can be a monster, capable of eroding away untold tons of stone, trees, foliage, and whatever is in it's way. The narrow upper canyon can be traversed only by wading in the stream, and this is an activity not without danger, if or when the stream is flooding.

The cliffs of Zion are in step #3 the National Monument bearing the name "Grand Staircase-Escalante". Some of the features in this "step" are the aforementioned Great White Throne, the Temples, the sharp peaks in the Court of the Patriarchs, and the Watchman at the south end.

Hiking trails abound in Zion National Park, at all levels of altitude, and of personal demand of the hiker. The trails to the three Emerald Pools are a perfect example: the trail to the first pool is fairly easy, and then you will find the trails getting progressively more difficult as you journey to the upper two pools. An interesting trail leads to the beautiful Angel's Landing, and a typical short walk is to Weeping Rock, which drips or flows water that has entered porous rock far above.

Kolob Canyon, part of Zion National Park which is entered from Hwy 15, offers dramatic trails. The Kolob seems to be made up of innumerable slot canyons, the kind to stay out of when the skies above open up. The major part of Zion can appear to be desert-like --- devoid of water. But what an incredible change you'll see if you are lucky enough to be caught by a heavy rainstorm. Every gully, every wash, every draw, every notch in the rocks becomes a torrent. Water cascades from rock lips and ledges and the entire aspect of the area is vastly altered.

Last summer, when the rains came, while stopping to catch a few photo's of some magnificent waterfalls, we were drenched from the rain. It was worth it, and I hope to return.