We weren’t exactly sure if we’d make it to Zion National Park since we had reservations in the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch. However, we had a couple days left before we needed to be there, so we ended up getting to see the highlights at this amazing place. I definitely want to check it out again to do back country camping and hike much further.

 

 

We arrived around 4pm through the east entrance. Considering the later time, and that people were leaving the park at this time, it was still crazy busy. Zion is the third most popular National Park with 4.5 million visitors annually. No cars are allowed in the park, and there is very limited parking. A Park shuttle transports people to and through the park. They started using the shuttle in 2000 to be more eco friendly, and of course, to reduce the traffic congestion! It also has solar energy at visitor centers and Electric vehicle charging stations. Since 2008, the park had reduced energy use by 10%, as well as reduced Co2 emissions by 12 tons a day. 

 

So we lucked out, found parking and hopped on a shuttle easily. We went all the way to the end and got off at the last stop, Temple of Sinawava, to hike the Narrows. This is one of the most popular hikes at this Park; you hike up a river, varying from ankle to hip deep water. Before you get to it, you walk an easy trail, Riverside Walk, about a mile to the river. Then you can walk through the Narrows as far you are up to. Hiking through water makes it much more slow moving so I’d say most people only hike a half mile up before they turn around. A friend of mine recently visited Zion – but he got a permit to camp in the Narrows which is definitely why I’m coming back here. If you’re one of the lucky few to get the permits, you spend about two days hiking the full trail, camping in the middle, completely secluded. 

 

This is an extremely unique trail, and a great way to get me excited again about the Utah rocks and trails, which were getting a little redundant. We were also there at a great time – hundreds of people were walking back as we were walking up the Narrows, so it slowly became more and more private. After about a mile, Mike and I turned around and were pretty much completely alone on our hike back. It was wonderful.  

 

On the shuttle back to the visitor center, we stopped at the Weeping Rock stop – it’s a short, but kind of steep trail to an alcove with a dripping spring surrounding it. It’s pretty, but the highlight was that we met a National Park Logistic Planner who we asked a million questions about the park, and his job. Normally I always think about the Park Rangers when I think of the National Parks, but it was really cool to learn about the other, extremely necessary, parts that make the Parks run. 

 

 

We stopped at one last stop, the Court of Patriarchs. To be honest, pretty lame stop. It’s maybe a three minute “hike” to look at three big rocks that are named after some biblical figures. It’s pretty, but…. meh. 

 

As the park was closing, this is where the spontaneous visiting, no advance planning bit us in the ass. There is no BLM land, or 24 hour places to park/camp for the night. All the campgrounds in the area were booked, as were most of the motel. Because we also wanted to get to the park super early for the Angels Landing hike, we had to suck it up and got the last room at a hotel. It’s not fun to think about how much we’re spending for our 5 hours of sleep. We also had a *slight* accident when we hit the back of the van on their terra cotta roof and broke a tile. We wanted to not say anything, but we both get super anxious about that kind of stuff and ended up paying them $100 to get it fixed. Sigh. 

 

Anyway, after our very expensive shower and nap, we woke up super early and arrived at park at 5:30am. We ended up being the fourth and fifth people in line for the first shuttle, at 6am. By the time the shuttle arrived, over 100 people behind us in line, and only 75 or so are allowed on the shuttle. Womp womp. 

 

 

So, we took the first shuttle to the Grotto stop (along with everyone on the shuttle) to hike Angels Landing. This is the other most famous, popular trail at Zion. It is steep and hard, with lots of switchbacks in the beginning, which then lead to a nice flat area that tricks you into thinking you’re almost to the top and scary part… but then you get to the “wiggles”, which are even steeper switchbacks (21 of them!). This leads to the overlook where a lot of people turn around. But if you’re going to make it to this part, you might as well keep going, amirite?! 

 

 

 

But if you’re scared of heights, I understand why you might turn around. At this point, you have to use chains and ropes to get across and up narrow ridges and rocks.  I definitely kept my head down and focused on where I was walking, rather than look around or down!  It can be pretty scary but it’s super rewarding. Going back down wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The last 15 minutes of this section was the worst part, as it was when it was getting busy. That was the most sketchy part, waiting on the narrow sections waiting for people to go by, and a definite reason to make sure you’re on the first shuttle.

 

 

When we made it back to the ground, safe and sound, we we to the the Lodge for coffee afterwards. We were going to hike to the Emerald Pools, but they are in a drought so the pools were empty and not worth it. So we checked out a Ranger Program at the museum and then earned my next junior ranger badge! We ended the day in Springdale for a beer at Zion Brewery 🙂