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By Jacob
Day 3 of our trip was the first, and only day where we did not have to spend any time in a car. Our day would be spent exploring the majestic Zion National Park in southern Utah. We woke up in the Hampton Inn in the small charming town of Springdale. The Hampton Inn is one of the best Hampton Inn hotels, it is spread over a couple of buildings with an outdoor pool. The hotel is less than a mile from the southern entrance of the park and visitor center.
During the summer, Zion Canyon is closed to private vehicles to reduce the effects of erosion. You have to book the shuttle system to go back to the popular hikes like Emerald Pools, Angels Landing and The Narrows. We parked at the visitor center and made our way to the shuttle area. Getting on the shuttle, I had a Jurassic Park kind of feeling, getting in a shuttle to go through the gate to see something truly spectacular. Our first hike of the day was Angels Landing. Unfortunately, the chain section was closed since no person could social distance on that section. The shuttle stopped at the Grotto and the trail started just across the road. We were the only people to get off the shuttle at this stop so we hurried towards the trail to avoid a potential crowd. Crossing the Virgin River the paved trail starts off heading uphill towards the western wall of the canyon. Between the Angels Landing Monolith and the wall of the canyon, the trail starts to switch back the steeper the trail gets. Next, it climbs along the wall of the canyon with a massive drop-off and beautiful canyon views of Zion.
The trail had an easier section going through a smaller canyon in a welcome break from the increasing temperature. The next section is called Walter’s Wiggles, a series of 20+ switchbacks that go back and forth up a narrow and steep slope to the area just below the chain segment. The trail is a challenge, but fun to climb up knowing that one will be rewarded with beautiful views. On the top of the switchbacks, a flat area allows hikers to rest before the chain section with beautiful views. A word of caution, due to people feeding the animals in this area, the animals are not afraid of humans and may try to take food. Though we were not allowed to finish the trail, my brother and I were able to go further up the West Rim Trail to a higher view looking at Angels Landing.
Zion Canyon
We then made our way back down parading past hundreds of sweaty people, one of the benefits of going early. At the bottom of the trail, we sat and ate some sandwiches by the Virgin River and trailhead to Angels Landing. Our next trail was shorter, we headed for the Emerald Pools. Another closing prevented us from going further, the Upper Emerald Pool was closed. With tired legs, we waved through the trees to feel the refreshing shade of the overhanging red rock and water coming off the small falls. The area is beautiful and worth the short hike to an oasis in the desert. To be honest, I remember little from the trail, it was getting near three-digit temperatures and the last time we had real food was in Evergreen, Colorado, 625 miles away.
We headed back into town for some food and rest from our morning. We decided to eat at Oscar’s Cafe, for its variety of menu items available. The food was very good, we had burgers and enchiladas. It may have been that we were so hungry that anything would taste good. Going back to the hotel, it was time for a rest. Two days of driving and hiking have made us very tired. My brother and I went to the pool while our parents took a nap in the hotel room.
The Watchman Zion National Park
After a few hours and the sun beginning to set we headed back into the park to the visitor center to walk the Pa’rus Trail. The trail is paved and begins at the park visitor center passing by the Watchman Campground and along the Virgin River. The attraction is the views of the famous Watchman rock formations over the entire Zion Canyon. The area is beautiful and the lighting was perfect. It was a perfect end for our time in Zion National Park. The next day we would visit Lake Mead, Valley of Fire and Las Vegas.
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