Dan and Hannah Hike Our American Southwest - Zion National Park. Utah

Entering Zion National Park from the East, Hannah and I drive through deep canyons and a one-mile tunnel through the mountains.  With no electricity in the tunnel, there is an eerie cave-like feel to the drive.  Finding the parking lot at the Zion Visitor Center full at 11A on this Wednesday in early June, we easily park along the main street of Springdale, UT adjacent to the park.  A free shuttle bus takes us to the park entrance where we flash our $10 Seniors All Access Pass and enter as royalty.  Seventh Commandment of the Trail – Arrive early, beat the heat, and get a parking spot at the Visitor Center. 

Immediately behind the visitor center is the Watchman Trail.  Climbing and hugging the canyon wall in a toasty 90 degrees, I feel little danger of falling though I step to the inside of the trail.  In thirty-five smoking minutes, we arrive at an overlook of the Zion valley and its meadows.  Fully focused on getting as much exercise as we can in three hours, we cruise through this one plus hour hike.  It is not a hike to be feared.   Zion has others that indeed fall into that category.

We take the free shuttle busses (http://www.nps. gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm), which since 1997 have been the only access to the Zion Canyon leading to the Zion Lodge (http://www.zionlodge.com/), Angel’s Landing, and the Narrows (http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm).    

Zion is known for Angel’s Landing.  Now that is fear inducing.  Observation Point with 2300 feet of vertical gain is another death-defying hike.  Our knees say no.  The hiking guide discourages those with a fear of heights from trying either hike.  And that would be Dan.  Angel’s Landing is two miles of easily negotiated sandstone switchback trails until hikers reach the last half-mile of the trail that requires one to hold on to heavy chains that are bolted into the canyon wall, with the valley 1500 feet below.  http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm We decline Angel’s Landing’s invitation.

And yet, we hit the jackpot with the Emerald Pools trails.  In the early afternoon, we ascend on narrow trails that have us again hugging the canyon walls.  The Lower Pool and Middle Pool are mere pauses on the way to the crown jewel.  A gem awaits at the Upper Emerald Pool, a mere three tenths of mile up a rocky, negotiable straight up climb.   Once there we are treated to a sandy beach and a chilly, but refreshing pool fed by mountain waterfalls, ideal for mid afternoon hikers who have endured temperatures in the 100s.  When we were there, there must have been 50 people, a third of whom were kids playing in the sand or in the pool at the nearby sandbar. 

Watchman and Emerald Pools trail ratings - Excellent

Driving from Zion the terrain flattens and Mesquite, NV lies 90 miles away.  Rooms at the Virgin River Casino (http://www.virginriver.com/) in Mesquite can be had for $25 per night Sunday through Thursday.  For you blackjack card counters, they have one-deck games.  Life is good.

As always when hiking, know thyself, thy limits, and the conditions.  Be prepared.