Zion National Park: A Hiker's Paradise

Excitement, Awe, Wonder. Just three simple words that describe what one feels when entering Zion National Park. Having lived in Utah most of my existence, I have been able to experience several times the inspiration that comes from discovering this national park. The park has been called by many the "sandstone alps". Shear red rock cliffs explode from a desert landscape forming several mountains, slot canyons, monoliths, rivers, and arch ways.

Established officially as a National Park in 1909, Zion opened up a world of "Excitement, Awe, and Wonder" to millions who have traveled through the park for over a century.

Upon arriving in the park, one can truly see why it is a national treasure. The majority of the park snakes through the Zion canyon where visitors can take the shuttle loop through the canyon to see various peaks, mountains, and shear cliff faces. Using the shuttle makes it easy to be able to find certain highlights of the park as well as navigate to places that deserve exploration.

Like many national parks, Zion can only be fully appreciated on foot and this national park has plenty of hikes to choose from that can vary from extremely challenging to extremely relaxing. Though most of the hikes in Zion are awe-strikingly beautiful, here are a few suggestions that are some of my favorites:

Emerald Pools - This hike showcases a medium grade trail through one of Zion's many crevasses withing the canyon. The trail is no longer than 2 miles one way and takes you past pristine waterfalls and a glass like set of emerald colored pools.

Weeping Rock - A good family oriented hike of no more than .5 mile round trip. Along the way you can learn from various posted signs about the plant and wildlife along the path and around the park. The trail ends at Weeping Rock, a dripping, drizzling rock face that directs you to a beautiful lookout of the canyon. Perfect for those hot summer days in the park.

The Narrows - The Narrows explores another sub canyon of Zion. The trail starts off with a mile dirt path that leads you to a fordable one and half foot deep river. This is where the trail gets fun. Pull out your river shoes. You then get to follow the river up through precisely cut ravines and slot canyons. Here you are able to get an up close look at the rust colored sandstone that characterizes the park. Make sure to check weather conditions for this hike. It closes at times because of flash floods.

Observation Point - One of the most beautiful overlooks in the park, Observation point is a rigorous 8 mile round trip hike full of switchbacks, minimal level paths, and breathtaking views. The hike takes you to the peak of one of the mountains where you are able to see most of the Park. The hike can be, well, a hike, but it is completely worth the gorgeous view.

Angel's Landing - Truly the landmark hike of Zion, Angel's landing is a 2.4 mile one way hike that leads you through desert landscape to rigid rock face. The hike doesn't start to become strenuous until the last mile where the switchbacks come into play and you gain elevation quickly. The last half mile can be treacherous for some who have a fear of heights. As you are below the summit, the trail gets down to a single file path where you have to dodge people coming down from the summit all while not looking at the shear 1000 foot dropoff jsut to the side of the path. The park has installed "safety chains" to grab onto while navigating this part of the trail. Once at the summit, you are able to get one of the most picturesque 360

views of the park. Standing on this monolith one truly gets a sense of why they call it Angel's Landing.

Zion National Park is bursting with beauty and a plethora of hiking trails that allow you to explore this jewel in the desert. You will be whisked away by excitement, awe, and wonder as you traverse its paths and scale its mountains. Zion is Zion, go and explore it.