When we got up Wednesday morning, the weather was drizzling and overcast, but by the end of the day, the sky started to clear up and we survived without getting too wet. We used that first day to get the "lay of the land" and learn our way around and try to figure out what we wanted to do in terms of hiking. We were able to see a lot of Zion Canyon that first day via the shuttle buses. We spent some time in the Visitor's Center and the Human History Museum. Riley was working towards earning his Junior Ranger Badge so it was a great time to hunt down most of the answers. We hiked through the mud to the Emerald Pools and got to see the Weeping Rock just as the sun was coming out! So cool how water just comes pouring out of the porous rock!
Thursday and Friday were beautiful! We hiked up to Scout's Lookout via Refrigerator Canyon. We would have loved to get to the top of Angels' Landing, but the trail was closed for repairs. Angels' Landing is a rather popular trail and supposed to have a fantastic view from the top. Refrigerator Canyon is named because of the drop in temperature as you hike through it. Then you hike up 21, yes, 21 switchbacks to the top of Scout's Lookout. From there you can choose to hike up to Angels' Landing which requires you to hike a narrow steep trail with a chain railing to help you from falling off! Oh well. Probably better it was closed since I probably would have had a stroke keeping Riley close by and having Kendall on my back in her pack!
We also hiked the Riverwalk trail back to the Narrows. The Narrows was finally open, but the Ranger suggested we stick to the paved trail because of having the kids. They had a few days of rainy weather and the Virgin River was flowing swiftly and was rather deep in certain parts. Guess that means we'll have to go back again someday to hike the Narrows! For those of you who don't know, hiking the Narrows means you hike the first mile on the paved trail and the rest in the Virgin River. It can get deep at parts which is why we were advised against it with our munchkins in tow. The river gets really narrow, hence the name, and you are supposed to be able to stand in the middle and almost touch the rock on either side of the canyon...Pretty cool, huh?
We were able to see some Big Horned Sheep on our way out of the park. We got to drive through the mile+ long Mt. Carmel tunnel and the kids thought that was pretty cool too.
Here are some of the views...These pictures don't do it justice. Somethings need to be seen in person to truly be appreciated.
Here we are entering the park...We do this at every national park now
This picture was taken at the Visitor's Center
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Daddy and Riley taking a break on the way up to Scout's Lookout
You could see this trail from the road at the bottom of the canyon
My son LOVES to climb in caves
If brother does it, then sister must too!
Momma and her hiking buddies in Refrigerator Canyon on the way to Scout's Lookout
The view of Big Bend from Scout's Lookout
Some warm sun in Refrigerator Canyon....It's appropriately named!
Another pit stop for some water on the way up
Taking a break at the top for lunch
This is why Riley wasn't allowed near the edge and why Kendall was not allowed out of the back pack!
Such a pretty canyon
My hiking crew getting ready to check out the Emerald Pools via the muddy trail from the Grotto stop.
Check out the "chocolate milk" Virgin River.
A cool little cave/tunnel we had to hike through to get to the Emerald Pools
Ah...The Emerald Pools...Well, the
waterfall at the top
waterfall at the top
We got to walk underneath the waterfalls. It would have been really awesome if I weren't worried about us all falling in the mud!
Here are the pools!
More caves on the other side of the Emerald Pools - we took this paved trail back to the Lodge
I think this explains why his dad always calls him a "cave monkey!"
She's still smiling after a few miles in the pack...
This is the "The Great White Throne" in the background as seen from Big Bend
This is Angels' Landing where we would have liked to finish our hike, but the trail was closed...
The view towards the Narrows from Big Bend
How cool is it that these ferns were just happily growing on the side of the rocks?
These are the "sad rocks" aka Weeping Rock. The water comes out of the sides of the canyon through the porous rock.
Plants also grow on the rock where the water is plentiful
My buddy. Hanging with her Momma, and checking out the views
Taking a break by a creek near Weeping Rock
His new favorite toy: 7 Tools In One.
It contained a compass, thermometer, magnifying glass, storage compartment, whistle, mirror, and flashlight. What boy wouldn't want a toy like that?
Our little cutie patootie
This squirrel stood completely still on this rock and posed for pictures! It almost didn't look real because it was so still, but it must have been hoping for payment in the form of food! Kendall was fascinated by the fact that it didn't go running in terror that she was that close. I was afraid she was going to try to pet it and get bitten.
This was on the trail to the Narrows. Andy and I liked the color of the rocks and were fascinated by the water running down it.
Kendall kept wanting to see the "waterfall" which was a nice change from "ducky water."
Beautiful flowers growing along the river
Another example of how plants grow along the walls of the canyon
Goofy face pose...after the numerous shots, I always let Riley get a few silly ones in for good measure!
Looking back out towards the beginning of the trail
This is where the paved trail ends and hiking through the river begins...Another great reason to go back to visit Zion!
Taking a break from rock climbing on our way out of the park
Trying to capture that perfect family shot...You can see how well that's been working out on this trip!
We came across some big horned sheep as well as mule deer, a frog, chipmunks and squirrels while in Zion. The kids loved seeing the sheep the best!
This is Checkerboard Mesa...One of the last things we saw in Zion before heading out to Bryce Canyon.
We had so much fun on this trip to Zion and would recommend it to anyone who has the chance to get there. We got smart and finally bought the annual National Parks pass. Now we have no excuse not to go back and finish seeing Arches and Yellowstone. We're even considering a trip to the Grand Canyon next summer. It's not that much further of a drive from Zion...Oh the possibilities!
Keep an eye out for my next post about the second half of our trip...Bryce Canyon National Park.
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