May 14 - 15: Zion - Kayaking the Virgin River

We had planned on stopping in Bryce on the way to Kodachrome, but when we discovered you can kayak in Zion, we extended our stay at the South Campground. We'll visit Bryce during our Kodachrome stay. Gary had some exciting kayaking in the canyon. Day 1, he put in at the Temple of Sinawava, at the north end of the canyon.  The river in the upper canyon was rated class 3 to class 5 at the time, very fast moving (hence the Narrows trail was closed).

Taking out at the Court of the Patriarchs just before the narrowest, steepest part of the canyon which was class 5 and much too narrow for our sea eagle.

Obstuctions and swirling eddies (near the Emerald Pools trails) which suck you in and don't let go.

Day 2 putting in at the South Campground and heading down towards the south end of Springdale; we had

heard this stretch of the river was "much easier" but...

Unfortunately, the water was a bit too fast and our big inflatable a bit too difficult to manuever; Gary was flipped twice and cut the ride short with some battle wounds to remember it by.

May 13: Zion - Emerald Pools trails

Gary at the Lower Emerald Pools. The Lower to Upper Emerald Pool Trails are about 1.5 miles together, and then terrific views coming down the Middle Pool Trail - about 2.5 miles altogether.

At the Middle Emerald Pools

The Upper Emerald Pools are in a very cool canyon (naturally air-conditioned) and a beautiful spot to picnic after the climb up. Gary took some video of the falls / pools which were refreshing after the hot and sunny upper pools trail:

Video of Upper Emerald Pools

This was our "last day" at Zion doing the Emerald Pools trails, but when we saw kayakers on the river, we got a permit and extended our stay by a few days to kayak the Virgin River in Zion.

May 11: Zion - Canyon Overlook Trail - a terrific short hike

This was our favorite "easy" hike - at the east end of the tunnel. It's about 1 mile round trip, toughest part is the initial staircase carved into sandstone (can be slippery but there's a handrail). There are some steep dropoffs and one "hanging boardwalk" over the gorge, which make it interesting. There are neat sandstone formations and hoodoos, and then the fabulous view at the overlook.

click here for video of canyon overlook

May 11: Zion - Mt Carmel Tunnel and east Zion

Picture above is a look backwards down into the canyon as you head out the east side of Zion towards the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel. The tunnel requires a $15 pass for vehicles over 8 ft wide or over 11'4" tall, which allows you to go through twice in a 7 day period. The traffic goes through one-way, so larger vehicles can drive the center line. There are several windows along the 1.1 mile curving drive through the tunnel...

...and on the other side is a dramatically different landscape, vast mountainsides of slickrock, and sometimes, significantly cooler temperatures. Keep an eye out for Bighorn sheep - they say you can sometimes spot them from the road in this area; we were not fortunate enough to see any this trip.

Canyon Overlook trail is one of the best trails in Zion for a short hike and great views; it is at the east end of the tunnel (two small parking lots but parking can be tough). We'll post pictures from this hike in a subsequent post.

Continuing up Hwy 9, Checkerboard Mesa is worth stopping for.

May 12: Zion Angel's Landing Trail - video of the final scramble to the top

Gary took some video (links below).  Here's some photos of the final section of the trail where you can see hikers on the chain if you look closely:

A view down the canyon:

video one from Angel's Landing

video two from Angel's Landing

May 12: Zion: Angel's Landing Trail

We saw this unique custom RV from Germany in the Zion Visitor Center parking lot; then it was on to Angel's Landing.

Angel's Landing was one of our favorite trails in Zion. The peak to the left is the top of Angel's Landing, about 1500 ft up and 5 miles round trip - well worth the effort! Note the trail is multiple large switchbacks initially, the last at the top of this run is cut into the rock:

A view from the top of this first set of switchbacks:

Then it's into Refrigerator Canyon which is cool and beautiful:

Continuing on to Walter's Wiggles, a set of many short switchbacks, then you arrive at the "chain climb":

Views of the peak and fellow hikers up on top:

Gary coming back down:  (I chickened out at the first tree when I came around the corner and saw all the people on the chain going up and down with no passing lane; next trip I'll do it when it's less crowded so I can just hang on and close my eyes)

Back down Walter's Wiggles:

Gary climbing in the walls of Refrigerator Canyon...

The trail going back down: