Zion National Park, Utah - Day 1

Hi Everyone:

Barb & I are now in West Yellowstone Montana. We were in Jackson Hole Wyoming for a week until we relocated here this past Sunday. Barb's Cousin, Cuz and her husband Wagon master flew in about 10 days ago. We had a really great time with them exploring The Grand Tetons National Park & Yellowstone National Park. We also had a great time socializing & solving the world problems. At least what we imagined them to be. We drove them back to Jackson Hole yesterday. Cuz & Wagon master had a early flight out this morning. Barb & I will miss them a lot. It was really great to have family here to talk with instead of strangers. We have been on the go everyday and having a lot of fun. I have not had time to update our blog with any new posts until today.

This post is from June 20 th. This was our first day in Zion National Park. Zion is a small Park as compared to most other National Parks. There are no personal vehicles allowed on the main scenic drive in Zion Canyon. Everyone must park at the visitor center on the canyon floor & take the park shuttle to all view points & hiking trails. This makes it necessary to backpack all water, food & any supplies we would need for the entire day.

Zion is a very beautiful Park. Since it is a Canyon, it is also very hot this time of year. Backpacking did not make it any better. However we did enjoy the backpacking since it was a new experience for us.

Lou & Barb

Checkerboard Mesa, The Checkerboard pattern is a series of natural cracks & fissures that evolve due to a combination of stresses in the rock & erosion.

This First Group of Pictures are From the area Between the Park Entrance & the Tunnel that Leads to the Road That Descends Down to the Canyon Floor.

Small Tunnel, About One Mile Before Entrance to the Long Tunnel.

Entrance to 1.1 Mile Unlighted Tunnel. There are Three Openings, or Windows Cut Through the Rock Walls at the Curves so you can see Better. During Peak Traffic the Tunnel is One Way for 30 Minutes Each Way. We are Waiting for Our Turn to Pass.

Tunnel Clearance at Center 13' 1"

Now Through the Tunnel, Window in Mountain Tunnel Wall.

Another Window in Mountain Tunnel Wall

Now Descending Down to Zion Canyon Floor

North Fork of the Virgin River

On the Hiking Trail to the Narrows. The Narrows is the Far End of Zion Canyon. The Virgin River has cut it's way into the Canyon for Tens of Thousands of years. At this end of the Canyon, the Canyons Very Narrow. Hiking Past the One Mile Mark Means Hiking in the Virgin River for Another Half Mile. Neither Barb or I Wanted to do this. Also I Could not be Exposed to the River Water. This Group of Pictures Were Taken on this Trail.

The Narrows Hiking Trail

The Virgin River

Backpacking on the Narrows Trail. We Each Packed One Gallon of Bottled Water, Food & Snacks for the day & Other Necessary Supplies.

This is as Far as Barb & I Will Go. This is Where the Trail Enters the River. The Canyon Gets as Narrow as 20 ft Wide. The Water gets From Ankle to Waist Deep or Deeper Depending on Time of Year. Now we Hike One Mile Back to the Trailhead & Shuttle.

Sun Getting Below Canyon Rim

Interesting Yellow Birds