We left Las Vegas this morning at 9:00 a.m. and arrived at Zion National Park at 12:30 p.m. We checked into our hotel and then ate lunch. This national park is different from the others visited to date in that there is a shuttle bus service which takes you into and around in the park. No car traffic is permitted on the main roadway after April 4th. The shuttle was very convenient and easy to use. There are eight stops along the route and we rode the entire length of the park (about 45 minutes) to the last stop. We hiked the Riverside Walk trail which was 2 miles long and took about 1 ½ hours. The trail took us to the point called the Narrows where the canyon walls are met on both sides by the Virgin River. This is a popular hiking spot in the summer since you can hike up river in the river. This is the only way to reach up river since the canyon walls go right up to the river. We then got on the shuttle for a short trip to Weeping Rock trail. This short but steep ½ mile trail ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs coming down on top of you. We then got back on the shuttle and walked the Grotto Trail. This ½ mile trail was right on the Virgin Rivers edge. It was now after 5:00 p.m. and we returned to our hotel room for a swim in the pool and soak in the hot tub. This really wiped us out! We managed to get dressed and get dinner without falling asleep in our meals.
We have decided to spend another night here. We will take in some additional hikes in the morning and then relax the remainder of the day poolside.
I have posted pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tschick62/ZionNationalParkDay1?feat=directlink
More later . . .
Elise wants to know why the rocks are different colors?
ReplyDeleteJen wants to know if the river is always muddy looking?
Ellie, the mountains are sandstone which is very porous which allows water to pass through the rocks. The water picks up minerals. In Zion, the main mineral is iron. This causes the mountains to turn red when water runs over them. Other colors of the mountains are caused by other minerals similar to iron.
ReplyDeleteJen, the river is muddy. This is mostly the sand from the sandstone and other mountain debris. The river is very powerful and is the reason for the canyons existance. After a heavy rain or spring snow melt, the Virgin River can be very dangerous. Flash floods are a concern at The Narrows where hikers walk in the river to go up river.