One last morning hike in Zion and then off to the Grand Canyon

 

Date: 4/21/2015

Location: Zion NP, Page Arizona & Grand Canyon NP

Well, Tuesday arrived and it was time to leave Zion National Park and head south to the Grand Canyon (south rim). One thing that we wanted to do before we left Zion was to ride the shuttle as far as we could up into Zion Valley and do one last short hike on the River Walk Trail. This is the trail that leads to the famous Narrows hike. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to hike the narrows. Yet another hike we'll need to add to our list for the next visit!!

On the shuttle ride from the lodge to the River Walk trail we saw several climbers high up on the rock walls. We also had a climber, with all of his gear, on the shuttle with us. I guess this section of Zion is famous for its' rock climbing walls.

Mother and daughter doing an early morning hike before our long drive to the Grand Canyon.

 

The end of the River Walk Trail is where the trail to the Narrows begins.

The Narrows is a hike up the Virgin River accessible when the flow of water is low enough. In the cooler weather you have to rent booties and wet suits since the water is so cold. Below is Allison taking a picture for some of the hikers starting their trek up to the Narrows.

Allison the photographer.

 

Allison doing her best to keep the trail free from boulders

 

Our River Walk was right next to the Virgin River that flows through Zion Canyon.

 

Making our way back to the start of the trail.

 

Out time in Zion was finally up and we packed ourselves into the car and headed out. In planning the trip I noticed that about 1/2 way to the Grand Canyon was Page Arizona and the Glenn Canyon Dam. This was a must stop as you just can't pass up a good dam! It would also get us there about noon time which would make a good place to stop for lunch.

Glen Canyon Dam

 

We stopped at the visitors center at the dam for a bathroom break and to take a few picture of the dam and bridge over the river. This visitor center at this dam was much quieter than the one at Hoover Dam. We decided that we'd do the tour of the dam an Hoover and skipped the tour at this one.

 

Julie really wanted to find some dinosaur tracks somewhere on our travels. Well, she finally found some right outside the Glen Canyon Dam visitors center.

How bout them tracks!!

 

After spending about 45 minutes at the visitors center and lunch in the small town of Page Arizona, we were off again. One more stop that I had planned was a short hike/walk to the somewhat famous Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. This was a very short 1 mile round trip stroll to an overlook into the canyon.

We're going where?

 

 

I really wanted to get a good picture of the bend (horseshoe) of the Colorado River, but didn't want to get close enough to the edge to get the shot. So, Allison volunteered to lay on the rock, stretch over the edge and try to get the perfect shot.

Anything for a good picture.

 

Just hanging on the edge!!

 

Allison took a few pictures with her phone and my camera, being extra careful not to drop either over the edge of the thousand foot drop.

All the extra effort paid off. We got a pretty good picture of Horse Shoe Bend.

 

Here's the GPS track of the short hike we did down to the overlook.

Colorado River - Horseshoe Bend Walk at EveryTrail

 

 

After leaving Page Arizona, it was off to the Grand Canyon. The drive from Page to the Grand Canyon is through mostly desert and Indian reservations. We got to the park in the early evening and had to get our picture taken by the East entrance sign.

A father daughter picture for a change!!

 

Our first view of the canyon was from Desert View Overlook.

 

We arrived at the Grand Canyon and got checked into our room at the Yavapai Lodge. The "Lodge" was really just a hotel like room, but it was plenty big enough for the three of us and had two queen beds. Plus it was clean, so we were all set. After getting settled we headed out to dinner and waited for about 45 minutes for a table at Arizona Room Restaurant. We waited out on their porch area and had a drink and enjoyed the views (even though it was windy and cold!!!) We had a great dinner here and later made our way back to our room as we were ready for bed after a long travel day. Plus, we had a big hike planned for the next day, so we needed all the rest we could get!

Our stay at Zion Lodge

 

Date: 4/18/15 – 4/21/15

Location: Zion National Park

On Tuesday, after a little over two days at Zion, it was time to move on. For the first two nights that we stayed in the park, we were able to score reservations at the Zion Lodge Cabins. The rooms in the cabins were rustic, but very comfortable with two twin beds, fireplace and private bath. The third night we moved into one of the hotel rooms right next to the main lodge. These rooms were a little more modern and very comfortable. We were lucky and got a room with a great view of the surrounding mountains. We had happy hour on the balcony, taking in the view and sunset. All was great until our neighbor was chased out of her room by an invading bat. The maintenance crew were finally able to evict it from her room, but it then dive bombed us as we sat on our balcony. So, me made a quick retreat into our room.

Here’s the cabin we stayed in for the first two nights at Zion National Park

 

Both of the places we stayed at in the park were a very short walk from the main lodge with its’ amazing surrounding scenery.

The main lodge at Zion National Park

 

Looking back down Zion Canyon where the lodge and cabins are located

 

Another view of the cabins at Zion NP

 

The main lodge had a nice outdoor beer garden. A relaxing place after a long day of hiking.

 

This is the hotel section of Zion Lodge. Our room was overlooking the grassy area.

 

Allison and Julie heading back to our room.

 

Such an amazing location for a park lodge.

A day of hiking at Zion National Park

 

Date: 4/20/2015

Location: Zion National Park

 

Monday was our second full day at Zion National Park and we wanted to do one of their longer and more challenging hikes. The three  of us were intrigued to view the famous Angels Landing section of the West Rim Trail hike, but we all knew that with its’ exposed sections of trail, with thousand foot drop offs, it just wasn’t for us. But we’d go as far as we could and without taking any risks. Also, we really wanted to hike Walter’s Wiggles which winds it’s way up to the west rim high above the Zion valley floor. 

 

Starting our on the West Rim Trail. Lots of elevation gain ahead.

 

We started the hike somewhat early in the morning when it was still cool. We had several layers of clothes on, but soon warmed up as we climbed the very steep trail. Luckily the trail was not too busy with other hikers. We did leap frog a few groups as we’d hike ahead and then have to rest to catch our breath. Then others would pass us, but then rest, so we’d pass them again. This is how it went most of the way up to the section before Angels Landing.

A view from the lower section of the West Rim Trail looking back down Zion Valley towards the lodge

 

A little hard to see, but there is a series of switchbacks leading up the wall just ahead of us.

 

After a little over a mile and a half in we finally got to Walters Wiggles. This is a series of 21 steep switchbacks built by the first park superintendent, Walter Ruesh, back in the 1920’s.  Before Walter designed and  built these switchbacks, the west rim and Angel’s Landing was not accessible.

Allison making her way up Walter’s Wiggles

 

At the 2 mile mark we hit the saddle right before the accent up Angels Landing. The is where some people, who didn’t want to continue the hike, waited for others who were continuing on to the top. It was also a great place to rest, have a snack and take in the view.

Mother and Daughter high above the valley below.

 

To climb Angel’s Landing, you must hold onto chains secured to the side of the trail.

 

Some crazy hikers climbing their way up the beginning section of Angels Landing

 

This is as far as Julie got on Angels Landing. About 30 feet!!

 

Allison thinking about heading up, but didn’t get far.

There have been several death of hikers falling from the Angels Landing Trail over the past several years. But that doesn’t stop hordes of people from attempting this climb. At times it gets very busy on this hike and traffic jams develop during peak times. This isn’t the type of hiking we are into, so we’re glad we passed.

After resting for about 30 minutes we decided we still had enough energy to continue on the West Rim trail. It continues to climb away from Angels Landing and onto some more open areas with amazing views.

 

 

 

 

We are now high above Angels Landing and even higher above the floor of Zion Canyon

 

There was some amazing scenery high up on the West Rim Trail

 

 

Snack time on the West Rim Trail of Zion NP

 

Allison hugging the “safe” side of the trail as there were long drop off on the outside.

 

Yet another mother / daughter shot.

 

We hiked for a half mile past the Angels Landing turn off and found this part of the West Rim trail to be the best. Except for a few other hikers, we had this section of the trail almost to ourselves. It was also the most picturesque part of the trail with many different rock formations and one amazing view after another.

It was at this section of the trail that we decided we had gone far enough. We still had a long hike back down, so we decided to take a few pictures then turn around and head back to the lodge.

 

A trail marker high on the West Rim Trail. Just don’t go too far to the right as there’s as 1200 foot sheer cliff.

 

Heading back the way we came.

 

Flowers clinging to the red rock walls.

 

Back down Walters Wiggles

 

Still a ways to go as the trail weaves it way down towards the Virgin River.

 

Not Walters Wiggles, but still wiggly!

 

We finally made it back down to the bottom and the starting point of the West Rim Trail. We had tired tootsies, so took our hiking boots off and rested out feet in the cold water.

 

Up to this point our favorite hike was Grinnell Glacier Hike at Glacier National Park. But Julie and I both agree this hike is now our new favorite. It was challenging and the views and scenery were outstanding. We’d gladly do this hike again and maybe continue on a little further on the West Rim Trail. Just another reason to make a return visit to Zion.

Zion National Park - West Rim Hike at EveryTrail