Today we both headed out to see the sights the park has to offer. We headed up the Zion Park Scenic Drive, that dead-ends to the north. First stop was the Lower Emerald Pool trail, across the road from the Zion Lodge. It was about a mile hike in, and then the trail looped around and up. We could have continued in a big loop back to the lodge, but it was quite a steep climb from the pool, so opted to turn around and return to our starting point. The pool is quite low right now, but when the spring runoff starts, the waters will flow abundantly over the cliff above the pool. Right now there's just a small flow over the edge - just enough to create a spray if you get under the ledge.
We headed over to the lodge for lunch, and then headed north to the Temple of Sinawava at the end of the road. The drive was precarious. You're only supposed to park in designated parking areas, or areas where you can pull well off the road, but some folks just think the rules apply to everyone else. Wherever there was a view point, or some other point of interest, most likely traffic was forced down to single lane because of vehicles parked where they shouldn't be, or not pulled off the road far enough. It was easy to see why they ban private vehicles in the summer. If it's this busy now, how crazy will it be when it warms up.
Anyway, made it up to the end of the road, and as we were looking for a parking spot, we spotted a couple from Alberta we had met a few days ago in Williams, at the visitor centre. They ended up in a site right across from us at the same campground in Williams, and then we ran into them at the Grand Canyon, and then again today. So the four of us started off along the trail, but didn't follow it too terribly far before turning back. The real view was quite a climb up and none of us were prepared to tackle it. On the way back to our car, we spotted four climbers on the sheer rock face of one of the mountains. I don't get it, but whatever floats your boat.
We headed back down the Scenic Drive to a spot called Big Bend and stopped there for a bit. Got chatting with a couple from Kamloops, out touring on motorbikes. They were telling us that earlier, from this stop, they had seen a helicopter come in on a recovery mission. A base jumper had not successfully completed his jump on the weekend.
Anyway, made it up to the end of the road, and as we were looking for a parking spot, we spotted a couple from Alberta we had met a few days ago in Williams, at the visitor centre. They ended up in a site right across from us at the same campground in Williams, and then we ran into them at the Grand Canyon, and then again today. So the four of us started off along the trail, but didn't follow it too terribly far before turning back. The real view was quite a climb up and none of us were prepared to tackle it. On the way back to our car, we spotted four climbers on the sheer rock face of one of the mountains. I don't get it, but whatever floats your boat.
We headed back down the Scenic Drive to a spot called Big Bend and stopped there for a bit. Got chatting with a couple from Kamloops, out touring on motorbikes. They were telling us that earlier, from this stop, they had seen a helicopter come in on a recovery mission. A base jumper had not successfully completed his jump on the weekend.
Back at the junction, we headed back along the through road and through the tunnels again. Robin wanted to see if we could find the mountain goats. We only found one, and he was way, way, way up a mountain. Thank you binoculars and telephoto lens.
When we'd had enough sightseeing, we headed back to Springdale and checked out a few of the little stores. Then back to camp where Robin became very popular with a tour group camped across from us in tents. He was sitting outside reading when one person came over and asked if they might plug in the leader's phone to recharge it. The next thing, there were 4 devices plugged in to the outside outlet. And later that evening, they came over with some wonderful, warm spice cake that had been made in a dutch oven. Good timing, as we had just finished supper.
Until next time dear followers, don't corner something meaner than you.
Until next time dear followers, don't corner something meaner than you.