Zion National Park, UT

After we left Las Vegas we drove northeast on I-15 towards Utah.

Our first destination in Utah was Zion National Park.  Designated in 1919, Zion is Utah's oldest National Park.  Zion National Park is one of the most uniquely beautiful places on the planet. The park consists of very distinct geographic landforms, like massive monoliths, arches, waterfalls, springs, rivers, and staggeringly tall sandstone cliffs.  The park is known for its incredible canyons and spectacular views. 

As soon as we arrived we reviewed the park newspaper and decided to hike the Emerald Pools Trail.  The Emerald Pools is one of Zion's signature trails and is generously endowed with breathtaking scenery. Waterfalls, pools and a dazzling display of monoliths create the Emerald Pools Trail System.

Picture below is at Upper Emerald Pool.

After reaching the Upper Emerald Pool we backtracked to the Middle Emerald Pool and took the Kayenta Trail back to the Grotto Picnic area.  The Kayenta Trail travels along the west wall of the canyon along the foothills of Mount Moroni.

The pictures where taken around 7 in the evening, so in person the views were magnificent but the photos show up low-lit with shadows.  The temperature in the park was perfect that evening...we could hike level portions of the trails barely breaking a sweat.

After arriving at the Grotto picnic area, we caught a park shuttle bus further into the canyon to the final stop at Temple of Sinawava.  Here we hiked the Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinawava Trail.  Also called the Gateway to the Narrows, Cottonwood trees cover the majority of the path throughout the day, creating a comfortable shade that is complimented by the crisp waters of the North Fork of the Virgin River. There are hanging gardens along the sloped walls of the trail, fed by trickling falls of water, home to many of Zion's exotic forms of wildlife.  The trail is surrounded by the slowly encroaching walls of the canyon, offering a small taste of the Narrows ahead.  The end of the hike is the entrance to the Narrows.

The Virgin River has gnawed through native sandstone to create the incredible scenery found in Zion Canyon.

The river itself now serves as a natural corridor for exploring the park.  You can actually hike through the river upstream into the canyon in what is known as the Narrows.  We weren't wearing the proper footwear to hike into the water this evening.

Upon returning to the Riverside Walk to head back to the shuttle bus we encountered this mule deer with large felt-covered antlers in the midst of his dinner.

We rode the park shuttle bus back to the visitors center, and found a camp spot just outside the park a few minutes after dark.