Zion National Park

Hello everyone from Utah!

We left Las Vegas this morning and drove 2.5 hours to La Verkin, the town in which we are staying near Zion National Park. The roads are noticeably much better in Utah. The scenery was nice along the way, some red canyon rocks and snowy mountains in the background. Our hotel isn’t the nicest we’ve ever stayed in, but it’s a place to sleep and it’ll do the job.

We got ready and drove the 25 minutes to Springdale. The USA has 63 national parks and Zion is one of the most popular - this became evident very quickly. I had done a bit of research and knew there were shuttle buses involved, but trying to find a carpark and find our way around was pretty stressful at first. We found a park in the street in Springdale which was $12 US. Tomorrow morning we will be early enough to hopefully get a free spot at the visitor centre. It and much of Springdale was full to the brim once we arrived today though. We got a shuttle bus to the visitor centre and then bought our park pass. The queue here was huge, and after getting some advice regarding hikes from a park ranger the queue for shuttle buses into the park was even longer. We waited 35 minutes to get onto a shuttle. We commented to each other that one of the great things about living in Australia is how spread out everyone is. We had never seen anything like the crowds or queues at Zion at any national park we’ve visited. I think it’s currently spring break around these parts so that likely didn’t help.

But, despite the crowds, we were really taken aback by how beautiful our surrounds were even just at the visitor centre and Springdale. The surrounding rocks and cliff faces looked like a movie set rather than real life.

Once we boarded the shuttle, we took it the whole way to stop nine at the very end of the line. Along the way the scenery was stunning, dramatic cliffs surrounding both sides of the road. At one point we saw the ‘Angel’s Landing’ Peak. We had to enter a lottery for this one and were lucky enough to get a permit for it for tomorrow. Due to popularity, a lottery system was implemented last year as people were falling to their deaths as it was too crowded and very narrow. It’s also very steep. Not gonna lie - I’m feeling a bit nervous about it with the way both of my hips are at the moment. I’m having surgery on one once we return home. But we are going to take it slow and try our best. I’m glad the numbers are regulated.

When we reached the end of the bus line, we saw a beautiful waterfall and did the Riverside Walk. This was very crowded both with people and with squirrels. Sadly a few people were feeding them so they were not scared of humans at all. The river was lovely though and gushing lots of water. We stuck our head around the corner to see The Narrows walk which is shut at the moment due to the volume of water present. Usually hikers walk through knee deep water along that path. I had said to Rob in advance I’m not sure why people do this walk - your shoes would be wrecked!

We got the bus to stop seven and stopped at the Weeping Wall. Rain and melted snow makes its way down the rock and finds little cracks and crevices to run through. As a result under this waterfall there was a lot of rock wall growth and greenery. We spotted a lot of condors flying above in this area which was cool.

Our final bus stop was number five where we did the Emerald Pools trail. This was our favourite walk of the day. We got to walk under a waterfall on the lower pool section, then we did the upper pool section before having to take our shoes off and do a river crossing to complete the middle pool section. The water was so cold it hurt by the end, and Rob had rolled his ankle right before this so it was like a natural ice pack!

On all walks today we completed them in half the time compared to what the map and park information said. I wouldn’t say we speed walked or anything either so we found that strange!

We caught the shuttle back to the visitor centre after this walk and stopped at the Zion Brew Pub for dinner and a drink. This was our first proper dinner out for the trip. We sat outside with gorgeous views of the canyon and river, and each enjoyed a drink. Rob had a burger and I had bangers and mash. Then we shared a warm chocolate brownie. The pub had a really nice atmosphere.

Now we are back in the room having an early night.

Love to all
Claire
Xoxox