We did not get out quite as early today, but we still got to see some unique views of the landscape on our way to Zion National Park.
Our hike on the Pa’rus Trail today was a continuation of yesterday’s hike down the Virgin River. We started at the Court of the Patriarchs and hiked downstream to the Visitor’s Canter.
This part of the hike is more like a hike through a gorgeous mountain valley than a hike though a canyon. It still is a wonderful place to hike. There are gorgeous mountain backdrops to the river.
There are numerous cascades and waterfalls to enjoy.
Outside of the canyon, there is more abundant greenery to see as well.
We found even more variety of flowers too.
While we were not in as deep a canyon, there were still places that offered terrific photo opportunities.
It is amazing how colorful rocks can be. Who made those rocks so picturesque?
Most of the time, the colors come in horizontal bands. Some times they are vertical. In addition to the unique direction of the colors, there is a mesa on top of a mesa.
This rock wall jutting out from the canyon walls is both massive in size, and delicate in its shape and width.
We saw so many special sights in this canyon. They are all captured in this picture of the canyon going into the distance, and in our fond memories of this beautiful place.
The Zion National Park sign is in a place that is hard to reach. If you park to take the picture, you cannot easily get back in line. We walked to the sign at the end of the Pa’rus Trail hike. We had to walk back into the park to get to our car.
Before we left Zion Park, we drove toward the east entrance to the park. It is a very scenic drive. It is also different from the canyon part of the park.
There are still the rugged peaks.
There are also two tunnels to enjoy.
Sometimes you can catch a new perspective of mountains you saw while in the canyon. It is a great drive in another part of Zion.
Our drive back to our hotel in Hurricane Utah was still an amazing drive filled with special landscapes.
Another great day in the outdoors.