{"id":2005,"date":"2022-06-07T21:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T01:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/?p=2005"},"modified":"2023-05-19T20:35:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-20T00:35:08","slug":"june-7-2022-trip-6-day-25-zion-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/?p=2005","title":{"rendered":"June 7, 2022 : Trip 6, Day 25 – Zion National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We woke up early this morning to beat the crowds and the heat. Our early drive to Zion National Park provided morning light that gave the scenery a unique appearance. Dark and light played against each other to show us a new look to a mesa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In some places we were in the shadows and the mountains were in the light. Mountain colors were much more vivid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And occasionally we got a sunrise shot even though daybreak had already happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was not that long a drive to the entry gate, The lines were not long, but here at least the light was fairly bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Because of the differences in the canyon, we still saw some interesting light play on the canyon walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As we drove toward our first destination of the day, we ended up behind a shuttle bus. As we prepared to turn into the main canyon, we learned that we could no longer follow the shuttle. The road to the main canyon is only for shuttle buses or people staying at the lodge in the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we did a quick u-turn, drove back to the visitor center, and hopped on a shuttle. While riding the shuttle, we reviewed its route and schedule. We modified our plan for the day based on the shuttle schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That worked out well because our first stop was now The Narrows hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There is a sudden change in the width of the canyon at this point. It is obvious why this is the furthest shuttle stop into the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Once we entered the narrow part of the canyon, the temperature dropped. We were back in the shadows just like we had been at times during the drive to the park. Only this time, it did not change very often.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There was plenty of light to see everything. At one point we reached a spot where the river narrowed to about six feet across, even though the canyon was much wider. It created this very nice, short waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Soon after the short waterfall, we were in The Narrows. The canyon again narrowed significantly. Wading was required if you wanted to go any further into the canyon. We had carried water shoes for this purpose. They helped with walking in the water. Too bad we did not have the heated versions, the water was literally freezing cold. Our feet almost got numb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In spite of the cold water, we had fun wading upstream. There were a lot of people walking with us. We decided to go a little more into the canyon than we originally had planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

This photo shows why this section is called The Narrows. In some places the water goes from wall to wall.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We decided to turn back at this point. Notice the difference in the light between this picture and the previous one. It was still an hour or two before the sun would shine directly into the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

As we turned back, we walked against the crowd into one of the narrow sections again.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

During the return hike, it was still cool, but it was warming up. As we neared the end of our hike, the direct sunlight was finally reaching the canyon floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the very end of the Narrows, we were walking on the dirt path rather than the paved path. We were glad we chose that path. We came across some deer that were drinking from the river. We noticed that some of the deer are being tracked electronically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, the dirt path and the paved path are very close together. Many people were taking photos of the deer from the paved path. We were enjoying a few minutes watching the deer when we realized the crowds had trapped the deer by the river. They had no way to go back to the woods they had come from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was hard to believe they could go up the canyon walls, but after we moved off of the path and approached the other people, the deer went quickly down the dirt path and then went up into the trees toward the canyon walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The entre hike of the Narrows was great. At the end of the hike, we boarded the shuttle again to ride to our next hike along the same river. This hike is the Big Bend Hike. Strangely enough, it follows a big bend in the Virgin River. Originally the hike was from one shuttle stop to another. One of the stops is currently closed, so it is now an out and back hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were many interesting views on this shorter but warmer hike. This was down at the bottom of the hill at the start of the hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We hiked about a mile along the river as it wound around a very large point in the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our hike also took us out across a meadow in this section of the canyon. We learned a little bit about trailblazing because the path was not always obvious. Our risk was small since the canyon walls kept us penned in. Still it was a challenge to hike when there was not a clear path to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When we reached the turn around point of the hike, we looked up at the rock formation that had forced the bend in the river. We noticed there were several birds floating on the air currents in the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

At the end of the Big Bend hike, we got to climb back up the path we had come down. The truth of a statement we had heard earlier in our hikes on this trip seemed true today. Every step you take going downhill is two steps on the return to the start.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Our last hike of the day was to Lower Emerald Pond. This was when we were glad we had rescheduled our day. This hike is uphill to the Emerald Pool. We did complete the hike, but we were glad we had the option to reverse course at any point. <\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our first glimpse of the Emerald Pool was a tiny waterfall going over the edge of some rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once we got under the overhanging rocks, we saw numerous waterfalls. The mist from the falls was very refreshing. The sunlight gleaming on the mist was magical. It was unbelievable how many places the water was coming out of the rock overhang into the pool below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Refreshed by the shade and mist at the overhang, the climb down was more fun than the trek up had been. We took a short shuttle ride to our last stop at Court of the Patriarchs. It was only 200 yards to the view point. It seemed like more because the path was very steep. It was well worth the steep walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have never seen the Rock of Gibraltar. I am sure it is impressive. However, there are three mountains at the Court of the Patriarchs. Each one of them is twice the height of the Rock of Gibraltar. Here is just one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are all three. Each is named after biblical fathers. From left to right (south to north) they are Abraham Peak, Isaac Peak, and Jacob Peak. Abraham Peak is the tallest at 6,890 feet. The white top of Jacob Peak rises behind the orange rock of Mount Moroni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the Court of the Patriarchs, we rode the shuttle back to our car. Then we drove back to the hotel in Hurricane, Utah. Even outside of the park, the scenery is magnificent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Today we saw even more new flora. Here are some examples of the flowers we enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our country is filled with the beauty of creation. Get out and see it for yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We woke up early this morning to beat the crowds and the heat. Our early drive to Zion National Park provided morning light that gave the scenery a unique appearance. Dark and light played against each other to show us a new look to a mesa. In some places we were in the shadows and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-national-parks","category-trip-6"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paSJDA-wl","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2005"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4167,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions\/4167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steveandmarleneontheroad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}