March 31, 2017
After my very windy and very warm (90 F) overnight at Death Valley National Park, I was on my way to Zion National Park in Southern Utah. I had risen early to see sunrise at Dante’s View and then left the park on the 4 1/2 hour drive to my next park stop.
Again, I had not done much research on these parks outside of ensuring I had a campground booked and I knew that I could reasonably drive between my chosen locations. Prior to my visit I knew that this park would be a little colder than the first two parks, but I was (perhaps naively) hoping that it would be warm because it was almost April and I mean, really, it was Southern Utah, practically the desert.
Upon my arrival it was lightly drizzling rain and I could see the remnants of snow on the ground and on the cliff tops surrounding the canyon at Zion. I waited in the very long line-up of cars waiting to get to the entrance of the park. Once I was in I headed straight to the Watchman Campground to get my bearings. I asked the volunteer working the campground entrance what I should do with my afternoon at the park. He suggested the Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools, the Narrows, and to take a walk along the water back to the campground. He did caution, though, that since it was cold and rainy a longer walk might not be the most fun option for the day.
I made my way over to the visitor center and then boarded a shuttle that would take me to the Narrows and I could start on my adventure!
Starting out at the Narrows trailhead, or the Temple of Sinawava Riverside Walk, there is a paved walkway that is partially wheelchair accessible. Once there are steeper grades and the trail is a little more rough, the riverwalk is still easy to navigate. At the end of this trail there is a sandy grade down to the river’s edge. When I visited in March of 2017, I truly thought that seeing this part of the Virgin River was “The Narrows.” I took some photo of the river at this area and made my way back. My knowledge of the Narrows would not really change until summer of 2020 when I realized that to “do the Narrows” one must navigate the river by hiking through the water. My experience in 2017 though was perfect and just what I needed!
I jumped on the shuttle to go to the Weeping Rock. This hike was short, but sweet. The feature here is a rock formation with a spring that keeps water constantly running through the rocks, making the cliff side appear to be “weeping” or always wet.
My last hike for this park was the Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools. The park overall was not very busy, likely due to the cool rainy weather. I did not encounter many other visitors on the hike, but when I got to some of the pools and the waterfall there was father/son hiking pair. They were trying to take photos together and I offered to take a photo for them and in turn they took some photos for me, so I have a very cool picture of my standing near the waterfall.
After the hike at Kayenta I made my way back to the campground and settled in. I made my camp in the car again and snuggled in for the night. Getting ready for my early departure the next day to Bryce Canyon National Park!
Daring, Dangerous, and Defining 