PEAKS, PLATEAUS, AND CANYONS OF ZION

Immutable yet ever changing, the cliffs of Zion National Park stand resolute, a glowing presence in the late day, a wild calm, as water cascades from the red rock cliffs and cottonwood leaves jitter in the wind. From the beginning people sought the canyon bottom as a desert oasis. Entering the Hwy 9 East Entrance of the park was a thrilling experience. The ranger told us to unhook the rig in order to meet the challenge of all the switchbacks ahead dropping down through the walls of the steep canyon and two tunnels safely.

Our new Terra LX motor home height is 12’6”  so clearing the second one mile tunnel’s 13’ 1” maximum height meant JR had to drive through the arch tunnel down the center with no oncoming traffic. The ranger stopped traffic one way to allow him to pass in the tunnel.  I followed in the Jeep down through the winding curves along the steep canyon cliffs behind JR as we did switchbacks  for 12 miles. The descent was quite an adventure. Stepping out of the motor home at the bottom of the canyon  JR beamed, “ THAT WAS FUN.”  It certainly had added to enhancing his up and coming skills driving our new big Class A rig.  I just wonder if he had white knuckles maneuvering around all those tough curves and that dark one mile tunnel. Being a weekend, the park was crowded with visitors and traffic. It seemed so much more impacted and developed than when we first visited twenty-five years ago. 

Cottonwood trees abound with fall color everywhere

Dinner out in the wonders of nature

At the end of the main canyon scenic drive near Temple of Sinawave JR and I hiked the paved Riverside Walk path along the river. It was lovely with the yellow leaves rustling gently on the cottonwood trees.

 Reaching the Narrows, image hiking up a shallow river in a canyon that is only 20 to 60 wide with 400 foot sheer vertical walls. 

Venturing off the Zion river walk into the actual Narrows has always been on my bucket list. 

Determined to give it a go, I rolled up my pant legs and stepped into the Narrows shallow riverbed on my own with tennis shoes and hiking poles. The water was cold without being offensive, and the folks in the riverbed were fewer than other times of the year. I waded about 75 feet up along the Narrows canyon wall stepping over small rocks.  JR captured the shallow attempt on camera before I wimped out at a stronger current rushing over the rocks. No way was I up for having a chilly plunge. Boy, did my tennis shoes ever squeak full of water on the river walk trail back. 

 Angel's Landing is one of Zion's most spectacular scenic outlooks. It can be reached only by a very demanding hike on the West Rim Trail. Seeing an aerial photo of Angel’s Landing puts this trail hike on par with climbing the backside of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. 

This climb has shear drops of 1500 feet, but there are chain "railings" to hold on to in the areas where one is dangerously close to the edge. Maybe in another life without being faint of heart or gripped by vertigo we could do Zion's Angel Landing.

Morning light on the canyon peaks at sunrise 

The might and majesty of Zion Canyon from high on the rim to descending tunnels and switchbacks along the colorful rocky cliffs into the valley floor, or from beside the river beneath the ever changing beauty of the cottonwood trees to hiking the chilly waters of the Narrows one will discover the magic awaits, the meanings abound, and the memories endure.