Travelogue; Zion National Park

 

Welcome to Day 2 & 3 of the Travelogue!

After Page, AZ, we knew our next destination was

Zion National Park. We decided to stay overnight

somewhere in between, in Kalab, UT because we did

some research and found that Coral Dunes State Park

was nearby, and it peaked our interest. So needless to say

stop one of day 2 was Coral Dunes State Park.

Coral Dunes State Park

Coral Dunes State Park is located between Mount Carmel

and Kanab. The unique Coral Dunes are formed from

erosion of pink colored Navajo Sandstone surrounding the park.

Strong winds pick up loose sand and drop them 

on the dunes. These Dunes are estimated to be

between 10,000 and 15,000 years old, so you

can imagine how vast they were! These Dunes

have become a popular spot for local ATV and motorcross

biking, and the occasional off-roading (if you're into that).

We did not have any of these vessels, so we 

decided to take a trek along them. Let me tell you,

hiking across sand was challenging, especially

when we decided to clamor atop the highest peak 

we could find. We spent a couple hours here, taking

in the scenery, and then it was time to head

to Zion!

Zion National Park

I once read somewhere, it's good to feel

small sometimes; and that is exactly how we felt

in Zion, small, but humbled. I immediately experience 

chills as we pulled into the park. Never in my life

have i felt so small and awestruck by nature.

It was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced

before. The park is absolutely spectacular.

The entrance fee to the park was $25 for a 7 day

pass, with a 45 minute scenic drive to the visitor

center where you could find park information

and public shuttles to navigate the grounds.

We had done some research and knew a few of

the trails we were going to tackle the next

day, so we decided on our first day that we would

"wing it" and hop on the shuttle, get off at a stop

and hit up some hikes.

Our first hike was a bit of a happy accident. While

we thought we were heading to an "easy" trail 

to the Weeping Rock, about an hour or so into 

a somewhat strenuous hike uphill, we realized we 

were actually on our way up to Hidden Canyon.

Once to the top, the trail took us a little 

off the beaten path into the canyons. There

we were, hidden between two great walls of

rock, feeling pretty speechless at the crazy

way nature created such unique formations

and taking in the views.

Angels Landing

Day 3 (and Day 2 of Zion) we were tackling 

Angels Landing a trail we had been "warned"

about by various websites and other travelers because

of its' unique trail; A 3 ft wide narrow trail, cut into solid rock on

the spine of a mountain. If your curious about it,

google it!

The trail to Angels Landing is 2.4 miles 

It roughly follows the path of the Virgin River

 The trail starts slow, gaining elevation in sandy terrain.

 As the trail gets steeper, it becomes paved. 

After a series of steep switchbacks, the trail goes flat 

in between Zion Canyon. Then the hard part, Walter's Wiggles. A series of 21

 steep switchbacks before Scout Lookout.

 The wiggles are named after Walter Ruesch, who was the first superintendent

 for Zion National Park and constructed the switchbacks in 1926.

As soon as we got to Scout's Landing, we had some

very minor aprehensions after seeing Angels Landing 

up close. But as the saying goes,

we had come this far, there's no 

turning back now. And it was all worth it.

The views of Zion when you reach the top

are some of the most stunning views you will 

ever experience in your life.

Emerald Pools + River Trails

After Angels Landing, we hit up

three most moderate - easy trails to wrap

up our time in Zion. Upper Emerald Pools

was a moderate trail that led up to a pretty 

astounding water fall. It was a great place

to sit and just enjoy the scenery around us

and all the natural beauty that enveloped 

us. After that, we headed back to the 

visitors center by way of a couple

River Trails and back to our lodge

Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

 Zion Ponderosa Lodge

Ponderosa is an AMAZING place to stay if

you are looking. The grounds

 offer 4000 acres of lodging & recreation 

on the edge of Zion National Park and near Bryce

 Canyon, equipped with an on-site restaurant,

a pool, hot tub, showers, mini golf and more!

AND, breakfast was complimentary...and good!

Great way to fuel for a long day of hiking.

We stayed in the glamping tents, and 

would definitely return!

 gypsy