DigitalRoadtrip: Utah, Day 6...Zion National Park

Day 6

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Sunrise over the Rodeway Inn...

In hindsight, I should have done two things very differently today. First, get to Zion National Park extra early. Parking spots fill quickly. After circling the lot by the visitors center a few times, I gave up. It was clear no one was about to leave. Eventually, I did find a spot up the road at the museum. This meant taking the shuttle back to the visitor center, then waiting on line for the one headed the other direction. Second, if I had researched, I could have bought a waterproof case for my phone. More on that later.

The drive to the the park entrance from Hurricane is about twenty-five minutes without traffic. It's a bad sign when the people walking make better time than you.

This was my second time in the park and I will be back, just better prepared for the reality. From the parking lot by the museum while waiting for the shuttle back to the Visitor Center...

The shuttles run regularly, but there was still a line to get the buses heading

out.

Eventually, I did get on the bus for the ride to the trailhead. A few stops in, Hwy 9 heads East through the park and the shuttle goes through a gate through the center of the park. My trailhead was the far end of the line, a little over twenty minutes away.

Based on how few got off the bus until the last stop, you could tell this would be crowded. A few were just walking the canyon. But, most were carrying wooden walking sticks. You can actually rent them for $5 a day at numerous places outside the park.

When I posted the question on line about the depth of the water, the general consensus seemed to be "waist deep" at its worst. Taking that into account, I was carrying a trekking pole, my Canon 6D and my phone. I've bought two "waterproof" cameras over the years, but the quality of the photos has been seriously lacking. Feeling a bit overconfident, I ventured forth.

I was fine with the water being waist deep. I just hoisted my pack higher on my shoulders. When I saw guys my size holding their packs overhead as the water reached chest high, I started getting concerned. Seeing parents lift their kids onto their shoulders and some of the other hikers in up to their shoulders, I decided to turn back.

In hindsight, turning around was the right thing to do. But, I still want to hike deeper into The Narrows someday. Now I just know what to expect. I'm okay with only going a short distance in. Next time I'll be ready and on the first shuttle out.

Instead, I took the bus back to the park lodge. Over some food and local beer I took my time assessing my afternoon.

The Emerald Pools loop trail covers three miles and visits three waterfalls. The bridge leading to the trail is currently under repair.

Not that it mattered. I was still wearing my water hiking shoes. I simply waded across the Virgin River and onto the trail.

The first waterfall, such as it was...

The second waterfall, such as it was...

The third waterfall, such as it was...

While the flow over the third waterfall wasn't that dramatic, watching a group of guys repelling down certainly was. I asked one of them about it. It's a hiking/canyoneering tour. They have anywhere from half day to multi-day tours available. Not my things, but fascinating anyway.