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April 19, 2020August 4, 2024

Western USA Road Trip: Zion National Park

This post is part of a series called Western USA Road Trip
Show More Posts
  • Coming “Home” And Doing a Long US National Parks Road Trip
  • Western USA Road Trip Journal
  • Western USA Road Trip: Planning
  • Western USA Road Trip: Sequoia National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Kings Canyon National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Yosemite National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: San Francisco & Napa Valley
  • Western USA Road Trip: Redwood National and State Parks
  • Western USA Road Trip: Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Crater Lake National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Waterfalls in Oregon
  • Western USA Road Trip: Olympic National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Mount Rainier National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Seattle
  • Western USA Road Trip: North Cascades National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Yellowstone National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Grand Teton National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Great Basin National Park
  • Western USA Road Trip: Zion National Park

Journal entry for September 18-20, 2017

From Beaver it took us 2 1/2 hours to drive to the entrance of Zion National Park. Lining up in our car to enter the park at 10:30am, we saw a sign saying that all campgrounds were full. I had forgotten how busy Zion gets. I did some research later and found out that Watchman Campground is reservation only, but South Campground is first-come-first-serve. To get a site there though you have to show up very early, preferably around 6am. That’s what we planned to do the next day.

We called a few private campsites outside the park entrance and found one with camping spots for $40 + tax. A total ripoff but it was convenient and close.

Zion has a nice shuttle system that takes you to many of its most popular areas. Car access is not allowed on some roads to ease congestion. We took this shuttle to the start of the hike to Observation Point. It’s quite a pleasant and scenic ride through Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Observation Point is a trail I had not hiked in my previous two visits to Zion. It’s about 8 miles round trip, with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Having done a lot of hiking in the previous weeks, we were in great shape and didn’t find it hard. The trail starts with a series of switchbacks, then goes through spectacular canyons, followed by more switchbacks before flattening out.

Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park

The views from the top were great. We hung out there for a while for the sun to go down a bit for better lighting. There was a guy taking pictures who had brought a sleeping bag and was planning to sleep up there.

Observation Point, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail switchbacks, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail switchbacks, Zion National Park

We didn’t run into any other hikers on the way down. We did get super lucky and saw about 15 bighorn sheep moving across a steep slope.

Bighorn sheep on Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Bighorn sheep on Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park
Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park

It was already dark when we returned to the trailhead and boarded the shuttle to take us back to the park entrance.

Determined to get a camping spot inside the park, we got up at 5 am the next morning and arrived at the entrance of South Campground at 5:30am. We were first in line but cars slowly started to line up behind us after that. The staff arrived at 7am and at 7:30 we were assigned site #74, a beautiful, spacious, and sheltered spot by the river.

South Campground, Zion National Park
South Campground, Zion National Park

We spent a lazy morning doing research on Bryce National Park and the gear we would take to our upcoming trip to Nepal. The temperature was very hot after lunch, so instead of hiking we just went to the Visitor’s Center and the Human History Museum.

Right before sunset, we drove east through a series of cool tunnels and hiked the short Canyon Overlook Trail to see the sun go down.

Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park

We slept in the next morning and did the short and busy trail to Watchman Lookout.

Watchman Trail, Zion National Park
Watchman Trail, Zion National Park

After the afternoon heat, we headed to the highlight of the park: Angels Landing. I had done this very unique hike before and loved it, and I knew Jenni would love it too. We started from the trailhead at around 5 pm.

Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park

The switchbacks that I remember tired me out so much last time were not too bad this time around.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park
Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park

The final approach though was scarier and steeper than I remembered. This is really not a hike for people scared of heights.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park

It was very windy at the top, so we didn’t stay long.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing, Zion National Park

Zion can be very crowded (almost at Yosemite levels), but it’s still one of the most beautiful and unique National Parks I have visited.

We continued our plan to visit all of Utah’s five National Parks the next morning, heading towards Bryce Canyon National Park.

Posted in Travel, Hiking, Photography, Americas, United States, Zion National Park
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kevinstravel

Rough race and not the result I was looking for. W Rough race and not the result I was looking for. Was targeting a sub 2:55 but finished in 3:31. It felt hard from the start and had stomach issues later on. Still proud of the effort and finish.
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