Zion National Park - Taking the Shuttle Bus

Friday, October 20th 

After babying my foot for 2 days, this morning I'm able to walk, almost normally. Yeah! I did not have to miss going into Zion NP and was able to take the shuttlebus with Ray. We left, leaving Freya with the A/C on, by 8:15 to miss all of the traffic going into the park. They have about a 2 mile stretch of road dug up, so one lane only with traffic control. It seems to take forever to get through that stretch. Wasn't too bad at 8:30 am. Yesterday coming back we were stopped for 15 minutes before continuing.

We were able to park at the Museum for Ray to get some sunrise pictures of "Towers of the Virgin".  Also by parking there, we avoided a long walk to the car at the end of the trip. (By the afternoon the parked cars line the street right through Springfield). We carried on after that to the next stop, Canyon Junction but realized the sun was not up enough yet. We boarded the next shuttle and went instead to the end of the run, the Temple of Sinawava. It was a might chilly at first until the sun came up higher in the sky so we just walked faster. lol Glad we came early as every bus load after us was full. Ray and I spent only a few hours in the park (you could have spent hours and hours if you did all of the hikes) and only walked short distances on the trails. More than enough for my foot and too much for his back, but what can you do. It's short-term pain for a lot of great pictures.

Towers of the Virgin, behind the Museum - Stop #2 of the Shuttle System

Temple of Sinawava - Stop #9

This is the last stop on the shuttle bus run, where you would go to walk up The Narrows if so inclined. We noticed that lot's of people carried on with rented waders, boots and walking sticks. To go up the narrows you walk in the Virgin River itself. Water levels appeared to be up to a foot deep. Have fun people!.  Not for us.

The Narrows is the most popular hike in Zion National Park, and one of the world's best slot canyon hikes. It is pure fun and can be tailored to suite any ability level. The trail is basically the Virgin River. The canyon is so narrow, the river covers the bottom in many spots, which means you have to wade or swim to proceed. Plan on being wet. In fact, the cool water makes this hike particularly pleasant during the hot months of summer. The best way for first-time river hikers and those with only a short time in the park. Depending on water flow, this hike is easy to moderate in summer and ok for most kids 4 feet or taller. You can hike in as far you would like and turn back at any time. From the parking lot, it is usually only 2-3 hours into the section of Narrows known as Wall Street. Return hikers find it takes 2/3 the time to hike back as it did to hike in. Early Spring yields higher water due to snow melt. October and November visitors find less people in the river. Best light for photography is between 10 am and 3 pm, May-Sept. Average hikers travel 3-4 miles up canyon and then 3-4 miles back. Bottom-Up hikers are only permitted to hike as far north as Big Springs. Accessible almost all year. Starting point is the Temple of Sinawava.

Picture from Google .... no thanks, we will pass on this!

Firstly, we turned left out of the parking lot, and viewed the river going downstream.  The sun was just starting to come into the canyon and the fall colours are spectacular. 

The "Picture Taker"

 There were quite a few mule deer along the trail. They seem to like the yellow flowers.

Looking towards the "Narrows" and the Temple of Sinawava.

Ray and I walked up the trail and stopped before it went into the canyon/Virgin River to get some pictures. A lovely paved walk with spectacular scenery.

Along the way we noticed "hanging gardens" along the cliff walls where water seepage is making pools and streams. There were even baby fish.

These mosses were dripping water.

We even saw water bubbling up in a puddle amongst tree roots.

Big Bend - Stop #8

The walk down to the river here was quite steep and a long way down so we passed on getting closer to the river.

Great White Throne

Weeping Rock - Stop #7

As we'd walked up the steep hill to the weeping rock and took pictures of the hanging garden last time we were here, 6 years ago we decided to give it a miss this time. Here is 2 great pictures Ray took from the last time.

Hanging Garden hundreds of feet up.

Weeping Rock

The Grotto - Stop #6

This stop is where you can take a trail to the Upper and Lower Emerald Pools and end up at Zion Lodge.  We took some pictures by the bridge that you cross to access the trails and went back to the road. Saw some of the hikers coming back from the trail ... they looked pretty tired.

Zion Lodge - Stop #5

While Ray wandered over to the river, I went into the cafe and ordered a hot dog ... starving! Apparently the views from here were not too picture worthy as we did not go onto the trails.

Court of the Patriarchs - Stop #4

I took this picture with my phone ... not too shabby.

Canyon Junction - Stop #3

 We did stop at this spot on the way up the canyon but the sun was not up enough yet, but Ray did try for a couple of shots anyways.

Good morning sunshine.

 The next two pictures were taken later on in the morning on our way back to the car.

Where's Ray ... setting up for the "best" picture?

Much better pic with the sunshine.

and then back to the Museum and the Towers of the Virgin - Stop #2

Our lovely morning at an end. Back to the car. We lucked out on the way back, the traffic was moving through the road work section this time, instead of having to wait 15 minutes. Once home it was "toes up time" for Ray in bed, with extra pain meds and I hooked myself up to my Dr. Ho to help with my feet. Tomorrow, our next destination is only 1/2 hour away so Ray will have another easy day to recoup while I restock the larder. Costco and Walmart less than 15 minutes away from campsite. lol

We had a fabulous time here.