Zion National Park

When we arrived at our lodge in the evening, it was way too dark to see anything. In the morning, we could see that our lodge and surroundings were gorgeous...another picture perfect day...




located right in Springdale, Utah, in the heart of Zion.


We were only a short drive to the entrance of the park


our first stop was a short walk from the information center, to see some ancient petyroglyphs on some huge rock walls




Next we started driving Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, stopping at the vistas and lookout points.
The Three Patriarchs (named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) in the Court of the Patriarchs


The Great White Throne or The East Temple (??) (I think...I'm trying to label all my pictures but its hard to remember what's what. Besides, sometimes when we are driving and walking around I don't always know what we are looking at, but its beautiful so I'm snapping pictures anyway)


We stopped at Emerald Pools to take advantage of another fantastic day for hiking. The Emerald Pools trail is an easy to moderate, 3 mile round trip hike through waterfalls, pools and monoliths.


Spunky wanted to get out too so he came along...here he is posing on a bridge crossing the Virgin River. The Virgin River is one of the last, mostly free-flowing rivers in the Colorado River system. This mild looking river claims responsibility for carving much of Zion Canyon.


we saw Zion Mule Deer...


and Zion Rock Squirrels...(I know they are just rodents...but they're still kinda cute)


The Lower Emerald Pool trail is shaded by cottonwood and boxelder trees as it winds along the North Fork of the Virgin River. Moisture seeps from sandstone and mist sprays from the falls, feeding lush hanging gardens in the recessed rock.

Ferns and moss sprout from the mountainside, the trail ducks behind twin waterfalls, spilling from the middle pools, leaving black streaks of desert varnish behind.

The Middle Emerald Pools Trail continues behind the falls. After a couple of short switchbacks, and a gain of over 100' in elevation, it plateaus at the middle pools. Shallow streams cross the trail, before the water spills over the lip to the lower pool. From here you can also see a gallery of Zion Park landmarks.

The trail leading to the Upper Emerald Pool is more rugged and steep, but the upper pool at the end is worth every step. This secluded oasis is framed by colossal cliffs on three sides.

hiking back down...(Kayenta Trail?)

Further up Scenic Drive...more deer...




Next stop, a short climb to Weeping Rock, so named because of the continuous water that seeps from the alcove.



View from Weeping Rock alcove




From Weeping Rock, it was just a short drive to The Preacher and the Pulpit, a pair of freestanding sandstone columns in the Temple of Sinawave


...its easy to see why painters set up their canvases along the banks of the Virgin River in the Canyon. Even though it was November, it was still quite lush and green and the sun reflecting off the River created quite a beautiful scene. Don't get me wrong, I can't paint - but I could see how someone else could be inspired!




...driving south down the Scenic Drive...



...a clear view of the Navaho sandstone cliffs...

we headed back into Springdale for some lunch
Spunky was hungry too...

mmm....elk burger (yeah, not so much...but Spunky thought he'd give it a try)