As we left Glen Canyon Recreation Area, we saw an information center for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. It is another relatively new national monument and it is also run by Bureau of Land Management.
We went in and learned that Grand Staircase covers one million acres and it is the last part of the U.S. to be mapped! The area was an ocean at one time. There is a skeleton of an enormous crocodile outside the entrance. In the information center someone is painting a mural of all the dinosaur fossils found in the area. As new ones are found, the dinosaur is added to the mural. It was an educational stop that was unexpected.
We continued on to Zion on highway 89. We turned west on Utah 9. At the entrance to Zion, we had to unhook the Honda as we were 2 feet over the maximum length (50 feet). Bob purchased the permit for us to travel through the 1.9 mile tunnel. The tunnel was closed to traffic heading east as Bob drove through the tunnel with Joyce following in the Honda. The road after the tunnel was one switchback after another until we arrived at the canyon floor.
We chose a campsite in South Campground as the sign said Watchman was full. We found out later that it wasn't full, but we liked our site and decided not to move.
Once we set up camp, we walked to the visitor center to get information on hiking trails. There is a shuttle to take you into the canyon where private vehicles are not allowed. The trails are near the shuttle stops. We decided to ride the shuttle into the canyon to see what was what.
As we rode, we made the decision to get off at the last stop and hike River Walk. River Walk leads to The Narrows. The walk was along a paved path near the Virgin River.
As we walked we saw two golden eagles soaring near the rocks. They must have a nest above the path.
When we got near The Narrows, we found out it was closed due to high water volume coming through the slot canyon. We couldn't even get close enough for a picture. In this picture, The Narrows would be to our left.
Some locals told us that the river runs clear in the summer months, but due to the melting snow coming off the mountains it is filled with silt now.
On the hike back to the shuttle stop we stopped for a rest in the swamp. Even though Zion is located in the desert, there is a swampy area along the trail. Bob and I discussed the odds of seeing an alligator in this swamp.
Once again, as we hiked we were aware of the tourists from Europe and Asia who were enjoying our national parks.
Monday we will hike to the Emerald Pools--Lower, Middle, and Upper.
5 comments:
Ok you are setting on my rock! Just kiddin, it sure looks familar. Hey did you make it up to the top of the water fall. Not the tippie top but where the pool is. Nice view across the valley. Cecil
Gorgeous, gorgeous, and more gorgeous! I just love seeing the pictures of all the places you've seen. The landscape is so different than I'm used to. Just breathtaking! (Well, that water is a little yucky, but I understand why at this time of year.)
Amy
Cecil,
We sat on many rocks. We are still adjusting to change in elevation. It is funny, because going down doesnt' seem to bother us!
Bob & Joyce
Amy,
I can't begin to describe the colors here! Our pictures don't show half of what it really looks like! You'll have to visit the west and show Benjamin and Lottie "America the Beautiful!"
Joyce
Hey down hill is always nice. Gail and I climbed a mountain in Arkansas once. It took two hours to get up the 2000ft. It only took maybe thirty minutes to get down even with having noodle legs. He He! Wish we were all there with you. My neice was checking out your pictures yesterday with me. She wants to go back. We were there in 2000. Cecil
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