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Zion National Park, Part 1
Posted by Bigfoot on June 27th, 2009
Located in southwestern Utah, Zion is the state’s oldest National Park. The south entrance and visitor’s center are just northeast of the town of Springdale, on Utah state route 9. From the center, shuttle buses run up and down a seven-mile road extending into Zion Canyon, taking visitors to various attractions within the park or to trailheads where they can begin their hikes. Another set of shuttles connects the visitor’s center to Springdale. Beyond 2 miles north of the center, where route 9 veers off toward the east entrance, private vehicles are not allowed on the canyon road.
Zion Canyon was carved out by this stream, the North Fork of the Virgin River.
After crossing the Virgin River, I started up the West Rim Trail, which winds its way up this cliff. The notch in the rock face, below what looks like two black chevrons, is part of the trail.
After the notch, the trail levels off for a while, but then leads to these switchbacks, known as Walter’s Wiggles. Time to go upwards again. This is view looking back down.
The trail continues to Scout’s Lookout, about two miles from the trailhead. A branch trail leads up to Angel’s Landing, seen here from further up the West Rim trail.
Also seen from the West Rim Trail is the Great White Throne, which is actually on the opposite side of the Virgin River.
Although I had gained quite a bit of elevation hiking the West Rim Trail, this formation was still well above me. I call it the “Sandstone Rock” just to give the picture a title, but I have no idea what its official name is, if any.
On the other hand, here’s the view down.
After turning around and retreating back to the canyon floor, I rode the shuttle bus to Weeping Rock. This is not a waterfall or cascade, but a place where water comes out from inside the rock. This results from sandstone, which is relatively permeable to water, being formed on top of a layer of shale, which is much more impermeable. Because the water cannot go downward through the shale, it moves sideways through the sandstone to find its way out.
This is the sandstone face above Weeping Rock, including a ledge that’s part of the East Rim Trail.
That’s it for now, but there’s more of Zion to come.
