Emerald Pools

After two days of 60 degrees and sunshine, the snow is gone at Zion.  The muddy trails are drying up.  Today we hiked three different, but connected paths—most notable was the Emerald Pools trail.  The emerald pools trail were closed until today and well worth the wait.

		Lower Emerald Pool
		Middle Emerald Pool (source of the waterfall in the lower pool)
		Upper Emerald Pool (never seems to get sun here—a bit of snow left)

Can you tell we love this stuff?  Getting the opportunity to experience all of this is simply incredible.

Kolobs Canyon

Just 20 miles north from the Zion National Park west entrance is the Kolob Canyons portion of the park.  It was an easy drive from our RV park almost all on the I-15 freeway.  We gained another 3,000 feet in elevation and hit a lot more snow.  Our day was sunny and close to 50 degrees, so the roads were completely clear.  This time of year the canyon seems to be quiet and traffic-free.  More glorious red cliffs and narrow canyons to enjoy in the fresh, cool pine-scented air.

Only one trail was open, the South Fork of the Taylor Creek, with about 6-8 inches of snow.  The trail descends steeply down to the stream.   We both enjoy hiking in snow—the area was hushed with only a slight breeze occasionally shaking the snow off the tree limbs hitting the ground with a soft thud.  The path follows the valley upstream, at first on the south side but later on either side as it crosses the creek several times--the water is fast flowing but shallow and easily crossed.   Since we were unfamiliar with the trail, we were relying on a previous hiker’s footsteps.  The footsteps ended after a mile and we were unable to reach the narrow canyon at the end of the trail.

I get to gawking at all the red rock cliffs, the pretty bubbling stream, and animal tracks in the snow.  Before you know it, Mike is way ahead and yelling that I will soon be cougar bait if I do not get going.  Yeah, yeah, I hear you….then I got nervous and picked up the pace.

Bev Doolittle Painting

“We may complete some of the moderate hikes, but the serious stuff we are leaving alone.”

Remember the words above?  I wrote them last Thursday.  Not only did we tackle a strenuous hike today, but we did in snow and ice.  The scenery up high is too tempting to ignore.  So, we purchased “Studded Snow Tires” for our feet (that is the name of the product, I did not make it up); and grabbed our hats, coats, and gloves.  Hiking up the narrow switchbacks was not bad, as long as you did not look down.  I was a little nervous coming back down, but the cleats provided ample traction.  We went up the cliff about three-quarters of the way.  Good enough.

Combined with another hike to Weeping Rock today (picture below looks out from underneath the Weeping Rock), we got some good exercise.

Besides hiking, we drove on up to the mile-long tunnel in the park.  The tunnel is very narrow and only 13 feet high.  Driving our truck through today, we had to pull the mirrors in to avoid hitting the tunnel side.  When we leave on March 8, we will make arrangements to drive through the tunnel in the middle of the road with our 5th wheel RV.  For $15, you are flagged through as one-way traffic.  Our RV is 12 feet, 6 inches high. 

You may wonder why we are here in the snow.  In late spring and summer, Zion National Park is hot and CROWDED.  After April 1, you are not allowed to drive your vehicle into the park; instead you are required to ride a shuttle with stops at the popular attractions. 

We would rather have chilly, but sunny days; and the freedom the explore the park without the crush of tourists.  By the way, our campground is 12 miles from Zion National Park with no snow and considerably warmer.

Up

Zion National Park is one ginormous canyon with multi-colored cliffs reaching 3,000 feet.  As we drive through the park, our faces are cranked skyward and our necks are sore after hours of looking “up”.  Sheer cliffs with crazy rock climbers (look closely at the picture below—see the climbers?) and hikes that are carved into the rocky mountainside.  If you do not have a fear of heights, you will be afraid on some of these trails—narrow paths with loose sand and pebbles—sheer side up and sheer cliff down.  We may complete some of the moderate hikes, but the serious stuff we are leaving alone.

This time of year the Virgin River is full and has some energy behind the rapids.  Many of the trails parallel the river and you are able to enjoy the sounds of rushing water.  In fact, our campground is on the river and our site overlooks the water.  The location is good and bad.  In January, after 10 days and nights of heavy rain, the river flooded and the RV Resort was emergency evacuated at 2 a.m. in morning.  Hopefully, this is something we can avoid.

We are here until March 8.  With the exception of a couple of days, the weather looks warm and sunny.  Things are looking…..UP!

National Park Pass

When we were in the Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas, we purchased a National Parks Pass.  The National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park charging an entrance fee. The pass costs $80 and is valid for one full year from first use in a park.  The National Parks Pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. 

Our purchase will pay for itself quickly.  We arrived at Zion National Park yesterday; and the entrance fee here is $24.  We will enter the park almost every day for the next two weeks which means the card will more than pay for itself.  Not to mention we will visit at least eight national parks this year that will have entry fees.

When we reach age 62, we can purchase the Golden Age National Park Pass for lifetime membership. 

Love a good deal.

White Domes Trail

On our way to more trails to hike, we saw a group of bighorn sheep with a couple of sheep youngsters.  The little guys were jumping with no fear from high up on rock to rock.  Little humans seem to like the same sport in our campground.  The kids scamper away from their parents and in a blink of an eye they are teetering on a ledge.  “Look at me, Dad!  Look how far up I am!”  I know you need to give your kids freedom to explore and fly from the nest, but not literally fly.

The White Domes Trail included a very narrow slot canyon.  Only walking single file will allow you to pass through.  Along the trail are remnants of the movie set for “The Professionals” with Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster.  Another movie for us to watch and pick out the Valley of Fire landmarks shown in the movie.

Another quick stop for a short walk to the Elephant Rock.  Do you see the elephant?

We were finally able to get cell phone service at this stop.  Made a few calls to the Moms and brother, John, to catch up with family news.

Mouse’s Tank

At the turn of the century there was a real bad dude around these parts (Valley of Fire State Park) named Mouse.  Not a friendly fellow; he had a habit of stealing from miners and homesteaders and then making sure they did not live to tell the tale.  He hid from the posse in the red rock canyons up a particular wash that contained a deep round depression holding water most of the year.  Hence, the name “Mouse’s Tank”.  They did not actually kill him there, but the hide-out name stuck.

Although the outlaw story is interesting, what is really special about the hike up the wash to the water hole are the petroglyphs on the rocks along the way.  (Petroglyphs are carved into the rock; pictograms are painted on the rock.  Something we learned at the Visitor’s Center today.)  The Valley of Fire petroglyphs date back 1,000s of years. 

We had beautiful weather on our outing today, but last night it rained about 1.5 inches.  The Valley of Fire State Park typically gets 4 inches of rain a year.  You do the math.  Not too many more rainy days for this location.

Besides water running in small rivers through the park this morning, we had an unexpected visitor in our campsite.  A desert bighorn sheep.  Seems he was enjoying all the new greenery from the rain.

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