The forecast is for sunny skies with highs in the low 50s (but it's starting out in the 30s).
I arrive in the park a little after 8am. I quickly see that the shuttle buses are running (yea!) Without them, it will be just crazy with cars. (And I quickly see two deer.)
The high tops of the rocks are a glowing red with the morning sun. I decide to take Mt Carmel Highway (heading east out of the park) as I want to see the sun shining on the Canyon Overlook Trail. This is a 2 mile out-n-back that heads over rocks, thru a cave to a wonderful view of Zion Canyon below. It's not the first time on the trail but I like it.
As I wind up the switchbacks heading to the Zion Tunnel, I enjoy the views
see also a large buck standing on the edge of the road (and the edge of a steep downhill).
The tunnel is one mile long. Without the 3 "windows" to let light in, it would be a bit claustrophobic (in my opinion).
The trail starts at the exit from the tunnel. I'm lucky to snag one of the last parking spots.
Up the trail I go enjoying the views along the way.
And then thru the cave
And finally to the viewpoint looking down into the canyon.
(Love the all the views at the viewpoint!)
Time to head back into the park and hop one of those shuttles.
My original goal is to hike to Observation Point. It's a 8 mile (round-tripper) with about 2100 ft of elevation gain. But I still have a sore knee.... I'll give it a shot. So off I go to Bus Stop #7. (The bus is packed.)
I see one deer as we travel to Bus Stop #7 (the Weeping Rock stop). Lot's of folks getting off here (it's about 10am). I might have a lot of company.
But first, I see 2 deer across the street near the Virgin River so I head down to see the river.
And the deer.
(And let all those people who just got off the bus to get a head start.)
Now it's my time to head up the many, many switchbacks.
The trail is concrete (some of it broken) but it's smooth going. Great views of the Weeping wall as I pass over it. (The dark spot towards the bottom.)
And the valley below -- somewhere out there is the infamous Angels Landing across the canyon.
At 0.8 miles and 850 ft gain, I reach the Hidden Canyon Trail. Unfortunately, the trail is closed due to torrential rain caused rock slides earlier this year. (The Upper Pool on the Emerald Pool trail is closed from the same storm as well.) I continue upwards.
Soon the trail flattens as it enters canyon.
Absolutely love this section. Big rock, steep drop offs,
and the canyon itself.
Up and around this water-filled slot, the beauty continues.
Until it opens up a bit.
See my first bird -- I think a Canyon Wren.
I go just a little farther but my knee is telling me to stop so time to head back down. :( (I'm probably close to 2 miles in with 1000ft gained.)
Heading down I just enjoy the sunnier views!!
(There are now 6 deer down by the river. And lots of people.)
Once down, I catch the shuttle down to the end of the road -- the Temple of Sinawava with the River walk trail (1 mile one-way).
It's sunny here - yea! But very crowded as I start down the paved trail. The river is on the left. Sometime close and sometimes not.
At one point, I pass another weeping wall complete with small ferns.
On the way back, I walk partly along the river on a sandy path. I get to watch a Dipper hunt. He dives into the water several times and then pops back out on a rock to continue the hunt. Pretty fun stuff.
Great day! (Looking forward to tomorrow -- it's supposed to be snowing in the park -- it's Christmas!!
