Zion NP Utah

: Zion NP is llocated in southwestern Utah.

: The most prominent features of the 229 sq. mile park are Zion Canyon in the east & Kolob Canyon in the north west.

: Zion Canyon is 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep

: Many people feel Zion NP is every bit as awesome as the Grand Canyon. In addition to driving through it, there are several hiking trails as well.

: Zion can be accessed from the north from Interstate 15 & the east by the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway which passes through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive provides access to Zion Canyon. This tunnel, built in the 1920′s, opened the region to motor tourism.

: the toughest challenge in building it was the cliff above so a one mile tunnel was built behind the cliff face.

: Views of the National Park as you drive & hike the trails are breathtaking & awesome.

: Checkerboard Mesa is one of the notable sights along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

: It is a unique geological formation of Navajo Sandstone. It is grooved vertically & horizontally by forces of nature.

: The unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red.

: They sometimes are described as sand castles crowning desert canyons

: “Towers of the Virgin”

: The peaks of the Towers of the Virgin include the West Temple, Sundial & Altar of Sacrifice

: All rise more than 3500 ft from the Zion Canyon valley floor.

: The “West Temple” is the tallest at 7810 ft.

: The “Sundial” – 7590 ft. above Zion Canyon’s floor

: The “Altar of Sacrifice – 7505 ft. above the Zion Canyon’s floor

: Closer view of the “Sundial”

: Another view of the “Altar of Sacrifice”

: The “Natural Bridge” also known as Crawford Arch named after William L. Crawford who lived on a farm at this site.

: The Visitor Center

: Virgin River

: The Riverside Walk Trail follows the Virgin River.

: Canyons in Zion & the Virgin River cutting through

: Riverside Walk Trail

: “Towers” of Zion seen along the Riverside Walk

: Hiking trails through the canyons provided entirely different colorful views of the canyons than our scenic drive

: Riverside Walk

: Hikers crossing the Virgin River to get to another hihing trail.

: Hubby John on the Riverside Walk

: Magnificient Canyons along the walk

: Zion is also a center for rock climbing, with short walls being very popular

: So many towering canyons to see as we hiked!!

: “West Temple” in the distance

: After a heavy rain or during spring runoff, the cliffs of Zion may be streaming with falling water.

: Plunging a thousand feet or more, they can be spectacular, but some last only minutes. Their tracks, however, remain visible

: Full of desert minerals, the falls leave black streaks where the water evaporates.

: The Virgin River was fairly low as the weather had been pretty dry but we did see several waterfalls such as this one.

: A small waterfall coming over the canyon wall

: Along the banks of the Virgin River as it travels through the shaded canyon with the sun shining brightly in front of us

: These afternoon views of the River & the canyons in different light were spectacular

: Hiking the trails in Zion provides one with some of the most awesome views of canyons one would ever see

: Court of the Patriarchs are sandstone cliffs named for three towering figures of the Old Testament.

: Named after Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, it is one of the most recognized landmarks in Zion

: Abraham Peak (6890 ft.) on the left, Isaac Peak (6825 ft.) in the center, & Jacob Peak (6832 ft.) on the right.

: They hold court over Birch Creek Canyon and that section of the Virgin River. Behind the 3 Peaks is Mt. Moroni (5690 ft.)

: In this picture you can see Abraham & Isaac Peaks with a litle more view of Mt. Moroni (5690 ft.)

: Guided horseback riding trips are also popular. Here a cowboy is bringing a group of horses to the riders.

: Virgin River

: Virgin River

: “Old Glory” back at the Visitor’s Center after our return from the Riverside Walk – an awesome experience with magnificent views

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