Sunday, March 30, 2014

Angel's Landing

The one trail that everyone talks about in Zion is Angel's Landing. The day before we left was that day. Yes it's Angel's Landing day. Remember people have died climbing it but then again people have died crossing the road. With Susan's blessing and a be careful, out the door I went. Am I nervous, hell no, more excited than anything. I park Precious(my truck, yes that's her name)and away I go. As soon as you get across the river you start a gentle climb, then it gets a little steeper and a little steeper.
Looking back at the trail...A good climb so far
If you weren't breathing heavy by now a series of switchbacks will test your lungs and make your legs burn. I can't ever remember feeling like this when I ran all those marathons. I haven't even got to Walter's Wiggles yet.
These were tough I have to admit
The trail does flatten out on a few occasions allowing time to get use to the higher elevations and to catch your breath.
Don't get close to the edge... it's straight down
Obstacles
Nice rock formations



















This gentle part quickly ends when I got to the infamous Walter's Wiggles, a series of 21 quick zigzag switchbacks.
Walter's Wiggles
After conquering the wiggles, I reached Scouts Landing and a much needed rest was required before I ascended to Angel's Landing. Many people turn around at this point and there is absolute nothing wrong with that. As I got ready to go a really strange feeling came over me. Something I haven't felt in a long, long time...fear. As I watched others go up today was not the day that I would be going.
Chain holds help you navigate the trail up
At the end of the tree branch is Angel's Landing
As I watched people come and go I knew I had made the right decision. Enjoying the view of the canyon below and the mountains above was almost heavenly.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

...more Zion

As I said in my previous blog, I'm not sure how it gets better than this. Well it does. With every new trail we explore the scenery changes but then again it doesn't. Does that makes sense. Anyone that has explored Zion probably knows what I mean. It's a continuous series of "wows" and "look at that". That being said we decided to stay in Zion to hike as many trails we could. Yes, we could have ventured to Bryce Canyon or The Arches but decided to save that for another time. At this time of the year we didn't have to wait for a shuttle, vehicles are allowed into the canyon until beginning of April. We are taking advantage of that.

I was going to do the Angels Landing but some well laid plans did not work out. I woke to a light snow on the mountains and generally a nasty day in the higher elevations.
Fog and snow in the hills...not an Angel's Landing Day
It wasn't raining or snowing in the canyon so we decided to venture out. What ever trail sparked our interest that is the one we would do. People were driving so fast to get to their hiking trail they missed this wonderful mule deer feeding on the side of the road.
Breakfast
At the end of the road lies The Riverwalk which is a 2 mile paved trail out and back. As the name indicates it follows the river on a paved path that ends at the start of the narrows. It's upstream where the Virgin River narrows and is confined within the Navajo sandstone creating a tight perpendicular gorge. Downstream the softer Kayenta Formation rock is undercut by the fast flowing river.
That water was sooooooooooo cold
After lunch we decided to also hike Canyon Lookout since it turned out to be such a wonderful day. Hopefully we might get lucky enough and see bighorn sheep. The trail lies just beyond the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel. Did someone say tunnel I didn't tell Susan until we were almost there, she does better not knowing. Prior to the tunnel we were rewarded with a view of The Great Arch.
The Great Arch
Getting to the arch and tunnel is a 3.6 miles long road consisting of many switchbacks with drop offs on one side and a mountain wall on the other.
Looking back at Zion-Mt Carmel Highway
Construction on the highway and tunnel began in 1927 and was completed in 1930. Because the tunnel was built in the early years when vehicles were not as big as the ones today, there is a height restriction.
Waiting at the tunnel for a large bus to come through
Parking at this trail head is at a premium and there appears to be a few people taking advantage of the day like us. Walking along the trail you couldn't help but notice the beauty of your surroundings.
Spring has sprung
A plank bridge with nothing below
We continued along keeping a sharp lookout for big horn sheep but I have the feeling they didn't like all the yelling and crying kids on the trail either. Getting to the end was wonderful as we sat on top of the Great Arch looking down on the canyon below.
No big horn sheep here
The return trip was a little easier since it was down hill most of the way. I always told Susan that it doesn't have to look pretty just as long as your enjoying yourself.
It ain't pretty but we had a good laugh

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Zion National Park

Spending a full week in St George was wonderful but it was time to move forward. Our destination is Zion National Park and within minutes of arriving I knew this is where I wanted to stay. There are rare places when I put my camera away and enjoy the surroundings, Zion is one of those places. But in saying that I did manage to take a few (only 500) so I will share the beauty and our adventures. Like always we had to get set up. We chose Zion Canyon RV Campground with help from our good friends Nancy and Betsy.
All set up know one around us life is good
I decided to venture out on my bike to check out the park and surrounding area. It didn't take long to look through the park as it's quite small but the backdrop is beautiful.
Having coffee each morning looking at this
The view from our back window
I sat beside this stream enjoying the peacefulness
Springdale is the small town just outside of the National Park. It's small but it's mighty having just about everything you need without going to the big city. There are places to grocery shop, tons of eating establishments, loads of hotels/motels, even a spa for after those long hikes and of course plenty of souvenir shops. It was still really early in the day and Susan wanted to get a hike in before the day ended. We decided on Lower Emerald Pools for our first hike.
Yes, I've created a monster she loves hiking
The pathway is paved to the lower pools with some steep parts. There are three sets of pools on this trail, all providing a year round habitat for a large variety of plants and animals. The upper is a moderate hike and the middle is closed for reasons I don't know. I'm not sure what I was thinking, I had thought it was going to be a nice quiet hike with very few people. Wrong! We continuously had people around us, so much for serenety. Continuing along we came to a beautiful waterfall pouring over the rocks. If it was a really hot day it would be wonderful but not! Yes we got a little wet. The rock ledge above the waterfall is harder and more resistant than underlying formations. Over long periods of time the softer lower canyon rock layers have slowly eroded away creating the 100 foot drop and the waterfall you see below.  
Water falls pouring down into the canyon
Some of the beauty along the path spring has sprung

Feeling good and wanting more we checked the time and our water supply (had enough) we continued on to the upper pools.
Lot more difficult but we took our time
It was so worth the extra mile hike. The scenery was stunning. Being able to sit and enjoy the canyon from one place.
Looking down Heap Canyon with the Virgin River in background
Virgin River running through Zion Canyon
It took us almost 3 hours to complete and we were spent not so much physically but mentally. I don't know how it's going to get any better than that. The scenery was stunningly beautiful.
Picture perfect scenery

Monday, March 24, 2014

Hiking in Snow Canyon

Susan and I decided to get away from the city to do some hiking at Snow Canyon State Park. The Park is a short 15 minute drive from the campground but it's like being in another world with a wonderful collection of plants, wildlife, and colorful rock.
Snow Canyon Entrance
The park consists of 7,400 acres of lava flows and sandstone cliffs. Created in 1959, Snow Canyon has more than 38 miles of hiking trails of all levels, a 3 mile paved walking/biking trail, and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails. Did I forget to mention the cliff/rock climbing for the not so faint of heart. After a very informative visit to the ranger station they recommended the Hidden Pinyon Trail. It's a 1.5 mile self guided trail highlighting the geological features and native plants.
Happy Hikers
Snow Canyon has long been used by mankind. From 200 to 1250 A.D. the Anasazi Indians inhabited the area utilizing the canyon for hunting and gathering. The Paiute Indians used it after them until the Mormons arrived in the 1850's. Originally called Dixie State Park it was renamed after prominent pioneering Utah leaders.
The moon is out already
The canyon has been home to many Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and Jeremiah Johnson.
Oops,wrong way some guide I am
Still smilin'
 
   




















The park is located at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Colorado Plateau. With only 7.5 inches of annual rainfall, the local vegetation is adapted to desert life. The Sand Sage is adapted to the desert with it's wispy, silvery-grey, thread-like leaves and provides food and shelter for small birds and mammals.
Sand Sage
Continuing along the trail at times it got a little steep and narrow but Susan was determined that she was going to do the whole thing. I did tell her at the start it was 1.5 miles one way and she would have to do some climbing. She wanted to be adventurous.
She was loving it
One of the really cool things we came across was an area of rock called cross bedding. It was formed when ancient sand was transported by the wind caused massive dunes. As the sand grains were blown up the back surface of the dune and deposited on the down-wind side, layers formed. Later, these layers cemented together forming cross beds. Vertical lines and holes in the rock are due to erosion.
Wave-like cross beds
Found extensively throughout the park is the scrub live oak. We originally thought it was holly because it's leaves. These scrubs remain green like holly all year round.
Shrub Live Oak
We decided to sit for awhile on top of paradise to take in the scenery and serenity. There were very people around so we took advantage of it.
Nobody around how peaceful
If you have noticed a blackish-maroon coating, called desert varnish on the sandstone rock in previous pictures it is actually an accumulation of iron and manganese that is deposited as rain or groundwater moves through the rock. The more manganese found in the mineral layer, the darker the varnish. The more iron found the redder the color. Desert varnish does not erode as quickly as the sandstone it covers.
Not lava rock but desert varnish
The interpretive trail has been a good choice for Susan's first real hiking adventure. There's been lots to see and do.
More cool rock formations
Utah Yucca











She looks a little tired
Completing the trail was quite a milestone for Susan. She enjoyed it so much she indicated she would like to do it again tomorrow. We'll see tomorrow how you feel. In the meantime I wanted to check out the campground here in the park.
Main Office
Campsites with hook-ups
Campsite with no hookups
Beautiful Joshua Tree
All in all what a wonderful day. The park was fabulous including the campground. Would I stay in the park, yes. It's a little tight but the rewards are many. To wake up to the birds chirping and the sun shining on the red sandstone would be glorious. 

Friday, March 21, 2014

St George, Utah

Onward we go leaving the glitz and glitter of the Las Vegas Strip behind to move approximately 120 miles northeast to St George, Utah. It was a short days drive to our destination of Temple View RV Resort in St George. The reason for choosing this campground was it's near proximity to Zion National Park and the mild winter climate. We are still in March so snow is always a possibility when this far north. However, the day we arrived was sunny, warm, and 70 degrees. As we checked in the people were wonderful made us feel like part of their family. The park itself is half fulltime residents and half transits. We were escorted to our site and noted that it's like a sardine can, nice, neat, but everyone is crammed into a small space. Oh well, we just sleep here.
The view from our site
St George lies in the northeastern part of the Mohave Desert at an elevation just below 3000 feet. It was founded in 1861 as a cotton mission by Brigham Young, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Today cotton is no longer grown but is dubbed Utah's Dixie. The population has grown significantly in recent years. In 2012 the US census bureau indicted there were 75,561 people in the city. Religion is the driving force behind the increase in population with 92.5% of the above population being Mormon. The LDS temple sits atop a hill and is visible from everywhere in the city.
The Mormon Temple circa 1871
The downtown area has a combination of beautiful buildings, parks, and art culture.
The courthouse
School erected in 1901

Strategically placed around the downtown area are a collection of 20 sculptures by renowned artists from around the country. The purpose was to support the arts but also enrich the community by bringing fine art to historic St George.
















The Dandelion
When we arrived at the campground they informed us that the 29th Annual Temple View Resort Parade started at 11 am followed by a barbeque all for $3. Count us in. We got there early to get a good seats as I didn't want to miss this one. They reassured us it was worth a few laughs and they didn't disappoint.
Good seats right in front
Every parade has to have a Grand Marshall
Now you have to realize that most of these people are in their 70's and 80s so the parade can't be that long. What's a parade if you don't have a horse and pooper scooper.
The costume was fabulous
The park biker gang... these two crashed into each other during the parade...no one was hurt just don't let them drive a car
During the parade the guys were grilling and after the parade it was like a mad dash for food. Susan and I just sat back and snickered.
Food choice.. grilled hamburger, hot dog and/or taco salad with all the fixings
Condiment table
The line up
All in all it was a lot of fun, worth a thousand laughs, and the taco salad which both Susan and I had was wonderful. We went home with full bellies from the food and sore bellies from so much laughter.