Hike #3, Observation Point, Zion National Park
Elisa and Melinda decided to use a couple of personal days and take a "mental health recovery" vacation. We decided to head south to the warmer weather of Southern Utah. As we reached the destination at the end of our first hike, we decided that we hike to reach spectacular views. Observation Point (picture above) in Zion National Park is one of those views that the picture really does not do it justice. The hike is 8 miles (round trip) and starts at the same trail head as Weeping Rock. It is the highest point in Zion National Park, even higher than Angel's Landing. There are a lot of switchbacks though, we counted 27 on the way down. (They are long switchbacks too!)
Hike #4, Angel's Landing, Zion National Park
On the next day of our vacation, we decided to hike Angel's Landing. This hike is probably the one we have done the most, except for Table Rock. Angel's Landing is probably the most popular hike for those visiting Zion National Park, it is definitely the most talked about. The last half mile of the hike has a series of chains that you use as railings to help you get up the last stretch. If you are scared of heights, I would not even attempt it. In fact, there are some people who will just hike to the Scout Lookout and wait while others go ahead. This hike is 5.4 miles (round trip) and is definitely a good one to do. (We recommend going early as this is a popular hike and you can end up waiting around on the chains for a while when it gets crowded. Of course, we always recommend starting hikes as early as possible.)
Elisa and Melinda decided to use a couple of personal days and take a "mental health recovery" vacation. We decided to head south to the warmer weather of Southern Utah. As we reached the destination at the end of our first hike, we decided that we hike to reach spectacular views. Observation Point (picture above) in Zion National Park is one of those views that the picture really does not do it justice. The hike is 8 miles (round trip) and starts at the same trail head as Weeping Rock. It is the highest point in Zion National Park, even higher than Angel's Landing. There are a lot of switchbacks though, we counted 27 on the way down. (They are long switchbacks too!)
Hike #4, Angel's Landing, Zion National Park
On the next day of our vacation, we decided to hike Angel's Landing. This hike is probably the one we have done the most, except for Table Rock. Angel's Landing is probably the most popular hike for those visiting Zion National Park, it is definitely the most talked about. The last half mile of the hike has a series of chains that you use as railings to help you get up the last stretch. If you are scared of heights, I would not even attempt it. In fact, there are some people who will just hike to the Scout Lookout and wait while others go ahead. This hike is 5.4 miles (round trip) and is definitely a good one to do. (We recommend going early as this is a popular hike and you can end up waiting around on the chains for a while when it gets crowded. Of course, we always recommend starting hikes as early as possible.)
Hike #5, Canyon Overlook, Zion National Park
After two days of a lot of hiking uphill, our legs were pretty sore. As we left Zion, we decided to only do some shorter hikes, like the Canyon Overlook hike (1 mile round trip). We did this one early in the morning and so we had it mostly to ourselves. The sun was just rising as we made it up to the top. It was a great last view for us as we left Zion and headed to Bryce Canyon. (Again, go early as parking is limited at this trailhead and short hikes always get more crowded.)
After two days of a lot of hiking uphill, our legs were pretty sore. As we left Zion, we decided to only do some shorter hikes, like the Canyon Overlook hike (1 mile round trip). We did this one early in the morning and so we had it mostly to ourselves. The sun was just rising as we made it up to the top. It was a great last view for us as we left Zion and headed to Bryce Canyon. (Again, go early as parking is limited at this trailhead and short hikes always get more crowded.)
Hike #6, Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
That's right, #6! We got to do 4 different hikes. The Navajo Loop Trail is one we have done a few years before with our siblings, Jared and Teri. We were not able to do the complete loop because part of the trail was closed due to falling rocks, so we went up and back the same trail (1.2 miles roundtrip). It is a fun hike as you go down into the canyon, but you have to remember, if you go down, you must come back up. It is a tough climb back out of the canyon.
That's right, #6! We got to do 4 different hikes. The Navajo Loop Trail is one we have done a few years before with our siblings, Jared and Teri. We were not able to do the complete loop because part of the trail was closed due to falling rocks, so we went up and back the same trail (1.2 miles roundtrip). It is a fun hike as you go down into the canyon, but you have to remember, if you go down, you must come back up. It is a tough climb back out of the canyon.
Goblin Valley State Park
We also made a quick stop to Goblin Valley State Park. We wandered around among the "goblins", but it is not being counted as a hike. The landscape is pretty interesting and if you are ever traveling along I-70 in Utah consider taking a detour to this park. Goblin Valley received some notoriety recently as some scout leaders filmed themselves pushing over a boulder. They got in big trouble. We were much better behaved than that while we were there.
We also made a quick stop to Goblin Valley State Park. We wandered around among the "goblins", but it is not being counted as a hike. The landscape is pretty interesting and if you are ever traveling along I-70 in Utah consider taking a detour to this park. Goblin Valley received some notoriety recently as some scout leaders filmed themselves pushing over a boulder. They got in big trouble. We were much better behaved than that while we were there.