Mile 21997

 Today we will explore a little Zion N.P.  We park the car  In Springdale, UT at the entrance to the national Park and take the free shuttle bus to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Park entrance.  

On our way to Zion National Park

 Here we change to another shuttle bus and drive up the Canyon,  At Canyon Junction the bus leaves SP-9 and enters a road closed to the general public which brings us up to our destination, The Temple of Sinawava.  From here we enter the hiking trail "The Narrows" and wade through the Virgin River, passing the Orderville Gulch, which is the deepest part of the river today.  There is quite a crowd in the river today (because it's Saturday) and after about 2-1/2 miles we decide to turn around and explore some other sites.

Temple of Sinawava and wading The Narrows

  We return to the bus stop and exit at The Grotto.  This is the starting point for a rather challenging hike, leading to the Scout Lookout, and Angels Landing.  For the latter we need a permit which we don't have, and on top we don't want to push our luck too much with Elke's knee, so we opt for the easy way and return to the Zion Lodge and enjoy the beer garden.  

At The Grotto

 After some refreshment and a bite to eat we return to our car and make the drive through Zion on SR-9, leaving the park on the east side and pick up Hwy-89 at Carmel Junction, UT.  

Views in Zion N.P.

On SR-9 going through Zion N.P.

 We pass the Coaral Pink  Sand Dunes S.P., pass through Kanab, UT and then pick up SR-389 to bring us back to Hurrican, UT and onto La Verkin, UT.  

Hwy-89 to Kanab, UT

 Here we stop at the Zion Canyon Hot Springs.  They have 50+ hot spring water pools, some of them inspired by world famous hot springs ranging from 92F to 103F and three cold water pools at 50F.  

Zion Canyon Hot Springs, La Verkin, UT

 The hot mineral pools are exactly what our old bodies need, and soon all the aches and pains are forgotten in the soothing waters.  It is already dark when we return to our camp site, and set-up is quickly done.  We will sleep like babies tonight.

"One hardly knows just how to think of it.  Never before has such a naked mountain of rock entered into our minds!  Without a shred of disguise its transcendent form rises preeminent."  -  Frederick S. Dellenbaugh, 1853-1935, American artist and topographer, painting Zion Canyon in 1903