Wow! On March 31st a few years ago my old friend Dan, the world’s best tour guide, and I ventured to Zion National Park.

It was a bluebird day with lots of sun. We drove the length of Canyon Scenic Drive to the Temple of Sinawava, enjoying the spectacular views.

Driving back a short way, we stopped at the Weeping Rock parking area. As a side note, this was the last day of allowing cars in the Canyon until late in the year. Shuttle buses are used by visitors during the spring and summer to tour the Canyon, unless they have bikes.

I hiked the short distance to Weeping Rock and enjoyed the hanging gardens as water trickled down the rocks.

After returning to the main trail, I began the hike to Hidden Canyon. The East Rim Trail switchbacks up a cliff face before reaching the Hidden Canyon Trail.

This Trail follows a ledge along the cliff face to the east for another mile before entering a slot canyon with high cliff walls. The ledge is fairly narrow with exposed sections of 700 vertical feet. For the most part chains are anchored along the ledge wall to provide support.

At the mouth of Hidden Canyon there was a small pool of water with a nice place to sit. After exploring the Canyon, I returned to the pool, enjoyed a snack and drank in the views.

It was my first visit to Zion. It was not my last.