Zion Canyon
We parked at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and took a shuttle bus into the 2,400 foot high canyon. Dan had his bike and I had my boots. We, and just about everybody else on the bus, got off at The Grotto stop. Dan spent the next few hours exploring the Canyon on his bike and hiked part of the way to Hidden Canyon. He was able to get close to some wild turkeys and mule deer in the early morning.
Early morning shadows in Zion Canyon
West Rim Trail
To give credit where credit is due, the Park Service had done a nice job of attaching chains along the exposed portions of the Trail. What scared me were people closing their eyes and grabbing for anything, and folks stopping or duck-waddling across exposed areas. Oh well, maybe I am starting to become a wee bit more cautious as I grow older.
After awhile I hiked back to the bus stop, took the shuttle to the Visitor Center and caught up with Dan. From there it was a few hours drive to Las Vegas which completed our Utah journey, and a fine one it was! It is a hard combination to beat; good weather, great scenery and the world’s best guide.
Early morning light on the canyon wall
Phlox
I wasn’t alone on the trail
Long look down to Virgin River
Colorful canyon walls
Moderate section of the trail
Top of canyon walls
Steep portion of trail
An eroded area in the sandstone
Steep section
A cactus ready to bloom
Zion Canyon in the early afternoon
John, in the picture of the big basin, do you know what created it and how long ago? Probably volcanic or merely erosion. Just wondering.
It’s not glacial. I think it was formed by the constant erosion from the VIrgin River and its tributaries.