Located in Southern Utah, Zion National Park is 229-square miles of protected natural landscape. The prominent feature is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile long gash in the landscape that is up to a half a mile deep in some areas. The canyon has been carved over time, through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone that makes up the region, by the Virgin River. It is truly an awe-inspiring example of what the forces of nature can do. Despite the rugged terrain, life flourishes in the canyon and each area has its own ecosystem. From the Mojave Desert near the canyon floor to pines of the Colorado Plateau, there is a great abundance of species.
| Kristina and myself at the entrance to Zion National Park. |
Small tribes, including the Anasazi, began habitation in the area around 15,000 years ago and have found meaning in the locations in the canyon. Then in 1858 the Mormons began settling the area, which was then inhabited by the Paiute Indians, building their houses near the canyon floor. In 1872 John Wesley Powell, who is famous for his explorations on the Colorado River and as the second director of the US Geological Survey, surveyed the area and recorded the name as Mukuntuweap, a Native American word meaning “Straight Canyon”. In 1903 the artist Frederick S. Dellenbaugh began painting in the canyon; this led to them being displayed during the Saint Louis World’s Fair of 1904. President William Howard Taft signed a proclamation creating Mukuntuweap National Monument to protect Zion Canyon and the surrounding area. The first road was built in 1917, followed by the park being expanded and renamed Zion National Monument (due to the belief that the previous Indian name would deter visitors) in 1918 by President Woodrow Wilson. The following year Congress voted to give the area National Park status on November 19.
We arrived at the park at the eastern entrance after driving from nearby Bryce Canyon National Park, which we had visited earlier in the day. Entering through the gate, we simply showed our new “America the Beautiful: The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass” and our photo ID and went straight in. Immediately after driving in you are engulfed into the canyon’s beauty and magnificent walls. Stone cliffs rise around you, demonstrating the amazing power of water. We are able to pull over and stop along the two-lane road at various scenic lookouts. The views of the stone walls, carved out layer by layer are almost otherworldly. As we continue to drive through the canyon we approach a small stop and after a brief moment, we see our next surprise. Between 1927 and 1930 a 1.1-mile tunnel was built into the side of the canyon wall. We begin our drive, in almost complete darkness except the “galleries” (windows carved into the tunnel) that allow us to catch glimpses of the canyon outside. This is however just a preface of what is to come on our journey. As we exit the tunnel we are greeted by an amazing view, as we are now almost a half a mile down in the canyon. The stone walls are now rising above us, offering nowhere to go except further into the canyon. It is like stepping into a dream, although I am unsure that something this beautiful could ever be imagined. We continue our drive down the road towards the visitor center and the busier end of the park.
Once we arrived at the Visitor Center we took a quick look at the displays set up, and of course got our National Parks Passports canceled in the gift shop. From here we board the tram (many areas of the park are only accessible via the tram during the busy summer months, and it is included in the $30 entrance fee to the park). As we relax we are shown amazing views of plateaus, awe-inspiring natural beauty, and some brave rock climbers as they scale the sometimes jagged canyon walls. There is a narration that explains what you are seeing, giving you an insight into the history and science of the park. Trails and climbs are littered all through the park, each with their own amazing destinations. We, however, have our minds set on one in particular. The Narrows.
The last stop gets us to the trail head of a paved 2 mile (round trip) hike along the Virgin River. Signs warn “Beware of Flash Floods” at the entrance of the area and give a weather prediction of one occurring as the result of snow runoff and storms to the north. Fortunately for us, today’s chances are “slim”. We take our time as we hike, enjoying the scenery and our conversation. As the end of the path approaches the beginning of the Narrows, we take in the beauty of what we are seeing. The cliffs of the canyon are now tighter than the rest of our day, seemingly rising straight up from the edges of the river. Kristina and I would love to climb into the river and explore what it must look like deeper into the canyon. We, unfortunately, do not have the equipment or the preparation for that journey yet. It will have to wait until our return visit. We hiked back to the stop and enjoyed on of the last shuttles back to the Visitor Center for the day. With night beginning to approach, and hunger starting to set in, we concluded our day at the National Parks. The drive towards the interstate was enjoyable, with some great views and we begin planning our next journey.
| Kristina posing on the trail by the river. |
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From the Author
I would like to personally thank you all for reading the “Journey to the National Parks” Blog. It is my goal to be able to provide you with a fun and informative story about America’s Greatest Idea. Comments and suggestions for future journeys are always welcome and I hope to hear from you. Kristina (who I am happy to say is now my wife) and I have been very busy since my last post and I want to apologize for that. I can proudly tell you that I will now be posting weekly in this blog about our journeys to sites in the National Park Service. As we travel along I will offer helpful tips and product reviews for you, so that you too can start your Journey to the National Parks. Again thank you, and I hope you enjoy the stories.
| Looking into the Narrows. |
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