Zion National Park

A short drive from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon put us at Zion National Park. I really knew little going in to the park except that it was in Utah, so it was probably pretty neat. What I found was that "pretty neat" doesn't even come close to doing it justice.

Zion is similar to Glacier National Park in its extreme peaks and valleys but is centered around one canyon (Zion Canyon) and is made up of dramatically-colored sandstone. Private vehicles are prohibited in much of the park, so we rode the shuttle bus down the canyon, which starts out narrow and tall and becomes wider and flatter. The canyon walls tower over 1000 feet on either side; you have to look all around, including straight up, to take it all in.

We first hiked to the Emerald Pools to get out in the canyon and up close to the towering walls. The pictures hardly do the enormous scale of the canyon justice. 

The canyon wall

Looking across the canyon

Zion Canyon is essentially a younger Grand Canyon: both are formed by river and runoff erosion, but Zion is currently much earlier in its life cycle, and thus much smaller. Both are carved from similar rock in the Colorado Plateau; the signature rust-colored weak sandstone.

Zion's intricate layers and colors of sandstone eroding away

Our second day there, we hiked to Angel's Landing. The trail is ridiculously steep for the first couple miles:

and then turns into a climbing adventure. For the last three-quarter mile, the trail is really a balancing act along sandstone cliffs and ridges. There are no rails or fences to keep you in; only a chain to hold on to while climbing.

Looking back on the trail from Angel's Landing

The trail is bordered by canyon walls and dropoffs...

and only a couple feet wide in some places.

It was a test of will even for us to get out to the end: but it was worth it. The top has panoramic views of the canyon in both directions and was definitely the highlight of our trip to the park.

Looking downstream to the wide, flat valley

Looking upstream into the narrow canyon

Colorful canyon walls

It's hard to capture the park in pictures and words. It's a more colorful, more accessible Grand Canyon that you can be immersed in, hike around, and actually walk around and touch. Angel's Landing is one of the best hikes we've done on the trip as far as great views. It was an all around great experience and has us excited for the rest of our time in Utah!