Live Simply Dye Often: August 2011

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Hiking to Observation Point, Zion NP, Utah

While last year we really loved hiking to Angel's Landing, we decided with only one full day in Zion, that perhaps we ought to do another trail with spectacular vista views. Of course, we opted for a harder trail than last year.

Sidenote: last year Zion was one of the last parks we visited, knowing that we'd want to attempt the nearly 5-mile and 1488 ft ascension to the peak, and worked up our stamina to be able to do it. I guess I figured since we managed the 7-mile and 1100 ft ascension at Harney Peak merely days before, that we'd be fine doing a harder and longer trail.

The trail to Observation Point begins at the Weeping Wall trail-head and it starts climbing almost immediately. This trail is an 8-mile round-trip with a 2147 ft ascension and is not for those who are afraid of heights. However it's almost entirely paved and switchbacks make it do-able.

It begins with a series of switchbacks that quickly lead you up the side of the rock-face, producing more and more beautiful views at every turn.

This is the last view of the main canyon for a while as the trail bends southeast into Echo Canyon. Having done little research for this particular trip to Zion, I did not realize that the canyon would narrow into a slot canyon, delving 20ft down a very narrow passageway. Frankly, this was one of our favorite parts of this hike. Maybe because it was unexpected?

Once you leave the narrow section of Echo Canyon, the trail begins ascending again up the north side of Echo Canyon and the views are of the primarily white canyon walls where trees and shrubs precariously grow, providing little shade in this arid and bright landscape.

(This photo was actually taken on our way back, but I wanted to show the trail etched into the cliff.)

Relief from the climb came in the last mile or so to observation point. It was mostly flat and occasionally provided some shade. There were several times where the view seemed spectacular enough to stop and head back, but then the trail led into an area of brush where the view is less interesting, and suddenly out of the brush and voila: 270 degree panoramic views.

Mike had fun pulling out his binoculars to see if he could spot people on Angel's Landing, which seemed a lot higher up when we were there last year - and a LOT more crowded. That place would've looked like an ant hill with the swarms of people. This year we saw very few over there.

So it took us about 3 hours to hike to Observation Point, we spent an hour at the point, just soaking in all the views (thankfully my camera also did some soaking so my brain would not have to remember it all), and then the two hour hike back down would inevitably come back to haunt us the next day.

We were too tired to cook, so in the name of a new tradition, we went back to have pizza at Springdale's Pizza and Noodles restaurant where we could sit outside and enjoy our food.

Feel free to comment. If you've been to Zion, I'd love to know what you saw and if you'd recommend other hikes. Though I have a hard time wanting to go back to parks I've already seen - there are just so many and I want to see them ALL - I could go back to Zion. It's so beautiful.

Photos copyright Katrina Kouba Boles

Next up: Bryce Canyon NP, Utah

This is a series on our 2011 trip. Here are the previous posts:

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Zion NP, Utah

I'm not usually keen on visiting the same place year after year on my vacations. However, as I talked about in my last post on Grand Teton, the weather was not cooperating. Last year we vacationed in Southern Utah, visiting 10 National Parks and monuments in two weeks. It was a bit insane and though we feel no need to return to some of those parks, Zion and Bryce were two parks we wanted to re-visit.

Our drive, once we left the Jackson Hole area, was beautiful. Gorgeous sunny weather and perfect temperatures. We pulled off the highway and met Dr. Murdoc Henderson, cycling from the West coast to the East coast to raise money for deaf South Africans. He founded the organization Intaba, Inc. At the rate he was riding we figured he'd make it to MO before we would.

Anyway, we arrived at Zion, set up camp and then took the bus into the park to do a quick hike. We decided to hike the emerald pools trail (one we didn't do last time).

Campsite at Zion South Campground

Court of the Patriarchs, Zion NP

Waterfall to Lower Emerald Pool

Photos copyright Katrina Kouba Boles

In case you missed my posts from last year's visit to Utah, here are some easy-access links:

Next up: Hiking to Observation Point, Zion NP

This is a series on our 2011 trip. Here are the previous posts:

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Grand Teton NP

Our original plan was to spend five days in Yellowstone, then two days at Grand Teton before heading down to Rocky Mountain National Park. All the snow in Yellowstone made it impossible for us to do the hikes we wanted and after four days of geysers, we'd had enough. So, we decided to leave a day early for Grand Teton. The weather was gorgeous. Perfect blue skies and perfect temperature.

So we found a campsite with a decent view, and then hiked around Jenny Lake, through some snow, to Hidden Falls. The views of the lake were quite stunning, but since we were hiking at the bottom of the mountain, we had only a few beautiful views of the mountains and that was a bit disappointing.

By the time we got to Hidden Falls, the wind had picked up, bringing the clouds with it. So we decided to head back to camp. By the time we got near our campsite, the wind was ripping white-caps into the lake and the rain was coming at us diagonally. Our tent was continually collapsing and we eventually decided to pack up and head out to get dinner.

Feeling down and concerned that the weather channel was predicting seven more days of storms and rainfall. We discussed our options, and eventually decided that it would be worth it to change our plans. The prediction for southern Utah showed 0% rain, sunshine and 70-80 degree weather. Now, we had planned on a colder trip, so we were less prepared for the warmer weather, so it meant stopping to get some short-sleeves and possibly some shorts. But the idea of changing our plans reinvigorated my excitement for vacation and we loved our visit to Utah last year. So, the next day we were off to Salt Lake City for one night, and then we headed on to Zion and Bryce Canyon, Utah!

Photos copyright Katrina Kouba Boles

Next up: Zion NP, Utah

This is a series on our 2011 trip. Here are the previous posts:

Sunrise at Yellowstone

This was how our day started. It was early and very cold. We got up to watch the sunrise from fishing bridge and it was worth it. Numb fingers made it difficult to take photos, but the view was stunning.

Frost on Fishing Bridge, Yellowstone NP

Photo by Mike Boles

Unless otherwise noted, all photos copyright Katrina Kouba Boles

Next up: Grand Teton NP

This is a series on our 2011 trip. Here are the previous posts:

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