Falling for Zion

Sometimes you just need a dose of inspiration. Something that helps you reset and refresh. Something that gives you energy. Something that moves you.

 

The last few months have left me itching for all of that. So my boyfriend and I packed up and headed to Zion to meet up with some friends. I had no idea what to expect and was absolutely blown away by this magical place.

 

 

Sweet, sweet Zion!!!

 

 

 

 

Zion defined:

1. A heavenly city

2. A hill in Jerusalem, on which temple was built

3. A place of spiritual sanctuary

4. A land of future promise from exile

5. Utopia

 

 

 

 

Zion is located in the southwest corner of Utah between the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon and is a geological wonder of those two canyons mixed together…kind of. It is unlike anything thing else that I’ve ever seen- stunning red rock pillars, wide and rugged canyons, deep and mystical slot canyons, colorful buttes, expansive plateaus, waterfalls, natural rock arches and TRAILS! There are well over a hundred miles of wilderness trails that wind through the backcountry in addition to the main trails in the park. Normally a place like this would cause me to act like a baby calf let out of a pen and energetically run up and down and all around at high rate of speed until I collapsed in exhaustion. However, because of some recent health issues we set out to take a more leisurely tour of the landscape.

 

 

Day 1. Observation Point from Weeping Rock

 

This was a perfect way to begin our time in Zion. After four miles of steep climbing through exposed cliff edges and short bursts through deep canyons we were greeted with an expansive view of the classic Main Canyon of Zion.

 

 

 

 

Day 2. West Rim Trail from the Grotto (past Angels Landing)

 

After having to weave through a lot of tourists the first day we decided to bypass the very heavily crowded Angels Landing and check out the West Rim Trail. The 4,000 feet of climbing was worth the beauty and solitude that we found along Zion’s West Rim.

 

 

 

 

Day 3. East Rim Trail & Echo Canyon to the Weeping Rock Trailhead

 

This route probably had the biggest variation of landscape. We started on a sandy and arid trail that climbed towards the East Rim plateau with views of the Checkerboard Mesa in all directions. After snaking around Jolley Gulch we began descending into the wider sections of Echo Canyon. The trail became a bit tricky to navigate over some large sections of slab rock but we eventually found our way down into the steep and narrow section of Echo Canyon and it was INCREDIBLE. The guys patiently let me stand and gawk at the lighting, contours, towering rock walls and deep slivers of canyon that plunged down from the trail. Then after only seeing a few hikers the entire morning, we popped out onto one of the main corridor trails, joined the crowds of tourists and ripped back down to the Weeping Rock trailhead.

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, just a few days in Zion did not seem like nearly enough time. We barely scratched the surface and I already cannot wait to go back and soak up more of this “heavenly city”.

 

We reluctantly packed up at the end of the weekend and started driving home. Along the way we stopped at another southwestern wonder, Horseshoe Bend and Marble Canyon, and scrambled around the rocks and edge of the canyon. I sat there for a few moments just completely humbled and speechless by how powerful creation is. All the technology, social media, internet, and other forms of entertainment cannot even come close to filling me with the same amount of wonder and gratitude as a few days in the mountains or canyons. Zion was the perfect dose of peace and inspiration that I needed and I already cannot wait to return to this sanctuary of rocks and trails.