My final hike with our group in Zion was back to the east side of the park at Many Pools, where last fall we hiked up a red leaf maple-filled canyon. This time it would be a different route, up to some hoodoos and back down into another canyon with petroglyphs.
It was all uphill for a good while, and being just two days since our Separation Canyon hike, I could sure feel it in my legs.
It was quite a climb up to the hoodoos.
Window rock.
And a good place for a break.
In my search for the ladies room I found this strangely eroded sandstone holding up a rock.
Bobbie and I went off exploring some other hoodoos and looked down upon the canyon we would be going to for the petroglyphs. It was a long way down.
Another strange but artistic looking rock.
It was really steep going down but I tried not to think about it.
Mark is probably telling us to trust our shoes again.
Looking back up to the hoodoos where we had just been.
Once we got down it was a colorful hike through the canyon to get to the petroglyphs.
The national park does not publicize the petroglyphs to keep the masses away, but with the internet you can easily find out where they are. I won’t tell.
They do have the area fenced off for protection.
Mark and Bobbie had a little discussion about which way to go to get back to the cars, but Mark decided to follow Bobbie and it turned out to be the wrong way. The detour took us through a little slot canyon, though, so it was fun except for all the rocks we had to walk on.
It was another great hike on the quiet side of Zion. That evening we all went to dinner at Bit and Spur in Springdale, a bit pricey but really good food with several vegetarian entrees. The Polenta Stack was especially good.
I forgot to mention that there is construction along Hwy 9 on the west side of Springdale with just one lane for at least a mile. If you are coming or going from Zion be prepared for possible long delays. We probably waited 10-15 minutes each time we drove that way, and by the looks of things it won’t be finished anytime soon.
Stay tuned for one last Zion post, then a big change in scenery.
Beautiful post, makes me miss Utah already! Love the weird rock formations among all the pretty red slick rock.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Jodee, beautiful post.
DeleteAwesome hike!! I was hoping you didn't have to climb back up to return. We do need to return to Zion!! But it isn't working into the route...darn!! Beautiful photos!!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing missing was Jim :(
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to trust your shoes when you are hiking up or down something that is practically vertical! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about it petroglyphs are just old graffiti... :-)
ReplyDeleteI love looking at hoodoos. What a wonderful hike. I would have hated going down the rock. It reminds me of Enchanted Rock in Hill Country. I my legs were shaking when I went down that one. Paul told me...You have hiking boots on, you will be fine. It wasn't the hiking boots I was worried about. It was my eyes seeing the height we were at. Good grief.
ReplyDeleteI love the fall colors. How stunning against the beautiful rock.
I do have a hard time trusting my shoes when the descent is so steep, but the rewards for doing so on this hike are evident. Great photos.
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