May 31, 2022. Zion National Park

Court of the Patriarchs
Three white peaks: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
Brown peak in right front is Moroni, the Mormon prophet

 We get an early start from Kaibab Lodge, the thermometer in the car showing 22 degrees. We are “marching to Zion,” thinking it is better to arrive early and get a parking spot. We are not early enough. There is a long line of cars at the entry station and when we get into the park, no parking is left. The only option is to continue to Springdale, the town just outside the park, find a parking spot and get the free shuttle bus back to the park. We find a parking place, pay the $20 fee for the day, and wait for the shuttle bus. A couple buses pass by because they are already full, so we walk the half mile to the Park.

Inside the Park, we get a shuttle bus that takes us along the scenic drive to the various observation points. Another line of people, but the wait is not so long. We decide it is safer to wear masks because of the crowds of people waiting for buses and also in the buses.

How to describe Zion National Park? It is simply amazing, almost overwhelming, in ways we have not experienced before. The massive size and height of the canyon walls, the beauty of the river running through the length of the park, the white and red color combinations of the various rock formations. The weather also contributes to the beauty, the deep blue sky and white clouds.

Our first stop is at the Court of the Patriarchs, three pointed rocks named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and a fourth in front of the other three named Moroni, for the great Mormon prophet.

The second stop is at the Zion Lodge, where we take the trail to the Lower Emerald Pool, 1.2 miles round trip. There is a waterfall at the Pool, but the water is very low so the waterfall is barely more than a trickle. But still a nice walk and a beautiful setting.

The third stop is at the end of the road, where we take the Riverwalk Trail, 2.2 miles round trip. The

Riverwalk Trail ends at the beginning of the Narrows Trail, a further 6-mile trail, one-way, that is walking through the water part of the way. Needless to say, we did not take the Narrows Trail.

It has been a long day, we have walked several miles and our feet (and knees) feel it, so we board the shuttles, return to our car, and go back through the tunnels of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, to our hotel.