Zion Canyon Day Three

[Thursday 14 September] 

Morning began overcast and cool, a perfect day for a hike. After breakfast we packed up and headed off for the shuttle. We went just one stop (The Grotto) and walked across the street and over the bridge spanning the very muddy Virgin River. And thus we began our ascent up the Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools. 

There are three pools, connected basins of water coming from the top of the canyon, one upper, one middle and one lower.  The walk was occasionally rocky and the ground uneven, a few sets of stone steps and the first portion uphill. Eventually the elevation leveled off, aside from an occasional uphill climb, and we were treated to some truly spectacular views of the canyon, even spotting the lodge down below. 

Once we reached the middle pool we decided to forgo the upper portion but Susie wanted to see the lower pool so I bravely let her go on her own while I waited. 

The return trip was mostly downhill, which was nice, but the traffic coming up had picked up since we started and there were quite a few hikers jockeying for a limited amount of space along the trail. But everyone was so nice, courteous and friendly. Hiking is indeed a great social leveler.

beginning of the trail

looking down canyon toward the lodge

looking back to where we began the trail

more views down canyon

the trail on the far right

the lodge is dead center

junction of lower and middle pool portions

middle pool, the water drop-off is straight ahead

not a lot of water today

Susie's photo of the lower pool, not much to see but dramatic nonetheless

back to the trailhead

you can see the trail sloping down on the left and you can just make out the bridge we crossed where the river disappears

Once we returned to the shuttle stop Susie and I parted company. She took the short half-mile Grotto trail back to the lodge while I opted for the bus. Once back on the room we rested, and had a bite of lunch before heading back out one more time.

Once again on the shuttle down canyon, getting off at stop 4, the short but oh so sweet walk up to the Court of the Patriarchs. We were told these three peaks were named by a Methodist minister for the three Biblical patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I wonder what the Paiutes called them?

trail head next to the shuttle stop

the view from the 150-foot climb

and back down

Back at the shuttle stop we boarded the next bus, jam-packed with hikers coming down canyon. . .  No matter, we were soon at the visitor center where we caught our breath before heading off for the Springdale shuttle into town. Our goal was simple: a couple of bottles of wine for the next legs of the trip. We strolled a bit of town, and as you can see, there isn't much here but lots of restaurants and places to stay. But that's to be expected I suppose, given the popularity of the park.

A snippet of Springdale's main street

With wines in hand we returned to the park just in time for a brief thunderstorm and shower, probably enough to make some folks up at the Narrows nervous I imagine.

We settled back home in our room for the rest of the day, cooling our heels at the lodge where we will eat our final meal this evening.

Tomorrow it's off to Bryce Canyon ending at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.