Today we headed back to Zion for more sightseeing and a hike. Angels Landing is the iconic hike here but it is NOT kid friendly so we picked the next best hike to do instead. 🥾
The NPS began operating shuttles in 2000 to reduce traffic and parking problems at Zion. We didn’t have to wait too long in line but I don’t want to come back during the busy season to compare!The shuttle makes stops along the canyon but we rode it all the way to the end to see The Narrows. The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon – clever, right?This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes only twenty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in Zion. And since we came in the spring, it was closed due to fast moving water from the snowmelt. 😢After seeing as much of The Narrows as we could, it was back on the shuttle bus to our next stop. After spending most of our time on a bus we were excited to stretch our legs on a hike to Scout Lookout.Scout Lookout via the West Rim Trail is listed as a strenuous hike but we didn’t exactly share this info with the kids beforehand. 🤫They weren’t kidding about the 1,000 ft elevation gain!After a very steep climb we hiked through a canyon designated as a “Quiet Zone.” The moments without sibling bickering in this canyon were some of my favorite. 😂 4.2 miles done and finally at the top!We saw a Uinta chipmunk while we were at the lookout. This little guy almost scurried into Everett’s backpack!The drop off behind Elleny was no joke.Scouts Landing is where we stopped but if you continue to Angels Landing you’ll be on one of the scariest hikes in America.It is an additional 2.2 miles and another 1,488 feet from this point. There are zig zag trails up steep hills, sheer drops and exposed edges. Elleny added it to her bucket list the second she saw it. 😱Walter’s Wiggles, as this section is called, was much more fun going down than it was hiking up!Happy hikers 🤗Headed back through the “Quiet Zone” aka momentary bliss for parents.The views on the way back down were absolutely epic.I couldn’t decide between these photos so you get both. These views were something else!Our plan to get to the parks later in the day is working out splendidly.We even made it back in time for the last shuttle bus. Whew! 😅
Hi! I’m Ember and I love traveling and photography but not so much organizing said adventures and pictures. Chronically blogging in past tense. :)
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