Hiking the Valley of Fire

There are several easy hikes ranging from less than a mile with only slight elevation changes, nothing for the experienced hiker but still filled with great interest. Mouse Tank, named for a renegade who used the area as a hideout, is a natural basin in the rock where water collects. This trail takes you past numerous petroglyphs and at the end of the trail it rewards you with a nice view through a slot canyon and two large natural tanks.

Valley of Fire State Park

Close to Las Vegas and Lake Mead sits a state park with red sandstone formations that rival Sedona AZ. Formed from shifting sand dunes during the age of the dinosaurs, the areas uplifted and faulting action, followed by extensive erosion created the landscape we enjoyed today. The colors are a stark contrast to the nearby mudstone mountains and desert and the close proximity to Vegas make this a heavenly visited place, except at this time of year.

Free Free Free

At least for a few days on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) we are enjoying the warmer weather, some nice hikes and short drives to area attraction at no cost. It means that tonight's turkey will be thick slices, I will make real mashed potatoes, gravy from a can and the pie is a Walmart special. Can't bake without power so it-is-what-it-is and we are still very happy. Blue loves the place because there are no people within a cats ear shot and he has several long walks each day.

Watchman trail in Zion

Well a little rain turned into 3 days so when we woke this morning and saw the clear blue sky, we set out on our last hike in Zion. Watchman starts just beyond the visitors center and near the campground so no driving and no busses. It was a beautiful hike and relatively easy with the exception of some muddy trails. As usual, breathtaking views with every switchback.this is our last night in Zion and we will miss this place, especially A24, the best site in the campground.

A little rain must fall

It's true, even in a desert oasis like Zion, rain is the very mechanism that sculpted the canyon and continues to bring life to the valley floor. As the sun peaks through the smell of the wet sage, mesquite and other flora intensify teasing your nose. With every layer down the canyon wall, the topography changes as does the weather, from Navajo sandstone, to Kayenta mudstone where dinosaurs once walked, through petrified forest layers and at long last, to the Virgin River which will in just a few miles, connect with the better known Colorado river at Lake Mead, the lowest point on the Colorado Plateau. As I watched, clouds dropped from the sky along the canyon wall and followed the middle layers above the broken landings and crept slowly toward the inner canyon only to disappear in a moment. Our spot on the valley floor is much warmer than the upper rim and if weather continues, we might even see a bit of snow in the higher elevations. We'll see what Mother Nature delivers in the next day.

Court of the Patriarchs

The Court of the Patriarchs is a set of sandstone cliffs in Zion National Park one stop away from the Zion Human History Museum. They are named for biblical figures Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the subject of a 1933 Ansel Adams picture. My shot, not as good but the peaks are majestic.

Thanksgiving anyone?

These wild turkeys must know that they are safe from the upcoming event. It is a good life for turkeys in Zion.

Hike to the Weeping rock wall

Among the many hiking opportunities in Zion, the Weeping Rock trail is an short but steep hike, accessible to most people. The weeping is a result of water that permeates the mountain above and eventually hits a layer of rock that is less absorbent, pushing the water out through the side of the cliff. The result is the cliff lets go of the moisture in what looks like tears falling down. This moisture facilitates an unique environment for plants and animals in this otherwise desert location. During the hot summers which can reach 110, this is a great place to visit. After hiking the trail, we took a short walk to the Virgin River to eat a picnic lunch. In all, a nice day!

The Narrows, a unique experience in Zion

The Virgin River that runs through Zion has carved a spectacular gorge in the upper part of the valley. This gorge is 16 miles long and up to 2000 feet deep and in places, only 20 feet wide. The soaring walls are impossible to show in a photo and in the narrow slot areas the only option is to walk through the rushing stream. 60% of our trek was in the water. As you enter the area there are a number of signs that warn of the dangers of walking the narrows. A rain or snow event within 30 miles of the park can mean a flash flood and given the steep walls, there is no escape during these events. Our trip was a little cold on the legs but rewarding.

Hiking to the upper emerald pool trail in Zion National Park

We love our hikes and this was a good hike with a little challenge climbing 200 feet in elevation to a series of 3 pools. The pools are quit this time of year with just a trickle of water from above each pool. The best part, the views from the Grotto trial on our descent. Where my favorite shot camp from in a previous post.