Zion National Park

Wednesday morning we set our alarm and headed out bright and early to make our 8:00 shuttle appointment at Zion National Park.  We didn't realize it at the time, but our GPS had us entering the park on the far end from the visitors center (and shuttle stop).  Zion Canyon and a scenic portion of Highway 9 intersect at a T near the visitors center.  The shuttle runs into the Canyon itself where personal vehicles are not allowed.  

Several shuttle stops were closed during our visit due to COVID.  

Our initial thoughts for the day was to either hike The Narrows or venture towards Angels Landing.  The Narrows is a water hike, which, after a bit of research, Wifey voted against.  We hadn't brought water friendly shoes and didn't really have the time/advance planning/desire to rent a couple pair.  

Accessing the shuttle was easy-peasy.  We were NOT asked for our ID (meaning we could have totally come the day before using our passes in Wifey's dad's name) and we were soon heading up the canyon to the Grotto Trailhead.  

The path to Angels Landing is 2.5 miles each way, with the last .5 mile being a rather famous "chain" section.   The decision on that last half mile was pending.

  

The 2 miles in consisted of a stretch of long exposed switchbacks, a pleasant walk through a mini-canoyn, and then more tiny switchbacks called Walters Wiggles.  Walters Wiggles was built by the CCC during the 1930s.  

Walters Wiggles!

Just past the top of the Wiggles, the decision on whether to tackle the last 1/2 mile was made for us:

We took the opportunity to break at Scout Lookout, avoiding the friendly chipmunks, lawbros, and take-their-lives-in-their hands airheads.

 

From Scouts Lookout we could see another landing just a bit further up the West Rim Trail so we hiked a bit further and enjoyed a quick lunch and some photos of the canyon.  

We made our way back down the mountain successfully.  Remember what time we started up?  Around 9 am by the time we caught the shuttle etc.  So the hike up, while exposed and not shaded was pleasant.  It was tough hiking and a significant elevation change, but the weather was irrelevant.  Moving back down, this was not the case.  The sun was brutal.  We kept thinking how un-fun it would be to be one of the hikers just beginning their assent a bit after noon.  

In retrospect, skipping our 11:00 am shuttle passes for 8:00 am passes the next day was a huge blessing.  In mid-early September, this is a early morning hike unless you enjoy baking.  

Well after it was too late to turn around on the trail, Hubby mentioned to Wifey that he would have preferred to continue further along the West Rim Trail instead of turning around when we did.  He waited on purpose.  Knowing he was up for additional adventure, wifey consulted the trail maps and decided on a new destination.  We'd already conquered one of the "difficult" hikes in Zion, so why not also knock out a "moderate" and an "easy". We rehydrated, and set out on the Middle Emerald Pools trail (moderate) which would end at the Emerald Pools (and waterfall) and then we could take the Lower Emerald Pool trail (easy) back out. 

As we reached the pools we began looking for the trail change.  

We found an out of date sign for the Lower Emerald Pools trail.  The trail was no longer present.  We had some serious debate at this point since we'd reached the end of Wifey's hiking tolerance and she did NOT want to take the Upper Emerald Pool trail.  We eventually decided that want to or not, Upper Emerald Pool was our only way out and we continued uphill (later we found the fork for the new Lower Emerald Pool and took the easy way home).  

The amazing waterfall at the end of the Emerald Pool trails.  (Insert Eye Roll Here)

Video of our time in Zion.  If you're viewing on mobile, you'll need to click the link.

Kanab AirBNB

Leaving the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, we proceeded to the town of Kanab, just north of the AZ/UT state line.  Kanab is nestled in a valley of sorts and is surrounded by stunning red cliffs. 

Around 3:30, UT time we messaged our AirBNB hosts and asked if it would be possible to check-in a bit early.  They agreed and we proceeded to their home. The view from the front walkway is amazing! 

Marcia and Mark greeted us as we entered their AirBNB designed home. Wifey had emailed previously and already knew they had built this home specifically to host AirBNB guests.  The front door access is controlled via coded keypad and opens into a foyer.  From this foyer 3 doors open.  Two are to guestrooms (also keypad controlled and the third, a double door opening into Mark and Marcia's private area of the home.  As we came and went during our stay, these doors were usually open during the day and closed in the evenings.  

Also in the foyer were snacks and toiletries available for guests along with hand sanitizer and relevant business licenses. 

Each of the guest rooms has its own ensuite bathroom!  and mini-kitchen stocked with coffee!  The mini-fridge includes a function freezer compartment which we loved as it allowed us to freeze water bottles for our cooler and upcoming hikes.  

By the end our our stay, we enjoyed chatting with Mark & Marcia and even toured their portion of the home as well, taking notes of brilliant design choices we may just incorporate into our upcoming build. 

If you're visiting Southern Utah ... STAY HERE! 

Vermilion Cliffs

 After spending the day with Bert and Pumpkin we headed further north to check into our home for the next 3 nights, and AirBNB in Kanab, UT.  We detoured along the way to kill some time before our 4:00 check in, visiting the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.  We expected this to be a statue or something similar.  It was not. We followed our GPS and reached the entrance!  

We figured the monument must be on up ahead so we began our drive down a dirt road, with red cliffs to our right and more traditional desert landscape on our right.  

About 6 miles in, we reached a (closed) trailhead.  

We took selfies in both directions .. desert view:

And red cliff view:

Check out this cell-phone screenshot showing where google maps shows the monument and where we quit driving 6 miles in (the blue "you are here" dot).