Zions 2015, 2016, 2017

Zions National Park is 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City.  This makes it a great easy getaway to some warmer temperatures when we’re stir crazy from Winter in Utah, and spring still hasn’t stopped being winter. 

2015

In 2015 we took our first visit.  The campground we planned on staying at, South Campground, was first come, first serve. So we set out in the morning to arrive in mid morning/afternoon. We managed to snag a good spot, hunkered down for the night, in preparation for the next day of hiking. 

Angels Landing – I don’t remember exactly how long it took to hike to the top, but we did it. We took our time, rested plenty, and laid low with our headphones in and meditation high. There were plenty of beautiful spots all along the way. I can only imagine how different a season could change the look and feel of the canyon.  

Emerald Pools was another hike we partook in. It was beautiful seeing how water settles and moves through the canyons.

Our evening dinner was provided by Zions Canyon Brewing Company, just a quick walk from the campgrounds. We now visit every year since, enjoying their brews and comforting food after a hard day’s hiking. 

2016

This year was more of a relaxation vacation and less hiking. But we still did our fair share.  We opted to do a reservation at Watchman Campground, arriving later in the day than our previous year. There is no place better to have a nice campfire, have a beer, and relax to the stars emerging, the canyon walls echoing laughter and the temperature drops.

Hidden Valley Trail –  Shuttled to the canyon trail, we quickly escaped the crowds and sprung up the mountain, carving our own trail between the canyon walls.

The next afternoon we spent our time exploring some backcountry of Zions. Following a small ledge, Ronny led the way to what we like to call our secret canyon. Its so secret we haven’t been able to find it since. 

2017

We spent a lot of this trip traveling around the canyons by car, exploring small areas to get different images.  We did a non-marked hike up a wash, which opened up at the top to reveal a new hidden canyon, with the perfect spot to sit atop a mound and see into both canyons below.