Spring break - Zion Canyon

Thursday, April 21, 2011
For our first day in St. George we decided to go to Zion Canyon National Park. It just happened to be National Parks week so admission was free to all national parks. We were curious to see the differences at Zion Canyon compared to when we were there about a year and a half ago in October 2009. (On a side note - We started out the day with me giving DH a haircut! That was one thing that we never got around to doing before we left town and he really need one! So I decided to bring the hair clippers with me and we had a few extra minutes in the morning while waiting for everyone to get ready.)

We got to the park just before lunchtime so we ate some sandwiches and chips before heading off for the shuttle bus that takes you through the park. MJ really enjoyed riding in the shuttle because she could be held and look around - not being strapped in. The weather was pretty nice - most of the kids were complaining that I didn't let them wear shorts that day. We just did a couple of the easier hikes and just enjoyed ourselves. The river was super high and fast flowing compared to what it was like in October. There was a lot more water everywhere and quite a few waterfalls that hadn't been there in the fall either. The hike through the Narrows was closed because of the high river. It was also pretty muddy in several places and we all ended up coming back with muddy shoes - a nice red, clay looking mud. MJ enjoyed being in the backpack carrier for the most part and ended up falling asleep partway through one of the hikes. It was definitely a new experience and a different view for her. She especially loved playing with her dad's hair and ears. Kay had to be carried off and on but for the most part did a good job hiking for a 3-year old.

As we were leaving the park we took a drive over to the east entrance to go through the tunnel and to see the Checkerboard Mesa. We then stopped at an Arby's to pick up dinner and eat it back at our hotel rooms. Then we took the kids for a quick swim because they were all dying to go swimming... (See previous post on the St. George hotel)

Ready to hit the trail!
This waterfall was not there in October.
Starting out on our first hike of the day (Riverside Walk)
DH carrying both of the little ones.
The start of The Narrows hike - which was closed this time around.
The Narrows in Oct 2009 - If you look closely at these two pictures, you will see the same two trees on the left-hand side for comparison.
Don't let the rock fall!
All tuckered out!
The Virgin River - very dirty looking and much more water volume than in October!Virgin River - Oct 2009
Our little rock climber
Weeping Rock actually had a waterfall this time instead of just water dripping down the rock.
The Lower Emerald Pool looked more brown than emerald...
Finishing up the Lower Emerald Pool hike.My parents
On the park shuttle bus
At the Court of the Patriarchs
Checkerboard Mesa - near the East entrance to the park
I took this last picture (and the first one in the blog post) from the car while we were leaving the park around sunset.