Well, here I am at Zion National Park again. After the past few months I wasn't sure I'd ever be here again.
04/24/08 Hiking Watchman Trail:
I chose the Watchman Trail for today because it's about the easiest of the hikes (not walks); about 3 miles roundtrip with less than 400 feet gained. I didn't do too badly... not great but not bad either.
This trail goes up one side of a canyon, loops around the end of the canyon and then follows the other side to the top of a butte. Most of the climbing is on the first section, most of which is a steady incline. The section to the butte is pretty flat.
Lots of red Indian Paintbrush flowers out plus some big yellow ones and some more bright red ones that looked like a bell. Great views where the trail crosses from one side of the canyon to the other and at the top of the butte. You have to descend a few feet and go another 100-150 yards or so to the edge of the butte for the best views of the valley and the huge walls on the far side.
When I got back to the van I was pretty tired. I think my best bet is to hike this trail again tomorrow before tackling something more strenuous. Maybe build up a little more stength.
04/25/08 Hiking Hidden Canyon Trail:
Last night required two blankets...temperature in the low 50's or upper 40's.
Decided to do the Hidden Canyon Trail today instead of the Watchman Trail as planned. Why? I dunno, I guess I wanted a bit more of a challenge.
The Weeping Rock Trail goes off to the left right away while Hidden Canyon and Observation Point Trails continue up paved switchbacks. 1/2 mile or so Hidden Canyon Trail branches off to the right while Observation Point Trail continues upwards. Hidden Canyon Trail goes up another 100 feet or so to a lookout area with great views. This is about 850 feet elevation gain in 3/4 miles... pretty good for me.
I stopped a few times for 10-15 seconds or so and a few more times to let people pass me on the way up. Going up the final 100 feet or so I ran into trouble, though. I felt dizziness coming on and stopped a few more times to let it pass. These stops were a minute or more.
Hidden Canyon is still 1/4 mile or so from the lookout. I chose not to do it. When I got to the lookout I was wobbling & stumbling and the next section is no place for that. Narrow trail with chains to hang on to and shear drop offs.
So I rested and then started back down. I felt better when I got to the bottom again. I wanted more miles & time so I did the Pa'rus Trail on the way back. This is a flat, paved trail, 1.5 miles long and wheelchair accessable. In fact there were several wheel chairs on the trail today. Super views of monstrous walls on both sides of the canyon.
Back at the van I didn't feel nearly as tired as yesterday despite going higher and longer today. I guess that's a good thing.
Last year I bought a pair of Merrills but they turned out to be 1/2 size too small. The first trail I did with the new boots was 3 miles one way with close to 1000 foot gain per mile. No problem going up but coming down my toes kept jamming into the front of the boots... bad enough for both my big toes to turn black and blue and I just recently lost one of the toe nails. I went back and bought a second pair of Merrills and use the first pair for walking and smaller hills. Unfortunately I didn't wear the second pair today and my toes jammed up again. I'll be OK though since it was only 3/4 of a mile back down.
04/26/08 Hiking Observation Point Trail:
Pretty cool again last night.
Thought I'd see how much of the Observation Point Trail I could do today. Started up the same trail as yesterday. It's pretty steep with no let up and is rated strenuous. I got to the Hidden Canyon Trail junction in 20 minutes. Yesterday I think it took me 30 minutes.
I trudge on past it and got another 1/4 mile on Observation Point Trail and started getting lightheaded. I forced it a little farther but gave up 100 yards short of the top of the switchbacks. At the top of the switchback the trail leads through a canyon and then begins ascending again for another 1000 feet. It's then less than 1/2 mile of pretty flat hiking to Observation Point.
No problem going back down. I caught the bus and stopped off at the Court of the Patriarcks; three massive monoliths right next to each other. Caught the bus again to Canyon Junction and walked back the Pa'rus Trail again.