Marc's Public Blog - Hiking / Backpacking

TThe east side is accessed through Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, where you can also stay:

nice property

climbing wall

Tturns out using their shuttles ended up being required as the road to the trailhead was very muddy and not passable without something like a rubicon (regular 4WD and anything without a locking differential would not do it)

jeeps they use to drop people off at the trailhead

Because it was not possible to drive to the trailhead and that it was late in the day (just enough to finish by sunset), I changed the plans to stay at the ranch overnight to go the next morning:

someoen was over optimistic in driving there

this was the way to go, I did mention it was muddy on the trail

but even the jeep dropoff was not able to go to the end

finally at the trail, which was reasonably dry

lovely leaf colors

chipmunks waiting for our food :)

they were hungry, as usual :)

fearless :)

great view on the Zion valley

Angel's landing, just across, that was for the next day

there was a trail from observation point to the park, but it was closed

After some nice views, it was time to go back:

is it thanksgiving yet? :)

the car trail back was still muddy, had to walk it back

had to wait for the jeep pickup

Then it was time to head over to the main park entrance:

I had already done the quick hike by the tunnel, and it was fun to do again:

the few windows in the tunnel

It was a bit late in the day, just enogh time to do the river walk again:

obviously the narrows were kind of wet :)

don't miss the last shuttle, it's a long walk

Still a bit of time to do the lower emerald pool

One new thing for Zion is that you could avoid the shuttles and parking by using Ebikes

The next morning, back for Angel's landing:

it was somewhat steep at the end

After the hike, it was late enough in the day that it made sense to head back to Las Vegas for my flight home