Observation Point Hike - (Zion National Park)

This would be our last full day in Zion National Park, and I had one more hike I wanted to do.

The hike up to Observation Point from the Zion Canyon floor is four miles and goes up 2,150 feet and then back down the same way for an eight mile roundtrip.  We were still coming off our illness, and I knew we weren't quite up for that 2,150 elevation gain, so I cheated.  :)

I booked a shuttle from Zion Adventure Company to the East Mesa Trailhead.  The East Mesa Trailhead is accessed from outside the eastern part of the park, and is an alternative way to get to Observation Point.  It's still a three mile hike, but it's almost completely flat.

So, today we were doing a seven mile hike.  That was three easy miles across the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point, and then four miles down to the canyon floor where we would pick up the park shuttle.

Zion Adventure Company does shuttles to various trailheads at 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.  I knew 6:30 wasn't happening, so we arrived for our 9:30 time and joined a couple of guys doing backcountry hikes.

We expected to arrive at the trailhead by 10:30, but due to delays in travel, it was right at 11:00 a.m. when we hit the trail.  We knocked out the first couple of miles quickly - a straight, flat trail through the woods across a plateau was welcomed after some of what we had been doing.  :)

 

 

It was another half mile to the junction of the Observation Point Trail.

 

 

The last half mile was pretty easy as well.  We arrived at Observation Point pretty fresh for the fantastic view.

 

 

We looked down on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the Virgin River, and the monolith known as Angel's Landing.

 

 

I wandered around and took some photos of other views.

 

 

Our descent into the canyon would include these switchbacks carved into the side of the mountain.

 

 

We had some lunch and enjoyed the views with several other appreciative hikers.

 

 

Before we started down, Linda did a short video.

 

 

We started down the very steep trail.

 

 

Most of the trail is actually old concrete, and Linda found it very hard on her knees, ankles, and, especially, her toes.  Her toes were hurting her almost immediately, and we had a long, long way to go.

Observation Point (top center of the photo below) was starting to get farther away.

 

 

Linda pushed through the switchbacks at the top.

 

 

Though Linda wasn't enjoying the hike down, I took plenty of pictures of the amazing changes in colors.

 

 

 

This couple paused at the 2-mile sign.

 

 

We were half way down and approaching Echo Canyon.  The rock walls were a bright red-peachy mix.

 

 

 

The trail flattened a little bit, much to Linda's relief, as we went through Echo Canyon.

 

 

 

The trail crossed over a slot canyon that looked intriguing.

 

 

But we left it to others to explore.

 

 

We continued through this canopied area, .....

 

 

and then came out of Echo Canyon ....

 

 

and enjoyed views of the Zion Canyon floor.

 

 

 

We then prepared for the final run of switchbacks.

 

 

 

By then, Linda just wanted it to be over and was nearly in tears from the pain in her toes and her bruised ankle.  She felt like this downhill hike was steeper than our Grand Canyon hike, and the concrete exacerbated the pressure on her toes.

I felt bad that our last hike in Zion was one she would remember for negative reasons.  Once she got to the bottom, where the ground was level, she was fine.  I enjoyed the hike and wish she had enjoyed it, too.  We're going to get her some open-toed hiking sandals for those steep downhills in the future.  :)

Our hike only took four hours, and we were finished at 3:00.  That was a good thing as we had plans for dinner and needed to .... freshen up.

Certainly, the hike up to Observation Point is strenuous, but it can be reached easily via the East Mesa Trail.  It's more of a long walk than a hike when taking that route.  Then you can just walk back out or do the downhill into the canyon like we did.

We waited for the park shuttle at the Weeping Rock stop and took it to the Visitors Center.  From there we picked up the free Springdale shuttle and got dropped off at Zion Adventure Company where we picked up the Jeep and headed home.

At home, we got cleaned up and got ready for our 6:30 dinner back in Springdale with Craig & Nancy.  We had never met, but they contacted us when they arrived in Zion, and we told them tonight was our last night in the area.  We decided to meet at Oscar's Cafe.

Craig & Nancy are from southern California, but started full-timing three years ago .... right after getting married.  :)  We hit it off and had a great time and really good food.

I got a photo ....

 

  

before we departed with our usual hugs and handshakes.  Great meeting you two!  :)

Back at Zion River RV Resort, we dropped by Eileen & Tony's site.  They are friends we have met on the road and have spent a little time with a couple times.  They just arrived and we wanted to stop and say "Hi".  We made arrangements to have breakfast in the morning before we head out.

Wow, what a great time we've had in Zion.  It certainly ranks up there with one of our favorite places.  The beauty, the hiking opportunities, and the diversity of the hiking are amazing.  But now it's time to move on.

Next stop:  Bryce Canyon National Park.  See you from there!  :)

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Comments

[Janna]

I know you have probably all ready been told these two things but members of our Grand Canyon hiking group lost toenails when doing the downhill portion. A guys in a hiking shoe shop told us all--cut your toenails really, really short. The other thing he told us is harder to explain--when you lace your shoes put the shoe strings around the hooks the opposite way you would normally coming from the bottom of the hook--does that make sense?? You are then exerting more back pressure on your lower leg and ankle. It has helped me tremendously going downhill and when we hiked in Zion last April, none of us lost toenails.

[John and Pam Wright]

That's interesting that you chose to do the East Mesa Trail. That was our plan, also! Except we were going to hike back out the same way. However, there was still a lot of snow there in March and the road beyond the Ponderosa Ranch was deep mud with a frozen layer underneath, almost got the Jeep stuck. We had to turn around. Of course, the beginning of the trail in the park had ice on it. But by the end of March the trail was clear and we were able to hike from the main canyon. What a beautiful surprise the slot was. Glad you got to do this on your last day. So sorry Linda had some trouble. Makes for a very long return. Take care you two. Enjoy Bryce!!

[Michael Hollinger]

I'm so sorry that the descent was hurting your legs. I remember that trail almost with tears - and I thank you for brightening my morning with that :) - but I totally understand when the body makes it hard.

Oh well - I hope you enjoy Bryce Canyon. If you don't mind yet more advice (I feel like such a voyuer recently!), I hope you get the chance to do one of the "Star Talks" at Bryce. The formations are wonderful (and Route 12 - Red Rock Canyon as you drive there) are arrestingly beautiful - but I think that the rangers there are aware of "Canyon fatigue." When you are surrounded by technicolor canyons, it eventually overloads the senses.

Anyways, as I rambled, the rangers are aware of this, I think, and so they've also leveraged the dark skies. They give talks and show the stars - even if you're not all that into astronomy, they make it interesting. I was blessed in that I was there during the eclipse, and they had a "star party" the night before, where like 20 guys or so brought their telescopes. I doubt they'll have those, but the rangers will be! Especially if you can find Ranger Shawn Duffy - you'll learn a lot.

Thank you once more for bringing a smile and a joy to my heart with your pictures.

[Carole]

On steep descents we were advised by our chiropodist to wear slightly padded or gel toe covers as worn by ballerina when they go 'en pointe'. It does help.