On Sept 17, eighteen of us drove from different parts of the valley to Watchman Campground in Zion NP, starting our six days and five nights of our car camping trip. They were: Vicki, Terry, Wendy, Roberta, Sonny, Ken, Heather, Robert, Lin, Ron, Anna, Michael, Carol, Nicole, Rodney, Jackie, Jane, and Mark.

Group picture at Narrows Trailhead. [photo by Lin]

Group picture at Observation Point. [photo by Lin]

Since people were driving from different parts of the valley, only Robert, Heather, and Lin caravanned from Carefree Hwy & I-17 at McDonalds. From Phoenix to Zion NP is about 360 miles and 6 hours drive. We stopped in Flagstaff for a quick break and then continued to Watchman campground in Zion NP. Our Group campsite was E007.

A beautiful day on HWY 89. [photo by Lin]

Such an awesome view at Marble Canyon. [photo by Lin]

On HWY UT-9. [photo by Lin]

Yes, we almost arrive at Zion NP. [photo by Lin]

Time to relax after set up the tent. [photo by Lin]

Yes, this is Heather’s tent, and she is happy with her new house. [photo by Lin]

Sonny, Ken are also found their comfy house at the campsite. [photo by Lin]

Look who are here to check out our new house at the campground. [photo by Lin]

More deer at the campground. [photo by Lin]

The campsite was very roomy for us. [photo by Lin]

Wait at the Ranger Station desk for our time to entry to hike. Heather, Wendy, Robert Anna, Lin. [Lin]

Angel’s Landing is a strenuous hike that now requires a permit. According to nps.gov, its name comes from a minister named Frederick Vining Fisher who claimed that “only an angel could land here.” Lin and other members of our camping group had previously tried to get a permit with no success. Lin gave it one last shot the morning we headed out for Zion. After our setup at camp, she opened her email and read the word, “Congratulations….”, and she became very excited! She had been granted a permit to include five hikers for the next morning. We were already planning on hiking to Scout’s Lookout via the West Rim Trail (this is the viewpoint located at the base of Angel’s Landing), so this worked out perfectly.

Early morning at Scout’s Lookout Trailhead. [photo by Lin]

A great hike starts here. [photo by Lin]

Robert and Vicki are on this Zag-Zig section of the trail. [photo by Lin]

Footprints. [photo by Vicki]

Our permit time was between 9AM-12PM. Our entire hiking group left Watchman Campground at 8 AM that Sunday morning to catch the shuttle and get off at “The Grotto”. The temps at that time of the day were in the low 60s with highs expected that day in the mid-80s. The earlier we set out, the better.

We all hiked to Scout’s Lookout, and then the five of us gathered at the saddle to prepare ourselves for the next half mile to the top of Angel’s Landing. After refueling, taking photos, and fighting off the chipmunks, we headed our way over to meet the park ranger who was ready to check our permit.

If you have any fear of heights, this section is not for you. There are steep drop-offs on either side of you as you hike (and scramble) up the narrow ridge. The steps are seemingly carved and high, and there are chains to provide support. It is wise to focus on your feet and hands, and not spend a lot of time looking around from side to side, as it would be easy to shift off balance. One of the biggest challenges was when other people were coming down because space is very limited. This section is not only physically challenging but mentally challenging as well.

Angel’s Landing is in the distance. [photo by Lin]

From Angel’s Landing top to view the Saddle. [photo by Lin]

The elevation at the summit is 5790 feet. The 360-degree views are breathtaking. After congratulating ourselves, taking more photos, and refueling again (with more chipmunks to greet us) we headed back down. Going down oftentimes seemed more difficult than going up. Our legs became heavy, and there is a great deal of gravity pushing you down.

It is important to focus on every single step. Twenty-four hours prior to completing this hike, we were completely unaware that we would be given this opportunity. I am grateful to Lin for working to get our permit, and for giving it one last try!

People who are on the top of trail. [photo by Ron]

Fearless Four are ready to go up to Angel’s Landing. [photo by Ron]

Yes, the is the road to Angel’s Landing. [photo by Ron]

At the top, very satisfied and Happy Four - Robert, Heather, Lin and Anna. [photo by Lin]

Yes, come down from here, and please hold on to your chain. [photo by Lin]

Good Job everyone (Heather, Robert, Lin, Anna). [photo by Lin]

I am always hungry after a great hike, especially on camping trips. AZTHC potluck is always part of highlight for any camping trip. Are you ready? Here are our yummy dishes, sweet desserts, refreshing drinks, and healthy salads. Sorry, I was too hungry and forgot to take pictures of many of the dishes, specially Jane and Mark’s meatball? It was best ever.

Sonny is carefully cooking his sausage. [photo by Lin]

Michael, Terry, Jackie are patiently waiting for the food. [photo by Lin]

The ladies are busy cooking food. [photo by Lin]

Michael’s chocolate cookies, Anna’s quiche dish, Heather’s fruit salad. [photo by Lin]

Wine, juice or beer? [photo by Lin]

18 members of the Zion Car Camp group exited the shuttle at the Grotto stop for the first hike of the trip.

Group picture at Kayenta West Trailhead. [photo by Victoria]

Robert, Ken, Wendy, Michael, Carol, Anna, Sonny, Terry, Heather, Robbi, Nicole, Jane, Mark, Jacki, Rod, and Lin.

We had 5 permits for Angel’s Landing and the rest were headed to Scout Lookout.

Angel’s Landing Group: Heather, Wendy, Robert, Anna, and Lin. [photo by Victoria]

The hike began with a gentle stroll along the river for about ½ mile along a well maintained and often paved trail.

River running beside the trail. [photo by Rod]

Paved Trail, Ken and Ron cross the bridge. [photos by Victoria]

Jane, Wendy, and Mark walking along the paved trail with a special guest. [photo by Rod]

The Angel’s Landing group had to stop and register with the ranger.

The rest of the group quickly stretched out along the trail when we hit the first set of switchbacks.

Climbing the first set of Switchbacks. [photo by Rod]

Lin, Anna, Wendy, and Robert starting up the first set of switchbacks. [photos by Rod]

View from the switchbacks. [photo by Rod]

We walked through a narrow pass quiet zone due to the Mexican Spotted Owl population.

View of the narrow pass from below. [photo by Rod]

We hit another steep set of switchbacks climbing almost 800 feet in one mile.

Pausing to catch our breath. [photo by Wendy]

We emerged at Scout Lookout after climbing for 2¼ miles, where the group took a break to admire the views.

The group split with Wendy, Lin, Heather, Anna, and Robert heading south for Angel’s landing.

A small group journeyed north up the West Rim trail another 1½ miles before turning around.

The rest of the group followed about 10 minutes later and hiked another ¾ mile to another viewpoint.

Departing Scout Lookout. [photo by Rod]

Terry working his way up to the next viewpoint. [photos by Vicki]

The final view point had a spectacular 270 view of the entire canyon.

The pause that refreshes. [photo by Rod]

We began the journey down after a snack break.

Lots more smiling on the way down. [photos by Rod]

Working our way down the first set of switchbacks. [photo by Rod]

Jacki and Wendy enjoying a moment of victory. [photo by Rod]

Monday, September 19th. Sixteen of us took the park shuttle to the trailhead parking lot. The hike started with a one mile warm up walk on a paved sidewalk, which ended with the first river crossing. The bus driver had told us earlier that the Virgin River was running at 45 cfs, with the water clarity slightly murky. Most of us had rented special water boots in Springdale, which worked surprisingly well. Out of hundreds of people in the canyon, I saw only a two people fall in. I have done several water hikes in before, but this was the longest in the water.

The water temperature was cool but not freezing, and we walked in deep shade until about noon. About half the hike was in the water, with the percentage increasing farther upstream. The current was reasonably strong, making the stout wooden hiking sticks very helpful. Most of the group turned back at the area called wall street. A few went farther into the boulders area. As expected, the canyon was crowded, only slightly decreasing with distance from the trailhead. At any given time, at least 20 people were in sight, often double that.

Participants included: Lin, Anna, Carol, Heather, Jacki, Ken, Michael, Nicole, Jane, Mike, Rodney, Sonny, Roberta, Wendy, Robert, and Ron.

Group picture at the trailhead. [photo by Lin]

back: Michael, Jackie, Anna, Nicole, Carol, Robert, Sonny, Roberta, Ken, Wendy, Ron front:  Lin, Heather, Rodney

Group picture at Entrance of Narrows. [photo by Lin]

front:  Lin, Rodney, Heather, Carol, Robert. back: Ron, Ken, Sonny, Nicole, Michael, Jackie, Wendy, Roberta, Anna.

Watch your footing, Sonny. [photo by Lin]

The water is not so bad today. [photo by Lin]

Canyon, Water and hikers. [photo by Lin]

Roberta, Nicole, Wendy, Jackie, Sonny, Carol, Michael, Heather, Rodney, Lin. [photo by Lin]

Carol is having too much fun. [photo by Lin]

Light, Canyon, Water, Tree. A perfect day at Narrows. [photo by Lin]

Just beautiful scenery. [photo by Lin]

Tuesday, September 20th: this day’s hike started earlier than usual, leaving the campground before sunrise. We drove about twenty miles to the Zion Ponderosa guest ranch. From here, most of us took a shuttle to the trailhead.

Map of Zion Ponderosa Ranch. [photo by Vicki]

Waiting for our shuttle. [photo by Vicki]

Jeep ride? [photo by Vicki]

Group picture at the trailhead. [photo by Lin]

back: Heather, Nicole, Rodney, Terry, Jackie, Michael, Anna, Sonny, Jane, Ron, Carol, Ken, Mark. front:  Robert, Vicki.

The 3.5-mile trail headed mostly west, gently rising through scattered pine forest. As we neared the Virgin River canyon, the trail began to descend. At the 3-mile point, the trail reached a junction. The right-hand trail went to the observation overlook. The left-hand trail used to go down into the canyon via the Hidden Canyon trail, now closed due to a landslide in August 2019. A few of us took this branch and added an extra mile.

The overlook offered a spectacular view of the canyon, including an interesting view of Angel’s Landing.

Participants included: Lin, Anna, Carol, Heather, Jacki, Ken, Mike, Nicole, Jane, Mike, Rodney, Sonny, Wendy, Robert, Ron, Roberta, Vicki, and Terry.

Beautiful view from Observation point. [photo by Vicki]

Angel’s Landing on the right side. [photo by Vicki]

Geological Survey marker. [photo by Vicki]

Vicki stands at Observation Point. [photo by Vicki]

A closer look up at Angel’s Landing. [photo by Lin]

On the last day of our trip, Ron and Anna rode on the nearly empty shuttle to the trailhead early in the morning. Under dark and ominous clouds, we set out for the Emerald pools on a paved trail that runs through a lush forest of box elder, juniper, big tooth maple and Gamble oak. Upon arriving at the Lower Pool, we saw a large alcove with a fine veil of water dripping over its edge (barely visible in the photo below) into an area surrounded by trees and shrubs.

Lower Emerald Pool. [photo by Anna]

We continued on an uneven and rocky trail and climbed up on a moderately strenuous grade to the Upper Pool. The pool itself is surrounded on three sides by sheer cliffs and closed in on the other side by a boulder foothill. Maple trees shade the area and it’s very peaceful.

Upper Emerald Pool. [photo by Anna]

We headed back down and continued on the loop trail to the Middle Pool, which is in an open area surrounded by slickrock. A pool of water has collected as the water trickles from cliffs above.

Middle Emerald Pool. [photo by Ron]

We finished the 4.5 mile hike before lunch and decided to ride the shuttle and stop along the way for more photo ops and short walks along the river.

View of the Court of the Patriarchs. [photo by Anna]

We have been keeping our eyes on the weather at Zion NP since we left Phoenix; the forecast has been changing a bit, but it was very consistent, forecasting a big storm moving in on Sept 21. The forecast for rain was 74%, then 64%. Forecast for the timing of the rain changed from 3 AM, to 6 AM.

Over the past few days, we had three great and tough hikes at Zion NP. Since most of the us were tired, we really weren’t looking forward to camping in the rain. Therefore, Wendy and Robert left on Sept 20; Sonny and Ken got up very early morning on Sept 21 and packed and left too.

Today’s scheduled hike was Emerald Pools, since the forecast said it would rain at 6 AM. It would be challenging to hike this trail in the rain. So, Vicki, Terry, Michael, Carol, Nicole, Rodney, Jackie, Heather, Robert, Lin decided they also would leave one day early to go back home. However, Ron and Anna decided they would take a chance and stay at campground for another day.

After a quickly packing in the dark, most of us left the campground before sunrise. The sky was moody, but it was beautiful clouds when we drove through the Zion Mount Camel Tunnel on UT9. What a great way to say Good-Bye to this first National Park in Utah.

Robert, Heather and I stopped at Kanab for a yummy breakfast and coffee, and it did start rain after Kanab.

The drive from Kanab to Flagstaff is beautiful, the clouds were so moody, yet they were so beautiful. How powerful and playful the mother natural can display its character. We saw Bison, went through heavy storm rain, colorful fall colors. It was a long drive home, but it was an enjoyable drive.

Thanks for everyone who participated in this trip. The weather was a bit warm, but we did three of the best trails in Zion NP. I hope you enjoyed this trip as much as I did. Zion NP is one of my favorite parks in UT. There are many thanks I like to say:

Thanks to Rodney who helped me to lead the Scott Lookout hike.

Participants included: Lin, Anna, Carol, Heather, Jacki, Ken, Mike, Nicole, Jane, Mike, Rodney, Sonny, Wendy, Robert, Ron, Roberta, Vicki, and Terry.

Thanks to Rodney who helped me to lead the Scott Lookout hike.

Participants included: Lin, Anna, Carol, Heather, Jacki, Ken, Mike, Nicole, Jane, Mike, Rodney, Sonny, Wendy, Robert, Ron, Roberta, Vicki, and Terry.

Thanks to Rodney who helped me to lead the Scott Lookout hike.

Thanks to Rodney and Jackie for cooking the pepper & vegetables steak dinner for us on Tuesday night.

Thanks to Michael and Rodney for bringing the firewood and making the campfire for us.

Thanks to the safe drivers for taking us from home to campground and trailhead and out for dinner at Springdale.

Thanks to everyone who brought all the yummy food, dessert, salad, wine, beer, juice, and tea to share.

Thanks to Heather, Rodney, Robert, and Anna, for helping me write the trip report for this fun trip.

Take care and hope to see you soon on our next adventure.