Day 13: Zion National Park

Fun Fact #1: In 1909, President William Howard Taft named the area a National monument under the name of Mukuntuweap National Monument. In 1918, the National Park Service changed the name to Zion as the original name was locally unpopular. Congress established the monument as a National Park on November 19, 1919. The Kolob section was proclaimed a separate Zion National Monument in 1937, but was incorporated into the park in 1956.
Fun Fact #2: It was 106 degrees there today. But it was a dry heat.
Fun Fact #3: We bought a National Parks pass for $80 the day we went to the Badlands. The entrance fees alone for the parks we have visited (or will visit) total $160. That's $80 we will have saved with that purchase. Woo hoo!

I'll give you a preview, but you should click HERE to see the photos from Zion Canyon and the Kolob section of the park.This post will probably be the least humorous to date, but may contain some of the best photos of the entire trip.

Zion National Park is an awe-inspiring place and the photos do not do it justice. Unlike Golden Spike or the Great Salt Lake, Zion is well worth the drive through the Utah desert in 106 degree heat. We are going back tomorrow for a few more hours before heading to Bryce Canyon National Park. It was that darn cool. There were many, "Oh my stars and stripes," moments. We had intended to hike the Hidden Canyon trail that my friend Willard suggested based on his visit in 2007. You can see Willard's video of the treacherous trail of death by clicking HERE. Upon viewing, you'll see why we wanted to do this hike. It's a very narrow trail ascending 800+ feet in elevation with drop offs on one side. Basically, you can fall and die pretty easily if you aren't paying close attention. The 106 degree temperature made hiking undesirable, so we went about 1/3 of the way up before turning back. We plan to come back in the off season when it's both cooler and less crowded.

Enough babble about the place, just click HERE to see the photos. Enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

Next stop: Day 14 at Zion (again) and Bryce Canyon National Park.