Zion

How does our adventures begin? Well, we have a destination in place and then we begin with the research that eventually leads us to the plan. This trip was our first that we needed to fly into a destination, so we packed our Coleman tent and the rest of our clothes into the carry on bags and began our journey.

Zion National Park location is Southern Utah. Since we were flying we came in to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas were usually could find pretty good they have good renting car rates.

After we rented our car the adventure began. J began driving from Las Vegas at 11:00 PM and 4 hours latter we arrived to the lower Antelope Canyon tour. We made the reservation of the tour online, so we just parked on their parking lot and waited until the tour opened. The Navajo name for “Hasdeztwazi” (meaning “spiral rock” arch shaped), and years ago, the formation of the pronghorn antelope freely wandering in and out of the canyon has created its English name. This incredible gorge is eroded by nature’s ten thousand years, sanding the local sandstone into different shapes, textures, and structures, become what we see today.

Solar clouds continue to change, scatter light from different angles and colors into the stone walls of antelope canyon, through the reflection of a canyon rock, formed a dazzling color, light and shade. We began our tour going down a little stairs and then the tour guide began to explain about the formation of the rocks and how important that is not to touch the rocks due to their smoothies and erosion of the rocks. The formation of this canyon was due the Navajo Sandstone, primarily due flash flooding.

After the tour we began our jorney to Zion National park. The first trail we made was The Narrows. Everithing in the park takes life from the Virgin River’s scarce desert waters. The landscape changes constantly and the canyons deepen to create forested highlands and towland deserts. The animals take shelter inside the canyon and it becomes their sanctuary.

The first hiked that we did was The Narrows. Hiking in The Narrows upstream as far as Big Spring does not require a permit. Doing the hike this way allows you to see some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon. You can hike in the river for an hour and have a great experience.

The second day we woke up and began the journey for Angel’s Landing west rim trail. For this trail we had to take the bus that took us at the beginning of the trail. For this trail is necessary to take the Zion Canyon shuttle route and shuttle stop. During spring though fall, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open to shuttle buses only, so is necessary to park your car and ride the shuttle.

This trail is terrifying, but don’t worry they have chains to help you on your trail. This trail is 2.5 miles long with an approximate 1,500 feet elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemitie Decimal System. It begins at the Grotto drop off point on the park’s shuttle system, it roughly follows the path of the  Virgin River for some time along the West Rim Trail, slowly gaining elevation in sandy terrain.

Most of the trail is uphill on the way up to Angels Landing. As the trail gets steeper and leaves behind the river, it becomes paved. After a series of steeps or wooden logs, the trail goes through the area between Angels Landing and the Zion Canyon that is a gradual ascent.

This trail is definitely not for everyone, and trust me I was terrified when I began the hike, but at the end it was so rewarding and I had so much fun on the trail that the views and the reward of having done this trail was everything. That day it rained, so remember to pack ponchos and good hiking shoes and socks that would help you during your hike. Remember to always pack more water that what you would use too. It has happened to me that I get dehydrated during the hikes, so I have to make sure to drink plenty of water. Definitely is one of the hikes that I certainly would remember for ever!

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