Landscape A Zion hike

A Zion hike · 07:20 PM

Zion national park in Utah is awesome. It has a couple killer trails, including the Observation Point trail, about 4+ miles one way.

It starts off easy.

An hour and a half later, it's getting steeper. That small zigzag on the right goes to Hidden Valley, which I never got to.

The objective is the top left point.

Nice to have some steps...

Approaching Echo Canyon.

Echo Canyon.

Starting to take some rest breaks at about every section. It is 5,000 ft or so elevation. People were asking if I was OK:-) I was, but a little chest congestion made me breathe hard.

Weird rocks, about 3 hours into it.

Nearing the top, looking south down the canyon.

On the last section.

Yay! Made it. Exactly 4 hours from the shuttle stop.

6,508 feet altitude.

Across the way on Angel's Landing. The last 3/4 mile has a chain handrail...

More trail shots.

You can see some people on the top section.

The split to Hidden Valley.

Going down still took some time - an hour back to Echo Canyon from the top.

This is a great place to spend a few days. There are many easy or medium trails to take if this seems too much. Bryce Canyon is not far, either.

Den · 03-09-2012, 07:30 PM

Whew! I'm exhausted! Great set.

**Bob Harris** · 03-09-2012, 08:02 PM

Kyle, these are wonderful shots, you really had to work to get them I would say. We made this hike back in the 70's when we were young, but looking at the trail again I will just sit and relax and look at your photos. We just made reservations to stay there for 2 weeks in early September, so this thread was perfect timing for us to view. Thanks Bob

SpecialK · 03-09-2012, 08:56 PM

I stayed here, the heart of downtown Springdale just outside the park.

**paulh** · 03-09-2012, 09:14 PM

Nice set of shots. I used to love doing hikes like this when I was a bit younger - I wonder if I'm still up to it...? Or like Bob says, relax with a beer and look at some nice photos

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 03-10-2012, 12:01 AM

Thanks for a wonderful hike and the pictures aren't bad either

Hiking at altitude doesn't bother me, we are used to hiking at 6000 - 7000 feet but the old knees don't like the steep inclines any more.

Thanks again for posting these images.

slowpez · 03-10-2012, 09:35 AM

Great set of shots of a wonderful hike. We weren't able to get to hidden canyon either although we did try. Too dangerous with all the camera gear. Springdale is a nice little town. When we first visited Zion (they still allowed you to drive your own car in) no one accepted credit cards and the only hamburger joint closed on Saturday nights. Things have certainly changed since then.
Thanks for sharing your photos.

SpecialK · 03-10-2012, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by slowpez

When we first visited Zion (they still allowed you to drive your own car in)...

Yeah, I was first there in 1981. Went on a motorcycle. Pulled up next to a couple on another bike at some turnout. They were from the same So Cal town as me. We went up the canyon which is now closed to traffic as you said. It's really much better now with the free shuttle.

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03-09-2012, 07:30 PM	#2
Den Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington (State) Posts: 929	Whew! I'm exhausted! Great set.

03-09-2012, 08:02 PM	#3
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	Kyle, these are wonderful shots, you really had to work to get them I would say. We made this hike back in the 70's when we were young, but looking at the trail again I will just sit and relax and look at your photos. We just made reservations to stay there for 2 weeks in early September, so this thread was perfect timing for us to view. Thanks Bob

03-09-2012, 08:56 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480 Original Poster	I stayed here, the heart of downtown Springdale just outside the park.

03-09-2012, 09:14 PM	#5
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Nice set of shots. I used to love doing hikes like this when I was a bit younger - I wonder if I'm still up to it...? Or like Bob says, relax with a beer and look at some nice photos

03-10-2012, 12:01 AM	#6
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Thanks for a wonderful hike and the pictures aren't bad either Hiking at altitude doesn't bother me, we are used to hiking at 6000 - 7000 feet but the old knees don't like the steep inclines any more. Thanks again for posting these images.

03-10-2012, 09:35 AM	#7
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Great set of shots of a wonderful hike. We weren't able to get to hidden canyon either although we did try. Too dangerous with all the camera gear. Springdale is a nice little town. When we first visited Zion (they still allowed you to drive your own car in) no one accepted credit cards and the only hamburger joint closed on Saturday nights. Things have certainly changed since then. Thanks for sharing your photos.

03-10-2012, 05:29 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez When we first visited Zion (they still allowed you to drive your own car in)... Yeah, I was first there in 1981. Went on a motorcycle. Pulled up next to a couple on another bike at some turnout. They were from the same So Cal town as me. We went up the canyon which is now closed to traffic as you said. It's really much better now with the free shuttle.