We're going to Zions National Park and need advice!

[cookiecutter]

We're going to Zion National Park and need advice! *UPDATE*

Cookie-eater and my self are headin down to southern utah for a week for a senior trip and plan on having some fun in Zion. Neither one of us have been there so we're looking for advice from those in the know. We'll be contacting a ranger to become informed, but we'd like some input from fellow snowetsers.

We'd appreciate any input on cool places to see, eat, camp. Cool things to do in Zion or simply anywhere in that area of Southern Utah.

Give us all ya got.

Thanks!

 

[Motley Doo]

Take mountain bikes with you! A lot more fun to see the area on bikes, can cover a lot more ground. Also, layer up, gettings F-ing hot during the day, and gets F-ing cold during the night!

 

[cookiecutter]

mountain bikes.. thats a good idea. Hadn't thought of that, we'll hook our rack up

 

[cmantle1]

awesome place, youll have a blast.

i really wish i could remeber the name of the hike that we did, but it was this one where parts of it you had to hang onto chains cause it was a steep edge, really cool!

 

[cookiecutter]

sweet pics, thanks for sharing them. I'm very excited

 

[summitguy98]

Maybe I can be of some help. I'm from So. Utah. First it's Zion, not Zions. Second, are you big hiking people? the hike mentioned above is angels landing. It's quite a workout, but it's worth it. You'll also want to hike through the "narrows." basically the narrows is hiking through the virgin river so be prepared to get wet. Wear some nice boots and bring extra pairs so you'll have something to get around in after you soak your others. The hike isn't strenuous, and if there is any threat of rain stay away. All of the canyons in Zion are very dangerous with any rainfall.
It's cheaper if you stay in St. George or Cedar City instead of in or near the park. There's plenty of places to camp though. Also if you want to go to a place that is less packed, go to the Kolob section of Zion. It is on the north side of the park and has a separate entrance by New Harmony 15 min south of Cedar City.
Bryce Canyon N.P. and the Grand Canyon are also only 1-2 hour drives away from Zion too so you could plan to see multiple parks. If you want or need more specific info feel free to pm me or e-mail me at summitguy98@yahoo.com.

 

[summitguy98]

Good places to camp- Red Cliffs, Snow Canyon. Snow canyon is a state park, but both are beautiful places. Snow canyon has a lot more in the way of amenities, but red cliffs is more private and you can hike and climb on rocks and not really worry about park rangers and regulations.
There are also 2 lakes to camp at, Sand Hollow and Quail Creek. Sand hollow is larger and has sandy beaches.

 

[summitguy98]

Of those three pics above, the second two are of Bryce Canyon and not Zion.

 

[cookiecutter]

summitguy thanks for the name clarification. Yes we are pretty well rounded hikers, and we also have looked into the narrows. Would you recommend the one day hike of it, or camping in the narrows for the two day hike? also, thanks for the camp site ideas, i'm looking into the right now. If I have other questions I will e-mail you, we both greatly appreciate your willingness to help!

 

[summitguy98]

No worries, glad I at least have some info I can help people out with. As far as the narrows, I would've recommended the 2 day, but that's best when you can get dropped off above Zion near Navajo Lake and hike the whole thing. Since there's still snow up there go for the day-trip. If you do want to do a 2-day thing you can hike to Kolob Arch (world's largest arch.) It's a do-able day trip, but a good one to turn into a 1 1/2 day.

 

[EastcapeAngler]

Summit left something out...The gawd dam flies down there bite!.

 

[JohnnyQuestUtah]

"Angels Landing" on a Cool day, "Narrows [from bottom]"on Hot day, plan on bout, four hours round trip for both.

peace-

johnny

 

[snengineer]

What JQ said in that order, With an extra day hike Kolob Arch in the north entrance off I-15 like previously stated (if its above 90 I wouldn't do this arch hike in the middle of the day), its a longer hike with horse flies, you still might be early for that though. If your interested pm me about some more extreme stuff.

Other half day hikes;
Observation pt
Emerald pools (kinda lame since you "can't" swim in them)

 

[POLZIN]

Just be careful alot of people get hurt in that park! My buddy slipped and fell 120' bouncing a few times along the way! NOT GOOD! 8 hrs of S&R to get him into the chopper! He is luck to be alive from a simple slip on loose rock!

 

[summitguy98]

yeah a few people die every year whether from suicide or slips, so be careful.

 

[cookiecutter]

thanks for all the input. we are definitely very aware of the danger, and we will do what is necessary to keep safe.

another idea, we are pretty set on going to Zion. But I have had a few people tell me to head to moab and mountain bike for a week. There is still time to change plans, and seeing as I've never been to either place, what is your opinion for the best place for a good adventure for beginners to the area?

 

[Zachcreek]

Zion, Bryce, and off to Canyon Lands. Souther Utah is spectacular.
Done it many times on the bikes. Road (Motorcycles) and Mtn Bikes. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and such. Loose youself in Southern Utah. Its fun.

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html

 

[snengineer]

thanks for all the input. we are definitely very aware of the danger, and we will do what is necessary to keep safe.

another idea, we are pretty set on going to Zion. But I have had a few people tell me to head to moab and mountain bike for a week. There is still time to change plans, and seeing as I've never been to either place, what is your opinion for the best place for a good adventure for beginners to the area?

All of the above

 

[m_beeson]

Over by Moab you have a few good sites to view.

On the way over you can take a detour and see Goblin Valley. It can be an in-and-out thing, or you can hike it. It's pretty easy to get turned around in there. Best if you have a gps.

Over by Moab you have arches national park, site of delicate arch (the arch that is on the Utah License plate).

You also have Dead horse point, which overlooks the colorado river (at least 1000 ft straight down). That's a beautiful view. It's a state park and costs 10.00 a carload.

both of which can be found just north of Moab. Dead horse is on the west, and Arches is on the east. You'll see the signs while you're comming in.


South Of Moab you can see Hole-n-the-rock. Some old Miner built a home inside the slick rock. It's some very impressive work. I think his ancestry still runs the place, they give tours.

Further north you have Newspaper rock. It must have been a crossroads to some of the ancient indians. It is at a junction of 3 canyons I believe. There is a lot of petroglifs, or pictographs. I'm not sure which category they fall under.


There are a few things to research...

 

[m_beeson]

Here's a picture I took of Rainbow bridge. (Lake Powell / Glen Canyon National Park)