Day 8: Zion, You Had Me At Sunrise
The Narrows, Mountain Vistas, Lizards
Panoramic View From Watchman Overlook
Another early alarm, because who doesn’t love being woke up at the crack of dawn, to grab a quick breakfast and a steaming cup of joe. It was a chilly 36 degrees so essential fuel for our next adventure. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a more romantic and breathtaking way to kick off our next year together. But let’s be real, who has time to lounge around? We’ve got the first park shuttle of the day to catch, heading straight for the legendary Narrows Hiking Trail.
The shuttle arrives, and it’s already standing room only at 7:15 a.m. Because nothing says “good morning” like squeezing into a tiny seat with a crowd of eager hikers, all armed with walking sticks, river boots, and rented waders. Growing up in Montana, I got a kick out of watching folks in full waders hurrying those two miles to the canyon entrance. You’d think they were trying to beat a record. The water temperature was a chilly 48 degrees and the water was swiftly moving, so the waders weren’t just for fashion. They were practically a survival tool on this March day. Most folks make it about two miles in before they decide they’ve seen enough or their kids fall in and turn the trip into one big splashy adventure. Sorry, kids, but you’re adorable but also very wet now. Queue the tears!
The Narrows is a must-see experience, but honestly, I was craving more stone stairways and sunshine. The canyon was shaded so never really warmed up. So, we headed into the charming town of Springdale for some snacks and to refill our water supply because dehydration is not part of our adventure plans. A delicious lunch of cottage cheese drizzled with honey-glazed pumpkin seeds hit the spot before we hopped back on the shuttle to Weeping Rock and the Walkman trails.
Weeping Rock was a gentle uphill stroll, kind of like a nature’s water feature spa day. You could stand right under the water spray and pretend you’re in your own outdoor shampoo commercial.
Then came the Walkman trail, a steady moderate climb winding around the mountainside to a jaw-dropping 240-degree view of Zion’s Visitor Center and the lower Zion Canyon. The scenery was so stunning I almost forgot to breathe. Seeing Temples and Towers and the Watchman was like walking through a postcard. And don’t forget the lizards basking lazily in the sun; apparently, they’re the trail’s official sunbathers. We even did a quick extra mile loop to enjoy more of the terrain before heading back down and catching another shuttle to the lodge. Since it was still early, we decided to take the riverside walk—a brief but peaceful escape along the water with a few hundred of our best friends. Did I mention this park was busy?
After a refreshing shower, we returned to the lodge’s grill for dinner. What a way to end the day! I went for the terriyaki salmon, while Scott chose a fully loaded cheeseburger, and both decisions turned out to be spot on. Nothing beats dining al fresco with a canyon view. It’s the food, the scenery, and maybe a little bit of that fresh air making everything taste better. No dessert tonight, but we did partake in an espresso martini. A little indulgent but it was our last night of the trip.
Finally, it was time to pack up our souvenirs, luggage, and memories, getting ready for the next chapter. Hopefully more adventures to come. Until next time, Zion!
Advice From A River:
Go with the flow.
Immerse yourself in nature.
Slow down and meander.
Go around the obstacles.
Be thoughtful of those downstream.
Stay current.
The beauty is in the journey
~ Lian Shamir
Time to jump in and start wading.
Zion Day 2 = 8.33 miles hiked