Zion National Park, Utah

Hiking to Observation Point

 We visited Zion National Park 14 years ago, when automobiles were still allowed on the park road.  It was busy, cars were jammed up trying to get into parking lots, and the smell of exhaust was everywhere.  In 2000, the Park Service made the decision to restrict auto travel and set up a shuttle service to transport visitors into and out of Zion Canyon.  Today only bicyclists and shuttle buses use the 7 mile road from Canyon Junction to the Temple of Sinawava at the top of the Canyon

The waterfall at Temple of Sinawava

As we would only be here for two days we wanted to do something really special.  We had climbed the Park's premier hike "Angel's Landing" in 1997.  On the afternoon we arrived we unpacked the bikes and rode up the canyon to check possible hikes.  With no cars, the ride was marvelous, definitely a first rate way to see Zion Canyon.  We found the hike... Observation Point.  The hike is 8 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 2,100 feet, up about 4 million switchbacks stuck like goat paths along the canyon walls.

The Hike to Observation Point.

After the first set of switchbacks (seen above) the trail enters Echo Canyon.  We had to remove our shoes and wade through this part of the canyon.
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The trail follows above the true slot canyon that is Echo Canyon.  Skilled Canyoneers navigate the slot with rappelling ropes and wetsuits, but we were satisfied to walk along above it in the warm sunshine.

Echo Canyon

Looking Back Through Echo Canyon

 After Echo Canyon the trial widens for a while, then continues up switchback after switchback to a plateau above Zion Canyon

Zion Canyon from Observation Point Trail

Zion Canyon from Observation Point - Angel's Landing in the Foreground.

Angel's Landing is the point at the far left of the narrow fin seen in the foreground.  The hike up that knife edge is one that any hiker will remember for life.  If you ever get to Zion NP, and have the time, take the hike to Angel's landing.  If you have the time, and a lot of stamina, take the hike to Observation Point.





⇐  Waterfall over the Weeping Wall.


We were very lucky to see this fall at such full flow.  This waterfall is the outflow of the creek through Echo Canyon.













Zion National Park, one of our first National Parks, was established as a National Monument in 1909 and as a National Park in 1919.  The 7 mile long canyon, walled by huge sandstone towers, is unique in the world, and a must see in the southwest US.