This is an easy and spectacular hike, which begins at the east entrance to the 1.1 mile long tunnel and runs above the great arch and gives a great view of the Beehives and East and West Temples. It will take about one hour and is a one mile round trip. Travel along the Zion-Mt.Carmel Hwy (scenic byway 9) and park at the east side of the tunnel.

The hwy through the park is open year round and the hike is reached without getting on a shuttle. Like more hikes in Zion it is best to hike in the morning or late in the day avoiding the heat of midday. Even midday however this is a comfortable hike.

The site from the Canyon Overlook point offers the great panoramic view of lower Zion. High above the canyon floor, looking down reveals Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon.

Looking North the East Temple can be seen and to the West is the Streaked Wall, West Temple, Bridge Mountain and the Towers of the Virgin. The trail begins with a unique path of rock stair steps which is the steepest section of the hike, then follows the wall of Pine Creeks slot canyon. Along the trail is a large alcove which provides the shade and moisture needed (due to rainwater trapped in the rock layers trickling down) for a different habitat along this hike, Here you will see moss and the maidenhair fern, a delicate fern with black stalks and contrasting green leaves. This is a great place to stop and have a rest or to just look out to the veiw below.

Along the trail is a large alcove (photo left) which provides the shade and moisture needed (due to rainwater trapped in the rock layers trickling down) for a different habitat along this hike.

Here in this moist shady spot you will see moss and the maidenhair fern, a delicate fern with black hair-like stalks and contrasting green leaves. The alcove overhands providing shade, adding this to the moisture the alcove is a cool place to rest and excape the heat of the summers days.

Hiking the trail this day in June, I saw the light pink colored Palmers Penstemen in bloom as well as yellow flowers in bloom on the Prickly Pear Cactus along the hike. There was also a variety of other flowers in bloom.

Note the abundance of lichens found here in ZNP. These are crusty grey plants usually on rocks or tree trunks. You will see them all over in Zion, even in places where cars frequently use as parking areas. This plant will only grow in abundance in places where the air quality is superior, as is the case in Zion National Park.

The lichen is actually two plants, a fungas and a colony of microscopic green algae or cyanobacteria. These two plants live in what is called a symbiotic relationship. In the case of lichens the relationship is beneficial to both organisms.

At the end of the trail it is time to rest upon the multitude of Hoodoo’s (photo left) found here and look down upon the beauty of lower Zion Canyon. This hike has a large concentration and variety of Hoodoos along its trail. These are odd shaped pillars of stone carved by nature into all sorts of designs.

Keep your eyes peeled for eagles and big horn sheep in this location. I saw one eagle soaring against the background of a giant monolith on this hike today. It was an incredible site!

The Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced into Zion. They are exceptionally well adapted to the conditions of the Park. Their numbers were reduced in the Southwest due to hunting and disease transferred from domestic sheep and habitat fragmentation. ep eyes peeled for eagles and big horn sheep in this location. The Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced into Zion. They are exceptionally well adapted to the conditions of the Park. Their numbers were reduced in the Southwest due to hunting and disease transferred from domestic sheep and habitat fragmentation.
 

for more Info:

This free scr

ipt provided
JavaScript Kit

Local Weather and Golf

Ingenious Solutions© Copyright 2003