We are back from an EPIC summer vacation week, and what a week it was! One of our goals is to visit more of our National Parks and Zion was a spectacular one. Even better, both of our daughters were able to join us, so it was a week filled with bucket-list adventures and precious family time. I’m joining Deborah and Kim for the weekly rundown.
Here’s a rundown of our activities for the week:
Monday: Walk 4 miles, Strength Training
Tuesday: Very early travel day, Stargazing Zion late that night
Wednesday: 3-hour hike of The Narrows, Swimming, Hiked the Pa ‘rus Trail
Thursday: Horseback Riding, Hiked to the Overlook, Hiked to Emerald Pools
Friday: 7-Hr Canyoneering Adventure then headed to St. George
Saturday: Slow morning (yay!) then headed to Las Vegas
Sunday: Spent the day in Vegas, saw July 4th fireworks on the Vegas strip
Monday: Travel day home
Five Bucket-List Adventures at Zion National Park
Stargazing Zion
Zion National Park and the surrounding areas are Certified International Dark Sky places. Who knew that was a thing? Our first night there, we took full advantage of the darkness by attending a Dark Sky show put on by NASA-affiliated astronomers. When we arrived at the outdoor location at sunset, our guide pointed out Venus, Mercury and Jupiter. Jupiter was in the process of setting. Numerous telescopes were set up, and we were invited to recline in oversized stadium chairs while we surveyed the skies above as we listened to the lecture Before long, the full moon rose from behind the mountains. It was nothing short of spectacular. The evening was fascinating and relaxing all at once. The perfect activity after an exhausting day of travel. I confess though that I got so comfy I may have drifted off for a sec.
Hike The Narrows on the Virgin River
We rented gear designed specifically for The Narrows from a local outfitter. That morning we donned neoprene socks and hiking boots designed for water. A walking stick and dry bag was also provided.
After about a mile hike, it was time to get in the water. It ranged from ankle-deep up to chest-deep in some places. Because the riverbed is very rocky, traversing it can be quite challenging, especially when the rocks are slick, the rocks move or rapids are rushing over them. The views though are preposterously beautiful. It was some great family time, and we’ll be talking about it for a long time to come.
Horseback Riding
I have lots of experience with horses, thanks to my equestrian pursuits while living in England many years ago. However, this ride on Western saddle (still no problem) climbed very narrow paths up, down and around some precipitous mountain terrain. I was nervous about the horse possibly slipping but I did my best to just relax and trust him. They know the path, they know how steep and dicey it is, so I just went with it. The sweeping panoramas were stunning, and the horses were absolutely great. The was a very enjoyable morning and such a great way to take in the spectacular views and be in nature.
Hiking
Zion National Park has countless hikes to choose from. Whether you’re lucky (??) enough in the lottery to score a permit to hike Angel’s Landing, (no thanks, I’m good) or you prefer something less treacherous. The Pa ‘rus Trail hike was the tamest one we did. The trail is actually paved, so while it’s an easy walk, you have to be aware of eBikes. The Emerald Pool Hike was mostly okay, but it had some pretty ridiculous spans where rock scrambling was necessary.
When we hiked the Overlook Trail, I confirmed that I do not care to be near the edge of cliffs with steep drop-offs when there is no guard rail. I do not care to see my kids near those unprotected edges either. I am not afraid of heights, per se, but the cliff edges scared me. A lot. So much so, that when I could see in the distance where the Overlook Trail culminated, there were people sitting and standing all over some very high rocky areas. That sight alone made me wanna stop in my tracks and go no further. With lots of cajoling by my squad, I proceeded despite my trepidation. I focused only on the next step rather than the overwhelming view at the end. eventually I got there in one piece and enjoyed (kind of) the Overlook view. Let the record show I am not a fan of cliff edges. Not one bit. Little did I know what terror the following day’s adventure held!
Canyoneering
I’ve been nervous about this particular “adventure” ever since the Caveman booked it. I Googled what the heck Canyoneering specifically is more than once. If. like me, you weren’t sure what Canyoneering is, it’s essentially arduous hiking, rock scrambling and lots of rappelling. Rappelling is when you lower yourself over a cliff edge via rope and harness and make your way down to the bottom of the canyon. I already told you how I felt about cliff edges.
I talked myself down a bit, and the Caveman assured me the adventure was suitable for ages 10-80. Okay then surely it can’t be SO bad then, right? Maybe two or 3 rapells? Dropping 10 or 20 feet??
Our first rappel was one of the larger ones. Way, way, WAY more than 10 or 20 feet. Seriously why?! To be honest I was scared sh*!less. Who the heck thought this was a good idea?
After the first couple of terrifying rappels, I figured maybe we were almost done. How many could there be? Yeah, no such luck. There were a total of 12 rappels, with some over 100 ft down. Oh and of course lots of “spicy” hiking in between. For the record, when the guide says the trail is “spicy” it means there IS NO TRAIL You just sort of bushwhack your way around and hope for the best. It is a freaking miracle that none of us came away injured. It might be even more of a miracle that my bionic hip was totally great with all of it. Not a peep. Go figure. That said, I did manage to get myself very banged up, I still have the scabs and some colorful bruises to show for it.
On a positive note, the slot canyons were insanely gorgeous. One would never see this splendor if one did not rappel down like we did. It was so peaceful and otherworldly. In the seven hours we spent on this Canyoneering adventure, we did not come upon another soul. It was unbelievably quiet and SO peaceful, hearing just the wind rushing in the trees above and the occasional screech of a hawk.
I am possibly most proud of the fact that our guide insisted we’d all be so sore after our adventure, especially in the upper body. Let the record show I was not sore AT ALL. Just banged up. Haha! I’m not likely to go Canyoneering ever again, trust me once was enough, but in hindsight, now that I’m alive to tell about it, it was thrilling and really beautiful. Not something I ever had “on my bucket list”, but if you have an adventurous spirit and a love of heights and tight spaces you might enjoy it!
What adventures are on YOUR bucket list? Have you been to Zion? What’s your favorite National Park?
I have not been to Zion or any of the NPs in Utah. They are on my bucket list, though! Let it be said that my hubs is not a fan of heights–so I may need to do this with someone a little more adventuresome! Thanks for sharing–it looks amazing. There aren’t any other people in your photos–how did you manage that? I keep hearing how crowded it is there.
Wendy I think the heat of summer is the “off season” because of the potential for excessive heat. We lucked out with highs in the low 80s and beautiful sunshine every day. We hit the narrows first thing in the morning and our horseback and canyoneering trips were private.
I have not been to Zion! Looks like you all had such a fun adventure together. Isn’t it fun to travel with adult children?! Great photos!
Wow! Kudos to you for staring down your fears and doing ALL the things! It does sound like an amazing time —especially with both your daughters (how did they do?). — and the challenges were rewarding, but yikes!
I don’t think I’d mind the rappelling as much as the cliffs — at least there’s a rope, right?
Your family certainly made the most of Zion and kudos to you for stepping out of your comfort zone so many times! We did the Emerald Pools hike, and like I mentioned before, the Virgin River was flowing too high so the hike up The Narrows was closed and we couldn’t do it. There’s no way I’d hike up Angels Landing, but our daughter-in-law had done it the previous year with a group of girlfriends. As for seeing inside the slot canyons? I’ll skip the canyoneering and enjoy the views at Lower Antelope Canyon (although we did have to climb down some pretty steep and long ladders at one point).
Way to go on the canyoneering! You’ve actually sold me on the idea and I think my family needs to do it! But I applaud your efforts on getting way out of your comfort zone. What a great trip and yes, you will talk about those adventures for the rest of your life! We did hike Angels Landing when we visited Zion. It was crazy.
When we were at a dark skies area at the Grand Canyon we also attended a dark sky event. In addition to seeing several planets through the telescopes, we also saw a comet with our naked eye! It was so cool!
I’m glad you got to have this fun family trip and your hip felt good. yay!!
What an epic adventure! The hiking sounds fun, but the repelling not so much, LOL. I do have a sense of adventure, but I’m not sure I’d be up for that. Such beautiful pics, though 😉
Wow Marcia, I’d be scared too but those views and fantastic rock formations!!!!!!!! And you did it! That must feel good now afterwards! What sounds most scary to me here is the chest-deep water crossings with a rocky slick riverbed, I think I’d maybe prefer the canyoneering to that!
I wouldn’t want anything too adventurous but there is an Italian camino that I’m interested in, it’s supposed to be easy enough, Il cammino dei briganti that crosses a big chunk of Abruzzo, the region we go to most years and which is our second home. It’s absolutely stunning there and I was excited when I heard there’s a camino there. I need to train my legs and feet hard for that but we might decide to do it in a few years.
EPIC indeed!!! This is so cool, Marcia! I want to pack my bags right now and go there to experience it!
Although, I’d be just as scared as you about all the canyoneering stuff and the rappels and the “spicy” trails….but I’d close my eyes and try.
Also, I’m seriously impressed that your bionic hip handled all of this without complaint! Looks like it passed its first big adventure test with flying colours.