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Show Zion National Park A Spectacular Experience V vi -isaBiiiiiiiit Sir MHilVV- Zion National Park is open year round, and each season has its charm, but late May and early June is one of the best times to visit. The leaves on the trees and shrubs have a fresh green color to contrast with the red cliffs. New wildflowers come out each day in the desert, on the rocky hillsides and at the cool springs. The breeding birds have arrived and are singing vigrously. Temperatures are warming up to 90 or 95 degrees, but it is still pleasant weather for hiking, especially in the , morning and evening. If you approach Zion from the southwest following the Virgin River upstream to its greatest canyon, you will see a prominent landmark of the Park shortly after leaving St. George-the West Temple. A massive red sandstone cliff with a rectangular caprock. it appears and disappears several times as you proceed through the colorful and varied landscape of the upper Virgin River valley. At last, rounding the big bend between Rock-ville Rock-ville and Springdale, Zion Canyon comes into view; and passing through Springdale you come to the Park's South Entrance. Just ahead on the right, down by the river, are the two Park campgrounds, Half a mile further is the Visitor Center, where you can obtain a map and other literature. You can also see a slide program and study museum displays on the Park's geology, wildlife and history. A schedule of ( naturalist activities (nature walks and evenings programs) can be obtained, as well as advice) on how to get the most out of your visit to Zion. Zion Canyon The first part of the Park to explore is Zion Canyon, on the six-mile scenic drive. Two miles up, at the Court of the Patriarchs, the canyon floor levels out; park. here on the right. Take the five minute walk to the viewpoint, which is above the cottonwood trees and allows views of the sandstone peaks called the Three Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) ' and Mt. Moroni. Sentinel Mountain, 3100 feet above the valley floor, and the acient rockslide which fell from it, are clearly visible and a plaque explains the scene. Beyond Zion Lodge and the Grotto Picnic Area, the river and road make a big loop around Angel's Landing, a narrow red precipice which juts out into the middle of the canyon. There is a trail, starting at the Grotto, which leads out to the very end of the precipice. The next point of interest is Weeping Rock, a large overhang which constantly drips water. Golden columbines hang upside-down from the wet rock. The water comes from the great sandstone cliffs, which look dry but are porous and hold thousands of gallons of water. It is a ten minute walk from the parking lot to Weeping Rock. A little further up the road on the left are the two pullouts which offer the best views of the Great White Throne, the symbol about six o'clock. The mountain to the left of the Throne is Cable Mountain. A small wooden tower can be seen along the ridge against the sky. From this structure, pioneers at the turn of the century strung a 2000-foot cable which connected con-nected with two towers on the canyon floor. The cable was used to lower ponderosa pine lumber which had been sawed on the plateau to the valley below. Zion Canyon gets narrower and narrower in the next mile, until finally at the Temple of Sina wava , there is no more room for a road. A hiking trail goes further another mile, past GREAT WHITE THRONE - The Great White Throne, symbol of Zion, towers 2,400 feet above the valley floor in upper - Zion canyon. Zion Canyon offers the greatest of all scenic views of red and white sandstone scenes in the world. |