Green Wall in Hidden Canyon.

Hidden Canyon Start and End: Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop. A short, steep climb, then an airy traverse leads to a lovely, shaded canyon. Exploring the canyon requires a little scrambling. 2.4 miles (3.8 km), 800 ft (250m) of gain. 2 hours round trip.

From the Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop, cross the footbridge and climb the steep switchbacks (shaded in the morning) up the hillside about ½ mile (400 feet of climbing) to the well marked branch right to Hidden Canyon. Follow this trail about ¼ mile to the mouth of HC, including an exciting traverse around a rock buttress, with chains to hold onto. The trail ends at the mouth of HC - scramble carefully around a pool at the mouth and continue into the canyon. Some scrambling is required a few minutes into the canyon, then the canyon is nice and easy for 20 minutes or so, until a pile of huge boulders requires a bit of climbing to climb over. Immediately afterward, a short steep wall blocks access to all but rock climbers, and shortly after that, a steeper and taller wall blocks access for even most climbers. (The first wall has been the site of several accidents, please don't be one of them. It is harder to climb down than climb up). Return the way you came.

 

Angel's Landing is one of the most popular hikes at Zion. Understandably, as it climbs a steep and twisted trail to the top of a dramatic peak. Is this Zion's easiest rock climb? or its hardest hike?

From the Grotto parking area, take the bridge across the river and turn right. Follow the paved path easily at first, then more steeply up across the cliff face, around and into the cool shaded notch of Refrigerator Canyon. Follow this back a ways, then up Walt's Wiggles - constructed switchbacks leading to the top of Scout Lookout. Continue up the trail to the right, past the "widow's tree" to the steep and exposed route to the summit of Angel's Landing. Chains are provided as handholds for the non-climber.

And there you are. On Top. One Fantastic View. Chill for a while. Return as you came.

	Enjoying the grand view toward the south

 

Emerald Pools Trail: Start at Zion Lodge, End at Zion Lodge. A pleasant hike to and behind some nice waterfalls. Popular and not too strenuous. The trail passes near some cliffs, so keep kids under control. 1.6 miles (2.6 km), 200ft (70m) gain. For adults, about 1 hour, complete.

From Zion Lodge shuttle stop, pass the snack bar and enjoy the large tree in the center of the lawn. From the tree, head directly away from the Lodge and cross the main canyon road, finding a footbridge across the river. Turn right and follow the trail north along the Virgin, then left into a side canyon to a waterfall and the lowest Emerald Pool. The trail runs behind the waterfall, then up some steps and into some large blocks and to a Tee. Turn right to go to the Grotto Picnic Area. For this hike, turn left and follow the trail mischievously through some blocks. In a few hundred yards, a trail branches right to the Upper Emerald Pool. (Take the trail to visit the upper E Pool, and the dramatic cirque where Heaps drops in: 0.4 miles (0.6 km), 200ft (70m) of gain; about 40 minutes round trip, steep uphill, not really that good).

The main trail continues down and left, and crosses the streams that drop precipitously to the first Emerald Pool. Watch children carefully here, as the footing next to the stream can be slippery. Cross the streams and carry on forward, climbing slightly, then traversing the canyon above a dropoff all the way back to the main canyon. The trail follows the bench several hundred feet above the canyon floor, passing the bridge, then descending to the side of the river. Turn north (left) and stroll a few yards to find the footbridge back to the Zion Lodge.

	Alicia and Hank strolling past the first Emerald Pool.

 

Observation Point. (from the bottom): Start and End: Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop. A steep, 2100-foot (640m) climb up a generally wide and exposed trail to a dramatic viewpoint of the Main Canyon. This one is exposed to the full sun - don't hike it in the heat of the day. This hike can be combined with Hidden Canyon, or the Echo Canyon Middle Narrows (from the bottom).(With a car shuttle, OP can also be accessed from the East Side). 6.2 miles (9.8km), 2100 ft (640m) of gain. About 4 hours.

Cross the bridge at Weeping Rock trail, and climb steeply up the hillside. Pass the Hidden Canyon side trail and continue climbing. The trail climbs to the top of a ridge, then flattens out, heading into Echo Canyon and to the base of a huge, smooth sandstone wall. Check out the acoustics (.9 miles, 1.4 km). Follow the trail into the wash at the bottom of Echo Canyon. Follow the wash a few hundred yards, then catch the trail as it climbs the far side of the canyon, up an obvious ramp. Continue up the trail into the open, and usually into the sun. After climbing easily for a mile or so, the trail turns left and switchbacks up the mesa, coming to a long section where the trail is cut into the rock, with a steep dropoff of several hundred feet on the left, then coming to the top of the mesa. Continue along the edge of the mesa to a trail intersection. Right goes to the head of Mystery Canyon and the Upper East Mesa Trailhead. Straight goes in .35 miles (500m) to the dramatic overlook of Observation Point. Return the way you came.

 

Pine Creek / Great Arch Overlook Trail: Start and End: drive N from Springdale, then follow Rte 9 up Pine Creek Canyon and through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Park at the east end of the tunnel - there is a small parking lot and parking along the road. This is a short, easy hike to a nice overlook. OK for the sunset, but it faces the wrong way. 0.7 miles (1.1 km), 100ft (30m) of gain. About 1 hour round trip.

From the end of the tunnel, climb the well-marked stairs on the north side of the road. Follow the trail east under a cool overhang and into a slickrock area. The trail is briefly indistinct - don't worry, continue forward to a railing at the edge of a really big drop. Enjoy the view. Return the way you came.

The canyon to the south of the trail is the famous Pine Creek Narrows. Please do not go close to the edge or knock rocks down in there - even at the oddest hours, there are often people in there.