The Owl Chronicles

April 28 - May 8, 2019
Day 6

Friday started off as usual with our slow start...we have a definite routine down now.  Got to Zion around 9:30 AM.  We now know how the parking system works and how to get in the park as a pedestrian and made our way quickly to the shuttle bus and our first stop of the day was the Museum Center.

We happened to walk into a Park Ranger presentation and learned all about the human history of the park.  Very nice presentation.  She happened to mention that Galen Rowall was one of 3 first climbers to climb a rock face in Zion.  I had met Galen many years ago so it was neat to know he had a history here.

A visit with the Park Ranger

From there we picked up the Pa'rus Trail to the Visitors Center where we picked up the Watchman Trail.  3.3 mile trail that was described as very little shade and a 600' elevation gain.  Well the sun and elevation gain did me in.  I made it for about the first mile then gave up and headed back to the trailhead where I waited for Barb and Karen.  Had a fantastic view of the mountains as I waited.

When we gathered back together we found a shady picnic table and enjoyed a quiet lunch.  Something hard to do in this Park.

As we finished lunch and headed back to the Visitors Center we passed by one of the campgrounds and I spotted something I'd never seen before...a solar powered camper?  If anyone had been around I would have asked a bunch of questions

The Watchman Trail turned out to be pretty tough for Barb and Karen so we decided to ride the shuttle all the way to the last stop, just to see the park one last time.  Once we got to stop 8 Barb and I decided on one last stroll along the Virgin River.  Karen kept our packs and met us at the next shuttle stop.  And then we called it a day.

Tomorrow we head to Bryce Canyon.  We will get to drive the Park Road for one final look, but we will be sad to leave.

It's been a glorious visit!