Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Because planning a trip here can be bewildering, with so many options, we've as-
sembled the very best that these parks and the surrounding areas have to offer.
The Best Day Hikes
EmeraldPoolsTrailSystem (Zion National Park): If green is your color, you'll love
this trail—algae keep the three pools glowing a deep, rich, and yes, emerald
green. The first part of the trail leads through a forest to the Lower Emerald Pool,
with its lovely waterfall and hanging garden.
EastMesaTrail (Zion National Park): Allow a full day for this 6-mile hike, which
is an easier and shorter route to Observation Point than the Observation Point
Trail. From the promontory, you'll get spectacular views down Zion Canyon,
with the Great White Throne in the foreground and Red Arch Mountain beyond.
NavajoLoop/Queen'sGardenTrails (Bryce Canyon National Park): To truly experi-
ence magical Bryce Canyon, you should hike down into it, and this not-too-dif-
ficult, 3-mile combination of trails is the perfect way to go. Start at Sunset Point
and get the steepest part out of the way first. You'll see Thor's Hammer, the
towering skyscrapers of Wall Street, and some of the park's most fanciful forma-
tions, including majestic Queen Victoria.
RimTrail (Bryce Canyon National Park): This underrated trail is a delight, provid-
ing splendid views down into spectacularly scenic Bryce Amphitheater from a
variety of vantage points over its 5 1/2-mile length. More walking than hiking,
the Rim Trail includes a half-mile section between two overlooks—Sunrise and
Sunset—that is suitable for wheelchairs. Views are especially fine early in the
morning, when you can watch the changing light on the red rocks below.
The Best Backcountry Hikes
HikingtheNarrows (Zion National Park): This is an experience unique to Zion Na-
tional Park—a hike through a 1,000-foot-deep canyon, with water filling it from
side to side in most places. Although much of Zion is dry rock, this is any-
thing but, and it's an incredible experience for people in good shape and with
strong nerves. It can be experienced in three ways—as a short day hike, a full-
day hike, or an overnight hike—but all involve getting wet. Warning: The Nar-
rows is prone to flash flooding, so check weather forecasts and flash-flood po-
tential before setting out.
RiggsSpringLoopTrail (Bryce Canyon National Park): Although this 9-mile loop
can be hiked in 1 day, it's better as an overnight backpacking trip. This enables
you to take your time to see wildlife (possibly even mountain lions), as you hike
through forests of Douglas fir, ponderosa pines, piñon, and aspen, with views of
the white and pink cliffs soaring above.
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