Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
impressive when colored by the setting sun. A postage stamp depicting the Great
White Throne was issued in the 1930s.
Another eye-catcher is the huge
CheckerboardMesa,
which you pass when en-
tering the park from the east. This huge dome of sandstone has a fishnet pattern
created by a unique form of erosion and weathering. Although horizontal lines
in Navajo sandstone are fairly common, experts believe that the rare vertical lines
were formed by freezing and thawing processes, and then enlarged by running wa-
ter. For more information on the mesa, see “Seeing the Park by Car and Shuttle,”
below.
Those who think of southern Utah as nothing but burning desert will learn dif-
ferently at
Weeping Rock,
a short but steep walk along Weeping Rock Trail. Its
name comes from the spring water that continually runs down the vertical face
of the rock, nurturing hanging gardens. For more information on this feature, see
chapter 3, “Hikes & Other Outdoor Pursuits in Zion National Parks,” and chapter
9, “A Nature Guide to Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks.”
How to Snap Great Wildlife Photos
The key to getting good wildlife photos is to know the animals' habits, such as where they go and
when. Then, get there first and quietly wait.
The
EmeraldPools
★★provide another look at the wet side of Zion—lush green
plants, pretty pools of water, and two delightful cascading waterfalls. In a short
canyon near Zion Lodge, the lower pool is an easy walk along a paved path, while
the two upper pools require a bit of real hiking. The pools' rich green color is the
result of algae in the water.
At the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is the
TempleofSinawava,
a pic-
turesque canyon surrounded by rock walls reaching 2,000 feet into the sky. Here,
you'll discover the aptly named Pulpit and Altar rock formations, as well as maple
and cottonwood trees and a spectacular waterfall that cascades almost 1,000 feet
down the temple's west wall during the spring and summer. This is the beginning
of the Riverside Walk, discussed below.
The
RiversideWalk
★★★, one of the park's easiest trails, should not be ignored
just because it's not a challenge. It begins at the Temple of Sinawava and parallels
the Virgin River, providing a good sense of the steepness of the canyon walls as
you approach the Narrows. Along the walk are interpretative signs discussing this
particular ecosystem. This is a good place to hear, and possibly see, the canyon tree
frog, plus the American dipper and other park wildlife. For more information, in
