Memorial Day Weekend in Zion

Over Memorial Day weekend, we took off to Zion with Todd & Ashley, Terry & Laura, and Jeremy & Julia. Even though my wifey is not the outdoorsy type, she planned this trip for us and we had a really good time. It took just about the entire afternoon to get down there to camp. We arrived at the Inn (forget the name) and camped on the backside of it. We took the evening setting up and taking in the views around the campsite. It was a lil tight with others around us, but that's good so the mtn lions didn't attack!!!! HA! We were hoping the weather would work out for us, 'cause it was forcasted to rain. It did pour on us pretty good the first night ( I sat by the fire during some of the rainfall 'cause I was camping after all and love fire). Our stuff didn't get wet inside the tent so all worked out just fine. The next morn, the Vegas couple arrived and we set out to hike.

We decided to hike Angel's Landing. From the rain the previous night, it was a cool day that made for great hiking weather. The hike was a bit beyond us for the 1st day (most of us are pretty out of shape). I don't know how many miles it is round trip, but it was definitely long and steep enough to ensure we all had a good nights sleep later on. The hike has many points along the way with great views of the surrounding area. It starts with flat spots that incline little by little. Before long, you can see that you've hiked a ways up the side of the mountain as you get better views of the valley below. Towards the end of the hike, there are a ton of switch backs that wear on your legs and backside! Once past the switch backs, you come into a clearing where many fellow hikers rest, eat lunch and take in the scenery. This is not the end of the hike, though.

For those daring enough, the hike continues up along the side of the mountain where a chain has been put in for the safety of all. Remember, the chain is your friend. After taking a short break, all of us decided to continue on to the top. We went up the very first part of the hike when we encountered a line of hikers coming back down. We had to pull off to the side to let them all pass. The waiting went on and on and on. About 40 minutes later, the hikers finally cleared out. Most of us had already finished the sack lunches we brought and our nerves became more and more jittery as we waited to climb. Slowly, one after another decided not to go on the hike. I was determined to go to the top and was glad that Jeremy and Julia wanted to do the same. It wasn't easy for me. I'm afraid of heights, and the more I sat waiting, the more my heart started racing.

So the three of us set out for the top. Just before we headed there, Julia asked a girl how it was. She said it was raining a bit at the top, and she wouldn't go since the rain makes it even more slippy. This made us think a lil harder about going, but we went on the hike for that purpose and went onward. For me, the hike got easier and better as we went higher and higher. I thought the very start of the upward climb to the top was the hardest. When we reached the top, we got to see the awsome views of Zion. It was pretty cool to sit there and take it all in. After taking pics, we headed back down the mountain, met up with the others and went back to our camping site.

At camp, we fixed dinner, and then played a spirited game of Stupid Uno. My, how that game brings the best out in everyone!!!! It rained on us again that night, but the rain was nice since it kept the temperature down (which is good for Southern Utah).

The next day, we did a shorter hike to the Emerald Pools (I think that's what they're called). We hiked to the lower and then upper pools. The hike was much easier than the day before and didn't tire us out nearly as much. This hike didn't give the views nearly as much the day before, but we were able to hike near water and rested next to the upper pool . It was a nice hike to take the day after the killer. We were a little disappointed that we weren't able to hike the Narrows (that was the reason we took the trip). The hike actually consists of going in a flowing river and the water was too cold for us to do it. Since we weren't able to do that hike, we want to go back over summer and do it.

We all had a really good time. It was nice to get out in the open and visit some of Utah's preserved land after going to the Tetons and Yellowstone last summer. There's much to see down there and we'll be back before long.