![]() ![]() You can use the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass to get into Zion (US80 per annum), otherwise it will cost $35 for entry with a car for 7 days, $30 for a motorbike or $20 per person on foot or by bicycle.Īs the National Parks Pass is $80 for the year, we felt it was worth it if you plan on visiting more than three national parks in a year.The hike from the Weeping Rock Trailhead to Observation Point is a classic hike in Zion Canyon and the viewpoint at the end of the trail is one of the most iconic in Zion National Park. Hiking at sunrise or sunset will give you the most beautiful light for photographs of the canyon, with sunrise being the best of the two (we got lazy with our early starts after having got up for sunrise to hike the Narrows!). If you can hike in spring or fall crowds will be a lot lower, although this is generally a very quiet trail (for now at least as most people we spoke to hadn’t heard of it!). You begin the trail at just over 5500ft so if there has been heavy snow the road will be closed (even if there is little snow in the canyon there is always more in this area). The trail should be accessible any time there isn’t significant snowfall. Whilst the dirt road doesn’t require a 4 wheel drive, it is still slow going and rough.īest time to hike the Observation Point Trail via the East Mesa Trail This is primarily because a significant part of the drive is down an unsealed road. This is on the eastern side of the national park and takes about an hour to drive to from Springdale. You can find the trailhead on Google Maps through this link. The alternate route to Observation Point is by taking the trail that starts from the East Mesa Trailhead. Getting to the Observation Point via the East Mesa Trailhead Read next: The best hike in Bryce Canyon - Navajo & Peekaboo LoopĮssential info about the Observation Point Trail The track ends very abruptly as it reaches the cliff edge and you realise you’ve made it to Observation Point! It isn’t long before the trail gets narrower still and quite rocky (but never difficult) and you hit the red rock and sand that are synonymous with this amazing national park. ![]() We couldn’t believe we were actually heading towards views of Zion Canyon at this point because it really doesn’t look like any other part of the park we’ve visited. The track flattens again as you make your way around to the view point. The track begins to descend a little and get narrower before you reach the junction which meets up with the Observation Point trail which begins in the canyon (the one that’s currently closed). At the opening, go through the fence and you’ll see the big signpost for the Observation Point trail.Īfter just over a couple of miles you’ll get your first glimpse of the mountains and there are more trees around which provide some shade and also a bit more interest.įrom this point in the hike the trail gets prettier and you’ll start to get a few more views. ![]() Start from the car park and head along the sand until you see a fence. The beginning of the hike is not as well marked as you’ll probably have been used to in the rest of Zion. If you don’t mind walking back in twilight and partially in the dark, we’d highly recommend a late start for this one!Īnyway back to the trail. ![]() It doesn’t require a shuttle service to reach either, making it easy to squeeze into your Zion itinerary.įor us this meant one glorious thing: we could visit for sunset! It was the only sunset from a trail we could do in the park, as the last shuttles were leaving before dusk during our visit in fall. If you’re not so much a fan of hiking as you are of good views, then you’ll be pleased to know that this route is much quicker and easier than the traditional route. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |