In the month that has passed since my last post I've been busy "rehabilitating" from knee surgery, working some, and lastly, enjoying a week in Las Vegas and Zion National Park. Zion is located in Southwest Utah about 2.5 hours Northeast of Las Vegas. The park is accessible by road in four locations. Most tourists enter the park from the South via the town of Springdale. Modest Hotel accomodations can be found for less than $100 a night in Springdale, or in Hurricane, which is less than 20 miles from the park entrance. Tent and RV camping is available at the park, but reservations are required. Zion is a hikers/climbers paradise. It is also surprisingly very accessible for families and the elderly, having an extremely efficient shuttle system in place for visitors. Comfortable propane powered shuttles leave various points in the town of Springdale, as well as the park visitor center every ten minutes from early in the morning to late in the evening. Park information including fees, transportation, sights, and accomodations can be found at www.nps.gov/zion. Here are a few photos of my hike to Angel's Landing. This hike is advertised as the most difficult "maintained trail" walk in the park. If you have good walking shoes, plenty of water, no fear of heights, and are in reasonably decent shape, the hike is doable. Just take your time and stop for frequent breaks to take a sip of water and let your heart rate drop a few notches! The views from the trail are ... well ... breathtaking! The trail is carved into a solid rock wall with switchbacks zigging and zagging toward the ionosphere. The hike is a "must do" and should be on every hiker's "bucket list".
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