The 8,726 foot summit of Horse Ranch Mountain is the highest point in the park. The lowest point is the 3,666 foot area called Coal Pits Wash. The North Fork of the Virgin River flows downhill at a gradient of between 50 and 80 feet per mile, making it one of the steepest flows in North America.
The road into Zion Canyon is 6 miles long, ending at the Temple of Sinawava. At the Temple the canyon narrows and a foot trail continues to the mouth of the Zion Narrows. This gorge is utterly spectacular as it narrows to 20 feet wide and 2000 feet tall. photographers and site seers wade though the cold water to witness the incredible play of light off the steep canyon walls. It is a feast for the eyes to witness this magical place.
The Zion Canyon road is served by a free shuttle bus from early April to late October and by private vehicle the other months of the rear. Other roads in Zion are open to private vehicles year round. The east side of the park is served by the Zion Mount Carmel Highway which passes through the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel and ends at the Mount Carmel Junction, Utah. There is a fee if you are towing a travel trailer through this tunnel. The rangers have to stop traffic on the other end, and escort you through the center of the tunnel.
Zion spots plenty of hiking, backpacking, and climbing. I have experienced the hiking and climbing first hand in Zion and it has proved to be a place of great adventure for me. There is also lots of great rock scrambling in Zion. One of my favorite places to rock scramble is Checkerboard Mesa. It is located on the east side of the park. You will also find the East Temple in this area. The Kolob Terrace area west of Zion Canyon features "The Subway," a slot canyon hike, and "Lava Point," with a panoramic view of the entire area. The Kolob Canyons section further west near Cedar City, features on of the world's longest arches, "Kolob Arch"
Some of my favorite hikes in Zion is Angels Landing (also a great climb if you are technically capable) The Subway, and the Narrows (which are spectacular as mentioned above, but require a permit if you hike beyond Big Springs. Best way to enter the Narrows is through Orderville Canyon) Kolob Arch is also very worth your time to hike too. Weeping Rock is also a great hike that will only take you about 20-40 minutes to do. Other activities include horseback riding, Ranger nature walks, and night sky viewing.
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- Donec ut mauris vel risus rutrum commodo.
- Fusce nibh sapien, porttitor sed euismod inaliquet eget lorem.
- Curabitur scelerisque mauris quis diam gravida
- Placerat ligula scelerisque.
- In vitae sem nec massa imperdiet condimentum.
Curabitur scelerisque mauris quis diam gravida eu placerat ligula scelerisque. In vitae sem nec massa imperdiet condimentum. Donec ut mauris vel risus rutrum commodo. Duis sed massa id urna varius. Fusce nibh sapien, porttitor sed euismod in, aliquet eget lorem.
- Donec ut mauris vel risus rutrum commodo.
- Fusce nibh sapien, porttitor sed euismod inaliquet eget lorem.
- Curabitur scelerisque mauris quis diam gravida
- Placerat ligula scelerisque.
- In vitae sem nec massa imperdiet condimentum.
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