Emerald Pools
By the time we got to Zion National Park, I had racked-up what I can only characterize as a rather measly post-op hiking record. I had completed just two modest hikes, both of which had left me entirely wiped me out. The first hike—a flat, paved, three-mile stroll along Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon—required little more of me than to shuffle one foot in front of the other for a couple of hours. The second hike—in Red Rock State Park—was slightly more taxing, but the terrain was still pretty flat and un-technical.
After reading my guidebook’s description of the Emerald Pools trails, I wasn’t convinced I’d fare that well today, even though the hike was rated as being among the easiest in the park. I was starting to grasp the possibility that I had bitten off more than I could chew with this whole Zion hiking adventure.
There is a modest network of trails that link Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools and we decided to make wandering them our day’s aim. We started out on the trail that leads to Lower Emerald Pool. It was an easy hike to Lower Emerald Pool so that fueled my enthusiasm to carry on to Middle Emerald Pool. We lingered by Lower Emerald Pool a while and then proceeded along the path that climbs up to Middle Emerald Pool. That stretch was a bit more strenuous but I seemed to be fine. So from there, we followed a spur trail up to Upper Emerald Pool. That stretch was a bit challenging but I fared well. In all, the whole hike up to the pools was lovely. At every turn there was something to catch they eye—crisp waterfalls, tranquil pools, and giant walls of Navajo sandstone.
After reaching Upper Emerald Pool we rested before heading back down. As we descended, we followed the route to the Grotto Picnic Area and then walked along the banks of the Virgin River back to Zion Lodge.
The thing that struck me most about the hike was the way the immense sandstone walls funneled cool air down into the shady depths of the canyon. This meant the sheltered trails between the pools were comfortable to hike. This turned out to be in stark contrast to the section of trail that returned us to the Grotto Picnic Area, which was exposed to and utterly scorched by the afternoon sun.
Assortment
- Milton Keynes Central
- The first week of 2013 has been a hectic one. I had hoped to ease gently back into my routine after the New Year. But that didn’t happen. Instead I found myself tossed immediately under a landslide of work.
- Approaching Sky Pond
- After two weeks of work-related turmoil, I find myself in desperate need of a break. I take the day off and venture up to the Glacier Gorge area for a day of hiking. It being late June, I expect the trail to be snow covered at higher elevations.
- Southwest Coast Path
- This morning, the penetrating chill subsides. Warm breezes and soft birdsong take its place. The mildness in the air coaxes us to explore. We walk along the road, down the hill towards Bosigran Farm, and turn onto a footpath that leads to the coast.
