Canyon Chronicles: Zion’s Whispers and Bryce’s Echoes

Our journey began on Friday night after our son's school was over for spring break. We hopped on a flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, at around 7 pm. Our first stop was Mesquite, Nevada, which was a good midway point between the Harry Reid International Airport and our first destination, Zion National Park. We settled in at Mesquite for the night.

Day 1: Biking Zion Canyon Scenic drive and Emerald Pool Hike

As the sun rose on Saturday, we hit the road, leaving Mesquite behind. Our destination? The majestic Zion National Park. Arriving at our hotel near the park, we decided to explore the area on electric bikes.

Our hotel: The Lodge at Zion

We rented the bikes from a store right across the street from the hotel (got a 10% neighbor’s discount too). This being our first time on electric bikes, we were all super excited, but the weather caught us off guard. It was bone-chillingly cold, and our lack of proper gloves made it even tougher. Still, we persevered, riding a total of about 20 miles.

Our journey began at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Here, the Pa’rus Trail awaited us—a paved, multi-use path that winds alongside the Virgin River.

As we pedaled further, the towering sandstone walls literally enveloped us…Pedaling against the biting cold and the relentless wind, we marveled at the towering monoliths. Cream, pink, and red cliffs soared into the azure sky, their ancient stories etched in every crevice. The road wound through, revealing vistas that stole our breaths.

Our initial plan included the Emerald Pool hike, but fate had other ideas. The original trailhead to the emerald pools was closed, so we opted for the longer route from the Grotto, which added about a mile to the original 3 mile hike. We locked up our bikes at stop #6, and took the Kayenta trail that merged with the Emerald Pools Trail.

The trail had beautiful views but got pretty crowded. It was not a difficult ascend, although it did get a bit strenuous at times. The views were breathtaking!

After conquering the hike, we continued on our e-bikes. The bike trail led us through the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is both awe-inspiring and challenging. Cyclists ride single file along the road, sharing space with shuttle buses and fellow explorers. We took the scenic road all the way to the Sinawava Temple (the last stop), making only a few unplanned stops for pictures. Biking the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive was an exhilarating journey!

Day 2: Angels Landing and Canyon Overlook

After a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we hopped on the shuttle to Zion National Park. Our first stop? The Grotto, where we embarked on the Angels Landing hike. While we didn’t conquer the final ascent (permit woes!), Scout Lookout treated us to jaw-dropping views. The 4.5-mile round trip, with an elevation gain of 1500 feet, left us exhilarated and a tad weary.

Canyon Overlook Trail: Sunset Magic

A late lunch revived our spirits, and we retreated to our hotel for a quick nap. But the day wasn’t over yet! We hopped in the car and drove to the Canyon Overlook Trail.

This one-mile round-trip hike gifted us with golden-hour vistas—the sun painting the mountains in hues of orange and pink. It was the perfect finale to our second day at Zion.

Day 3: Kolob Canyon and Taylor Creek Hike

The third day dawned, and we were ready for adventure. Our initial plan was to tackle the famous Narrows hike, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The weather wasn’t exactly cooperating, so we decided to pivot and explore the Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive instead.

Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive

As we wound our way through the canyon, our eyes feasted on the rugged beauty of Utah. The red rock formations stood tall, their ancient stories etched into every crevice. The 5-mile scenic drive unfolded like a dream, each turn revealing a new vista. We paused often, capturing snapshots of this otherworldly landscape.

Taylor Creek Hike: A Hidden Gem

Our feet itched for more, so we embarked on the Taylor Creek hike—a 5-mile round trip. The trail was deceptively flat, but the rewards were anything but ordinary. At the journey’s end, the double arch alcove welcomed us. We stood there, humbled by the grandeur of nature.

Day 4: The Narrows Beckon

Day four dawned with sunshine streaming through our hotel window. Our original plan was to head to Bryce Canyon, but the siren call of the Narrows was irresistible. The sun was up, shining bright on the Virgin River, and we knew—we had to experience this iconic hike today.

The Narrows: A Spectacular Journey

The Narrows is a remarkable section of Zion Canyon in Utah, United States. Imagine a canyon where the walls tower a thousand feet tall, and the river narrows to just 20-30 feet wide, plunging to a depth of 2000 feet. It’s a place of awe-inspiring beauty and captivating adventure.

The Narrows is accessible via the Riverside Walk, a paved and wheelchair-friendly path that extends for about one mile from the Temple of Sinawava. Beyond this point, we had to descend a set of stairs and step directly into the river, our boots gripping the slippery rocks. As we ventured deeper into the Narrows, we were awestruck by the towering canyon walls that soar up to a thousand feet. The water flowed, sometimes ankle-deep, sometimes waist-high. Our senses were alive—the cool water, the echoing canyon, the sheer cliffs. After about 2 miles in, we retraced our steps, exhilarated and famished.

Oscar’s Tex Mex Feast

Our hunger led us to Oscar’s, a Tex Mex haven. Burritos, nachos, and salsa danced on our taste buds. Recharged, we retrieved our car from the hotel parking lot. It was time to say goodbye to Zion. Zion National Park, with its red rock canyons, winding trails, and breathtaking overlooks, etched itself into our hearts. We do plan to be back here someday.

Next Destination: Bryce Canyon. After our 2 hour long drive, we checked in to our hotel late at night, our hearts still pounding from the Narrows adventure.

Day 5: Queens Garden and Sunset Magic

We laced up our hiking boots and set off for exploring the Bryce Canyon - starting with the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trail, a harmonious blend of natural wonders, geological formations, and awe-inspiring vistas.  

We started the hike from Sunrise Point, descending along the Queen’s Garden Trail.

This section treated us to stunning views of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and its mesmerizing hoodoos.

 As we continued, the trail merged onto the Navajo Loop Trail. Here, iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls awaited us. We took the Two Bridges side to ascend, since the Wall Street side was temporarily closed.

This part of the trail was really muddy and challenging to keep the balance without microspikes. But ascending was much easier than going down and were we glad that we took the Clockwise route!

Our next stop were the lower, mid, and upper inspiration points. The Lower Inspiration Point treated us to stunning vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater looking down upon Bryce Creek, the main drainage of the amphitheater. The mid inspiration point was also along the same path and from here, we continued to enjoy breathtaking views of the hoodoos and the intricate rock formations that make Bryce Canyon unique. The path from the mid to the upper viewpoint was snow covered, but we soldiered on, no microspikes needed.

Lunch and a rejuvenating nap followed, and then we perched at sunset point right before dusk, watching the sky paint the canyons in hues of gold and rose.

Day 6: Sunrise, Tower Bridge, and Farewell

Our final day loomed—a bittersweet mix of adventure and departure. With a flight from Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas, we faced a 4-hour drive from Bryce Canyon. But the sun whispered promises, urging us to seize the morning.

At 6 AM, we stood at Sunrise Point, the Queens Garden Trail awaiting us. The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the hoodoos. We drank in the magic, etching the scene into memory.

Back at the hotel, breakfast fueled us for one last hurrah. We checked out, leaving behind cozy rooms and canyon dreams. Our destination? The Tower Bridge hike. Muddy patches clung to our shoes, but we trudged on, the quietude of the trail soothing our souls.

Tower Bridge stood before us—a testament to nature’s artistry.

By 2:30 PM, we’d conquered the hike, our hearts full. The airport beckoned, but not before a final lunch stop. As we drove away, the canyons whispered their farewells. Zion and Bryce Canyon had etched themselves into our souls. We left with sore muscles, wind-kissed cheeks, and hearts full of wonder. As we boarded our flight home, we vowed to return—to chase more trails, witness more sunsets, and let the canyons weave their magic once again. 

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