AndieZion National Park-
Today was full of adventure and yet another change of plans and route! One tip…be flexible when traveling.
I am a planner. I love planning out itineraries for traveling and if i do say so myself I have a nack for finding the best deals, the coolest spots and packing enough to stay busy but still relax as possible! BUT, I always stay open to change because you never know what you might find to love, and visit with a little longer…or as in my case today…eave early!
Today started out bright and early as usual with my trip into Zion national Park. Which I quickly saw was the “Disney World” of nature lovers. Tourist, tourist and more tourists! And I’m not one to necessarily be a “people-ie” type person, especially when I’m looking for solitude.
I arrived at Zion before the sun came up. No traffic. I almost had the entire park to myself. I drove through, found the main center I needed that was close to the trail I wanted, and easily found a close parking spot. I read the things that herded me into divided lanes of tourists lines, and hopped on the transit bus. Zion is a “vehicle free” park except for the main entrance road so to get around, they have a bus system that takes you to color coded stops for trailheads.
I made a stop at a small hike and checked out the river, but my hike had a giant landslide a few years ago and I was unable to start from where I was. Which was fine, however the “new” trailhead was on another bus , which I had to board my bus, go through all the stops, change buses and do it all over again. I knew by that time the trail would be HOTTTT…and this made me angry… and it was all a little overwhelming by the time I made it back to the parking lot, because Holy People Battman, it was insane! yuck!
I did however, hop off at the Narrows stop, even though they were also closed because it’s May, and I think the water was too high. I hiked about 3 miles into the Narrows until I wasn’t allowed farther.
The hike along the river was beautiful. The path was paved and ah….the scenery….AND the people; after 8am, they were pouring in my the bus loads.
So I quickly decided, Zion was NOT my cup of tea!
Observation Point
I had applied for a pass to do Angel’s Landing in Zion, but I didn’t make it. It’s very tricky to get permits (another post on how to do that later), so I had decided to do Observation Point.
Let me say, this was not a disappointment. To find this trailhead, due to the rockslide, was a bit tricky. You have to go to another location, actually outside of the park (literally 1 mile from where I camped last night) take a 3rd party group van ride to the trailhead(my car wasn’t equipped to make the rough drive to the top) and then do your hike.
In the end it was worth it, but today was definitely a test of my mind over matter and my willpower.
Observation Point is another 7mile out and back hike, that is rated moderate! At 6,521 feet in elevation on the top of Mount Baldy, and jutting out into one of the widest sections of Zion Canyon, right around the Big Bend, Observation Point commands a view of nearly every major attraction in the canyon.
The hike itself is very steep, with short sections of level ground through beautiful Echo Canyon. It ascends nearly 2,000 feet during this trek; this is definitely not a trip for the casual, ridiculously-out-of-shape tourist. That means…even though I’m a fitness coach…I almost perished on this hike!
First off, it was hot. You know why? Because of the cluster of events that preceded this hike when I rode around on a bus tour of Zion for 4 hours….ugh! So, when you start this hike at lunch time….expect the sun to be in full heat mode!
Also, omg they have these fly things. Like tiny, flying, gnat/fly/bug things and they will literally drive you crazy! Even with bug spray they were swarming me for most of the hike; and those little f*$@ers BITE!!! My face, shoulders, arms, ears….. it was awful!
Many times on the hike up, I had to stop, and have a talk with Jesus. It went something like this, “Lord, it’s me, Andi. I know I cuss a little, but please don’t let me die on this mountain, the day after Mother’s Day. I’ll do better if you’ll just make these flies go away. I promise. I wont start another hike at 12:00, and I’ll call my mom as soon as I get back down. promise! okay? thanks”
When I finally made it to the top. Oh My Goodness, was it worth it! I sat on the edge admiring the canyon, looking down on the infamous Angel’s Landing, and drank some pre-workout and ate lunch.
Recovered from heat exhaustion, anger about the buses, and biting flies, I headed back down the trail. About half way down, I had to have a talk with myself. That’s one thing solo travel will accommodate; long talks with yourself and a lot, i mean, a LOT of thinking.
My talk was about how I can do this! I am strong! What I deserve in life and what I’m worth. I won’t deny that tears were shed, it was almost, no it WAS, a spiritual healing journey! Before I knew it, I had gone the 4.5 miles back to the trailhead.
Today I learned that the mind can overcome so many obstacles. That I don’t always need someone there to motivate me to go on or to fix my problems…I can do that for myself!
I also learned, that I am stronger than heat, flies, sun, heights and heartbreak. And doesn’t all that make today worth it?
I left Zion heading South instead of North, and I’m so gad I found the courage to keep moving forward.
My day ended here, in Horse Shoe Bend, Page Arizona! I pulled into town just enough to park, pay and walk briskly to the view point apprx 1/4 mile from the parking lot! I was something I wanted to see but never thought I’d make it!
So, with a view I never expected, dinner at a real restaurant and plans for a wonderful tomorrow, it’s been a great day!
Being thankful for pre-workout, cliff bars, sunscreen and plans that change
Best part: sunset views, a better radio station, bartenders and a good phone conversations
Worst part: those dang biting flies!!
P.S.
Just a quick FYI for all my future Vanlife campers! Did you know just in case you are car camping, RVing, roadtrip-ing or whatever and you can’t find a free camping spot or campground many business let you camp in their parking lot?! I have a few more safety tips coming, but one I stick to is I never find a camp spot in the dark! So last night…..this was my home! Walmart parking lot!
Here’s a list of other places that welcome campers!
Walmart, Cracker Barrell, Planet Fitness, Sam’s Club, Elks Lodge, Casinos, Camping World, Movie Theaters, Costco and Target
