Observation Point, Zion National Park

Angel's Landing and the Great White Throne

The Virgin River

Slot canyon, later I'd see someone trying to make his way through

A nice little forested area.  Would not last.

Lots of pretty flowers along the way

More of the slot

A nice break from the sun

Some more flowers.  I love how they grow in middle of nowhere.

Plenty of these guys around

I want to put this in a pot and bring it home

Some nice slabs of yellow

The walk continues up!

The wonderful Zion Valley

High above the  never ending swithbacks

The summit of  Observation Point

Zion!

Cable Mountain

Looking down upon Angel's Landing

Cacti in bloom

Big Horn

Checking things out below

He's keeping a watchful eye on me

He's still waiting for me to get lost

Another look at the switchbacks

While ascending Observation Point, I overheard a guy saying to his friend, “you’ve got to figure, between yesterday and today, we’ve done the two greatest hikes ever.”  I liken trying to establish the “greatest hike ever” with trying to establish what’s your favorite song or what are the most beautiful women.  Is it “Let It Loose” by the Stones or “Jammin Me” by Tom Petty or “Behind Blue Eyes” by the Who or “I am the Resurrection” by the Stone Roses or “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats?  Are Scandinavian women more beautiful than Southeast Asian?  Or are Columbians or Indians more beautiful?  You see?  It’s difficult to sort these things out.    Having said all that, the guy I overheard did not make an overstatement.  Today’s hike to Observation Point would be a classic.

Off to a later than expected start, the heat would catch up to me later on.  The 4 miles to Observation Point were almost exclusively in one direction: up (although there were countless switchbacks).  With the 11am start, I could feel the sun bearing down on me almost immediately.  Not much shade to be had until there was a small tunnel of trees to walk through.  It was a welcome sight. 

Soon I came across a little slot canyon that the trail walked around.  This would be the last real break from the sun.  After that, I thanked every little tree I found that provided the slightest bit of shade.  The climbing continued.  I then reached an area of yellow rocks.   So unbelievably beautiful.  This area did not last long.  Geology is not one of my strengths, but I would like to have a better understanding of these kind of things. 

The route continued up until at last views into the Zion Valley opened up.  “You don’t get views like this in New York, Do you?”  No we do not.  But I did make my case to Jason, whom I met at Observation Point, that we instead have the Gunks, Catskills and Adirondacks.  All these places can rival anything I’ve seen so far. 

Observation Point provided a bird’s eye view of the Zion Valley.  Nearby Cable Mountain is in view.  Amazingly, the early settlers built a cable that ran from its summit to the valley to transport timber.  I found it hard to believe there was enough timber to be found up there.  From this vantage point you look down to Angel’s Landing.  From here, Angel’s Landing does not look like much.  But you can make out the narrow ridge leading to its summit.  That will be tomorrow’s adventure.  I also assume it to be the “other greatest hike” the guy mentioned. 

The walk down was much easier and provided an absolute highlight.  I noticed an English woman stopped on the trail, looking through her camera and pointing it up.  She told me, “there’s a Big Horn Sheep up there!”  At first I barely noticed it.  Then the Big Horn climbed up on to a rock out cropping to check us out.  What a sight!  A Big Horn in its classic pose: perched up high, looking out for predators.  I stood in awe for quite some time.  The Big Horn is right at the top of my list for animals I’d like to see in the wild.  And there he is!  As I continued my descent, I thought, “yes, I figure today, this is easily one of the best hikes that I’ve ever been on.”