6:00AM. Flashlight? Check. Warm layers? Check. Camera? Check. While I’m always an early-riser, it’s not usually to tie on my hiking shoes and hit the trails in the dark. But that’s exactly what I did this morning as I headed out to witness the sunrise over Zion Canyon from the Canyon Overlook Trail.
At about 0.5 miles long, the Canyon Overlook Trail starts just east of the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel and climbs up sandstone steps, traverses a small cave, crosses precarious ledges, and ends with a sweeping view of Zion Canyon. One of the best times to be there is at dawn, when the sun slowly illuminates the walls of the canyon. Which means hiking in the dark in order to be in place when the sun first hits the top of the West Temple on the opposite side of the canyon. It was quite cold with the wind, but finding a spot away from the other early morning hikers was easy and it was humbling to watch such a majestic scene unfold.
The hike back was much brighter and I found myself stopping frequently to take pictures. The early morning light casts a pink and golden hue on the sandstone cliffs; a photographer’s dream. I was also treated to a group of bighorn sheep grazing in Pine Creek Canyon below the ledge.
After making it back to my car and back into Springdale, it was time for breakfast. MeMe’s Cafe patio was quite lovely, despite the 50 degree temperature, and it was there that I enjoyed an enormous breakfast crepe filled with eggs, ham, and cheese, and drizzled with a rich hollandaise sauce. It provided plenty of fuel for my next adventure: a hike on the Watchman Trail.
The Watchman Trail travels 1.5 miles from the Visitor Center to a viewpoint overlooking the iconic Watchman rock formation. While not the most impressive hike in the park, with the sun now high in the sky, it was both hot and tiring. The trail climbs steadily up, through a series of switchbacks and curves, to its highest point. A 0.3 mile loop at the top affords views over Springdale and the entrance to Zion Canyon.
By the time I got back to the trailhead, I was pooped. I took the shuttle back to my hotel and collapsed on the couch. I ended up taking a nap and reading on the balcony for the afternoon. Not very exciting, but it was definitely needed. After relaxing for most of the afternoon, I walked up the street to Oscar’s Cafe for dinner. While it wasn’t bad, I was underwhelmed by my chicken and Swiss sandwich, which came out smothered in mayonnaise (way too much for my liking). I was back at the hotel by 5PM and ready to read and watch TV for the night.
Traveling with Laura 