Zion's High Points

This warning sign was at the end of the Narrows. Its too early in the season to venture up into the canyon. When the water exceeds 140 cubic feet per second, it is too dangerous.

Zion has some really special places. Many of them are well known, like Angel's Landing, Observaton Point, and the three Emerald Pools.

www.youtube.com/user/brawny03

Taste of Zion and Sights in Zion are a couple videos I've shot so far of these hikes.

Fortunately on my days off, I can eat a good breakfast in the employee dining room, take a bottle of water and light pack, and hike to these really great views.

I always recommend an early start. Its cooler, less crowded, and
you have the entire day to enjoy it.
Also, you can avoid the afternoon thunderstorms, although rare, can occur in late summer.

Why Does It Match?

Hiking up to Scout Lookout in Zion National Park, I noticed a hand print in cement. It was small, perhaps a child's? Wait! It matches mine.

I'm not into cement paths.
But, its accessible. We the employees here are told not to use the term handicap accessible. Just Accessible.

What's happening to us, as a people. I heard a lady on the cement path at Temple of Sinawava say "Its so much nicer this year. Last year this trail was all Dirt!"

Walking along in flip flops, munching apples, cameras and IPods in tow, down cement paths, back to the shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes, we all get a chance to see extraordinary views of cliffs, rivers and valleys that must be felt, loved and above all, preserved.

I wonder if life has become too easy. The things we cherish the most are the things we struggle to win, nearly loose, but at last regain. Perhaps our paths have become too generic, too certain.

That hand print matched mine.
Does it reflect a universal desire to leave one's mark on the earth?
Or, an opportunist just taking advantage of wet cement?
Was it the trail gods warning me not to become lazy by choosing too obvious a path?

Zion National Park

Another season, another seasonal job. An artist once said, "if you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much space." That's how I feel right now, on the edge, counting days, hoping the Home Feeling returns.

But, tomorrow, my first day off since driving 2100 miles to get here, I'll truly be on the edge: a day hike up to Angel's Landing and some cliffs with edges to spare.

Its amazing all the people who actually live and work in the park, yet don't hike it.
I hope to video my adventures and post them on YouTube.