Aug. 20...Riverside Walk below the Temple of Sinawava

Another easy walk...1.5 hours roundtrip.  Minor drop-offs.  The paved trail follows the Virgin River along the bottom of the narrow canyon known as Zion Canyon.

This is probably the most popular of all the trails in the Park.  It is easy, interesting, and terminates at one of the 2 more challenging trails that are the ones hikers want to tackle for "bragging rights": 

"I hiked The Narrows", at the upper end of Riverside Walk, 8 hours/9 miles roundtrip

or

"I hiked Angels Landing" via Walter's Wiggle, 4 hours/5.4 miles roundtrip with long drop-offs and no side rails... not for those with acrophobia.

This water is cold and swift, and the bottom of the river is an unknown mix of sand and rocks...

very difficult to walk in.

[9/11 comment: I imagine The Narrows has been closed all day today because of the rain we have had since last night.] 

Hikers are advised to check with the Visitors' Center before commencing this hike.  High water levels can prevent access, and flash floods follow rains.

Following is the quote from the Park map and guide regarding hiking The Narrows:

"The Virgin River has carved a spectacular gorge in the upper reaches of Zion Canyon- 16 miles long, up to 2,000 ft. deep, and at times only 20 - 30 feet wide.  The Narrows, with its soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens can be an unforgettable experience.  It is not, however, a trip to be underestimated.  Hiking The Narrows means hiking in the Virgin River.  At least 60 % of the hike is spent wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the river.  There is no maintained trail because the route is the river.  The current is swift, the water may be cold and deep, and rocks underfoot are slippery.  Flash flooding and hypothermia are constant dangers.  Good planning, proper equipment, and sound judgment are essential for a safe and successful trip."

The notch in the rocks is the beginning of The Narrows.

This is the beginning of The Narrows.  First, you have to cross the river to get to the first stretch of sand beach.  I haven't done that yet, but must soon if I want to experience any of The Narrows.  The rains have begun and the temperatures are dropping daily.

Look closely, and you will see a baby squirrel.  This is the most excitement I had on this hike.  Too bad, I didn't think to put my camera on movie mode.  The children around were so excited about this baby squirrel chasing his/her tail around and around and around.  He would stop briefly and then begin again.  We adults advanced several theories about this strange behavoir:

1. He had rabies... we certainly hope not.  He didn't appear vicious or attack anyone.
2. He had gotten some hallucinogen
3. Some prankster had given him something alcoholic (the young people who work in the Parks are full of antics and do a lot of drinking)
4. He had fleas
5. And my favorite: he had no siblings, and the only thing he had to play with was his tail

Poor guy/gal; I don't know why he/she didn't fall over from dizziness.  At least he/she was smart enough to stay in the shadow of a bush on one of those 100+ degree days.

Mother squirrel finally came to see what all the commotion was about and must have admonished her juvenile, for he/she calmed down and left the tail alone.

 The sunlight on the young tree made its leaves appear silver.  Note the cross-hatching of the rocks in the background (my geologist son probably would admonish me for my terminology!).

The Ranger Talk for the evening was called "Starry Nights", held in a campground behind the Visitors' Center.  Thank goodness I had presence of mind to take a good flashlight (thank you, Ronnie).  It is amazing the difference in our night skies at home in town with all the "light pollution" and the night skies with very little competition for the stars.  I cannot recall the last time I had seen the Milky Way!  It stretched in an arc completely across the zenith of the night sky!  I just stared and tried to take it all in...mission impossible!!!

Next adventures occurred during my first week of work: a surprise visitor and one I hadn't seen since we worked together in The Tetons.  Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of either.

Janice Howard, a neighbor in Johnson City and member of one of my bridge clubs, showed up unexpectedly on Monday morning, Aug. 22.  She had told me at bridge that she would be passing through Zion, but I didn't get any details.  Annie Shurtleff from Tulsa had tracked me down through a mutual Facebook friend to let me know she would be in Zion on Wednesday, Aug. 24 on a Road Scholar tour (formerly Elderhostel).  She showed up as I was headed to lunch, so we talked over lunch and arranged for me to join her for a talk by a Hopi Indian fellow, who also was their bus driver.  Very interesting and informative.  We then went to her room and caught up on what we both had done since we worked in the gift shop at Jackson Lake Lodge in The Tetons in 2006.

Next adventure will be a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park when I have days off the following week-end.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, PEG