Wednesday, March 26, 2014, Mist Covered Mountains in Zion National Park, UT

We had planned to tackle an eight-mile hike to Zion's Observation Point on the East Rim Trail in Zion National Park, UT. It had an elevation gain of more than 2,200 feet so it cannot be a surprise that as the morning passed we seemed to lose our resolve. Eventually, even finishing the taxes took priority.

We felt so good about finishing the taxes we worked on health insurance next. Joani found an agent, Kyle Henson, who was well acquainted with the needs of full-timing RVers. He was able to find us health insurance in South Dakota that had a nationwide network and didn't exclude full-time RVers. We were on a roll, so we converted our 401-K to an IRA and, just like that, all of those nagging tasks were completed.

Just as we wrapped it all up and had some lunch it started raining. That's when it hit us, if we had gone hiking we would have been soaked! How about that for a silver lining to taxes - they kept us from getting wet!

When the rain slowed down, I ventured out to a transformed park. The mountains all around us were shrouded in misty fog. 

That's the best thing about an extended stay in a single location - you have the chance to see it in different conditions. The mist covered mountains were an unexpected, and beautiful end for a surprisingly productive day!

Monday, March 24, 2014, Move to Yet Another Site in Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, UT

This was our third moving day within Watchman Campground in Zion National Park, UT, (our fourth site - see Joani's captions below to understand why all of the moving was necessary.) We racked up another 0.6 miles on the coach (7,299.6 trip/66,780.7 total). After settling in, Sam got a brisk walk along the Pa'rus trail stopping for a couple of pictures along the river.  

National Park campgrounds that allow reservations fill up fast. If you can just get in, the likelihood of extending your stay is good. The cancellation penalties are minor, so it happens a lot. The trick is you have to be willing to check the availability often on www.recreation.gov and when a block of days show up, snatch them up right away. They will only be there for a short time. Sure, you will need to move around every few days, but since there is no water in the park, you will need to service your tanks anyway. We have managed over 3 weeks in Zion, at only $18 a night, even though our original reservation was only a week.

It is so nice to not feel rushed. Neighbors have done 3 hikes in one day, trying to fit it all in. We're not up for that. One good hike and then sit back and take in the majestic scenery all around us in this fantastic campground.

  

It was a sunny, warm day but, according to the weather forecast, a cooling trend was on the way, so I spent the afternoon reading outdoors while I could - I don't think there is a nicer place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Saturday, March 22, 2014,Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, UT

We decided to hike the Watchman Trail starting a bit earlier while staying in Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, UT. It was difficult to see just where the Watchman Trail went from the Visitor's Center. The map didn't really help us either. It was also not at first clear how it got its name since the Watchman was not visible from most of the trail. 

Finally, a sign to let us know we were on the right trail.

The famous Watchman Peak is completely blocked by the intervening cliffs seen below. When I noticed someone standing on the cliffs, our destination was finally clear and we started to appreciate the trail's potential.

The trail, in fact, had some of the most beautiful vistas in the park. The camera's panorama mode was the only way to attempt to capture the grandeur.

An energetic group passed us on their way down. Their exuberance caught our ear as we neared the top of the trail. For the most part, however, there were very few other hikers and we heard only birds singing, water trickling down the canyon and breezes blowing through the trees.

Finally, at the top, it was clear why this was named the Watchman Trail. Beautiful views were in every direction, however, and we found ourselves spending more than an hour slowly covering the loop trail up on the overlooking cliffs.

As an added bonus, it was the first time the skies were filled with fluffy white clouds to lend a bit of drama to our pictures.

The trail contained a lot of picture-worthy subjects on a smaller scale as well. The texture of the lichen growing on the rocks, lizards and the ready to bloom prickly pear cacti all made interesting photos. 

At just under three miles and 368 feet of elevation gain, the Watchman may be our favorite trail in Zion. It was a good workout but never had any precarious drop-offs and wasn't so strenuous you needed time to recover. It will definitely require a return visit someday.

Friday, March 21, 2014, Watchman Trail, Zion National Park, UT

While still in Zion National Park, UT, we decided to try the Watchman Trail. It starts at the Visitor's Center. It was a medium hike that seemed like a good idea, but we didn't get started until late (around 3:00). As a result, we decided just a short distance up the trail to make the hike another day. The trail follows the east bank of the river for a while and looked really nice in the afternoon sunlight. 

Passing by the Visitor's Center again on the way home the details of the center architecture caught our attention. If we end up settling in a desert climate somewhere, I think it would be a nice goal to build a home that is energy independent (at least, energy efficient). 

Reading reviews of campgrounds in Zion, by fall the ants are unbearable. That's another reason to come in March, they are just waking up from the winter.

"Small house, big yard"

Thursday, March 20, 2014, Walter's Wiggles, Scout Lookout and Angels Landing in Zion National Park, UT

While still in Watchman Campground in Zion National Park, UT, it was time for us to get serious about hiking and tackle another of the "strenuous" trails. Angels Landing, via the West Rim Trail, was a 5.4 mile round trip with nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. A half mile from the top is Scout Lookout which was our goal.

The top of the mountain in the center of the picture is Angels Landing. We had no intention of going that far.

Can you tell I'm struggling? The steep incline doesn't give up, but I'm about to.

I decided to take it slower and sent David on ahead. I did make it to Scout Lookout, eventually.

Outside of the canyon, the trail looks like many of the others in Zion. I think there were so many people on the trail because of Spring Break (I wondered what percentage of these people reach the top.) It was a bit evil how the trail starts off with such an easy gentle slope, then gradually steepens with the switchbacks, then hits you with Walter's Wiggles before you see the impossible looking last half mile. "Walter's Wiggles" is a series of 21 tight switchbacks that climb several hundred feet very quickly.

It might have been good that Joani was not with me at Scout Lookout when I decided to continue the last half mile to the top of Angels Landing.  It did not appear to be that much of a climb until I topped the hill visible from the Lookout and found I had only covered a small fraction of the last half mile and it was the easy part of the trail.

Over the first hill, you get to see the real challenge! It was surprising just how many people made it to the top. Of course, I was seeing the ones on their way back down and there were some terrified looks on people's faces, questioning their own sanity.

Below was only one of the many places along the trail where you didn't want to fall in either direction! Fortunately, this spot had security chains on both sides (most of the time there was only one chain or no chains.)

I wondered if this little girl thought the trip was worth all of the effort. Both she and her sister were with their dad (a lot of people questioned his sanity) heading back down from the top as I was heading up. Much later, I passed them again on my way down - they were obviously taking their time and being very careful.

Since Joani was not with me, I imposed on another hiker to have some photographic evidence that I made it to the top. I was happy to sit for a few minutes, but I was feeling a bit guilty that I left Joani with the impression I was only going to the Scout Lookout. I was already at least 30 minutes later than she was expecting and I still had to go back down.

Having David's pictures of the trail (and the pictures of the barefoot little girl) made the trail look less intimidating.  We hope to do it again next week so I can try to make it all the way up.

Walters Wiggles was a workout in itself coming up, but now, going down, it did not seem so bad.

I think I can say, with no reservations, I have no interest in ever being a "mountain climber."  Clearly, the work for this girl was not over when she reached the top - she had to carry all of her gear back down. I'm guessing she had somewhere between a 40 and 60-pound load. Her climbing buddy was close behind with even more of a load.

This is a 20-something young lady (100 pounds soaking wet) making her way back down the trail after a climb.