10.14 Observation Point, a premier hike in Zion, Utah

The 'drop-off kid', making progress, loves ledges...(Click on photo to enlarge, leave as is for text/captions)

Fall colors from half-way up

Above the valley, a spectacular position off-trail amongst the giant walls

Jen at highpoint of hike, about 6,700 feet

The first big town in Utah, from the south-west, is St. George. It looks like a nice place.
We traveled from there to Hurricane, our base for six nights. Passing through the latter town is all
one really wants to do. However, that’s the way to miss the spark. Sure, the town is very ordinary
and unattractive. However, look around and the surrounding mountains are captivating. Add in the sunrises
and sets and things change. Make a turn off the main road and enter a newly developed suburb and it
becomes even easier on the eye as the modern houses, neatly set out, give one a warm feeling. Nestled
in the valley is the golf course and by the way, each house has incredible views of great looking mountains,
each one a different shape, the mountains not the homes.

Jenni with 'Angel Landing' slab at her back

Color near the beginning of hike

After a fast hike up to summit, looks like the fellow is about to fall asleep

Continuing east towards Zion National Park, one passes through La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville
and Springdale. Hardly anyone around in this sparsely inhabited area, but views that make a person
gasp. Then Zion appears and one enters a very beautiful place—Zion, an appropriate name chosen by
the early Mormons who certainly had an eye for beauty.

Guess who? Looking down Zion Canyon from the top

Early going with clear trail and much color

Observation Point hike is one of our favorites. It has everything possible to include in an
outing. The beauty, coloring, ledges, edges, slots, a little water, caves, climbs, rock formations,
boulders and buttes on which to scramble with breathtaking views every moment. The hike is 8 miles
with an elevation gain of 2,200 feet. Why does it always feel much more than that? It really does
seem much higher.

From another angle, perched above the canyon and park

Rock Country, some of Zions many forms, materials and shapes

Let the photographs try and transport you through a magnificent place.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Editor sends 'skivvy' to survey the valley for a short-cut down

A narrow slot with the look of the 'Wave'

One of many giant slabs and mountains