To get to Zion Canyon we took the Zion - Mount Carmel Highway which is an experience in itself. It has two tunnels, one of which is nearly 2km long and works its way along the edge of a cliff about 5 meters in from the sheer cliff. Alng the way are 'windows' to see out. Before going though the tunnel we took some exercse and hiked up to Canyon Overlook (1 mile) which gave us a view along a side canyon and into Zion. It also gave us a look at the switchbacks that we would be driving to get from the tunnel end to the canyon floor.

You cant drive into Zion but an excellent shuttle bus runs every six minutes so we hopped on and went to the end of the canyon. Its called the Temple of Sinawava and we had lunch there and then did the river walk (2 miles). The canyon gets so narrow that all that can it is the river so we called that the end.

On the way back we hiked up to Weeping Rock (half mile) and the emerald pools (2 miles). Maureen stopped at pool 1 but I decided to try for the middle pool and then the upper pool which was at the rock face well up the side of the canyon wall. It was steep enough to stop most people who don't like heights.

It was a hot day for hiking - mid 30's but a dry heat. Needless to say we needed a lot to drink by days end.

Our impression of Zion --- WOW!!

Tomorrow its the north rim of the Grand Canyon