Sunday, May 29, 2016

Riverside Walk Trail - Zion National Park




The Riverside Walk Trail starts at the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive at the Temple of Sinawava.  The hike is only two miles round trip on a paved path, but plan to spend extra time here along the river. The squirrels and chipmunks will entertain you for hours. They are very people-friendly especially if you have food. They will beg like a dog and even climb up into your lap or on your shoulders to get your food.  I witnessed a chipmunk pulling food from a backpack that was left unattended. It had chewed a hole in the backpack in no time. You will also see butterflies, deer, and beautiful flowers that grow from the rocks where water seeps through almost continually. The water in the river is very cold in the spring so if you want to be able to go in the water go in late summer or fall.

This trail leads to the famous Narrows where you can walk for miles in a narrow canyon following the stream. In early summer you will have to rent waders and shoes in order to walk through the freezing water for any length of time.  You can rent them in town. This hike is quite difficult because of the uneven surface of the stream and the fact that you can't see where you are placing your feet if the water is deep.  It is slow going. 

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