This is but a small sample of the photos I made on this trip to Zion National Park. Each time I look at them I am reminded of the beauty that has been entrusted to our care. I was impressed by the use of shuttle busses through the main canyon. They managed the car traffic and helped visitors to be able to see many sights without having to sit in traffic, find parking places and make the drivers miss out on the spectacular scenery. They ran so often that visitors don’t have to spend long periods waiting. The shuttles make our time in the park more enjoyable. The multiple visitors’ centers allow many teaching opportunities and a chance to sit and watch short movies in between hikes.
Late afternoon view of rocks behind our hotel just outside of Zion National Park as clouds create areas of shadows over the rock face
Walking in the shady canyon where the Virgin River flows strongly with ice melt, the Zion canyon walls catching the sun
The rhythm of the three rock formations with their dark, medium, and light luminance, contrasting strongly with the green foliage of the trees (growing despite the difficult conditions) and the clear blue sky dramatize the enduring beauty of this canyon
A closer view reveals color withn color of the rocks, the layers formed over great periods of time, thrust up by pressure underneath, then chiseled by the erosion from wind, water, and ice
A deer pauses in its foraging to check out its surroundings. Does the deer enjoy the beauty as we do?
Columbines and other flowers cling to the rocks and receive water that flows down the rock face. These are called hanging gardens
Oranges, browns, creams, and golden hues in patterns carved by water and wind; the bird flying lends a sense of the immensity of this place
Hiking up the side of the canyon then looking down where a waterfall wets the grasses and rock reminds me of Japanese gardens
Snow sits in the crevices of the rock in late May. The horizontal and vertical lines across the changing colors reminds me of a very rugged checkered cloth.
We found the pool where we swam nearly 41 years ago. In July the water was warm and the air temperature was about 100 degrees
The sun climbs over the canyon, the Virgin River reflects the sky and canyon warms up
The canyon walls get closer together, but the river is rushing so strongly that the trail is closed to keep us safe. Here the rock is dark brown and grey as well as orange. Boulders in the river lie as testament to the rock face giving itself away
The eastern entrance to the park was closed when we arrived due to rocks falling into the road. This drive exiting the park was reopened after a few days without additional action.
This formation is especially beatutiful to me with its rounded terraces and diagonal striations.