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I had always wanted to visit Utah and check out Zion and Bryce National Parks as well as all of the other cool parks in this state. On this trip we flew into Las Vegas and spent a few days at the track, screwing around Vegas and then we rented a car and headed off for Bryce National Park.

The drive from Vegas is 150 miles from the park and offers some cool scenery, especially as you cross through Arizona. Zion itself is a middle of nowhere destination. However it was well worth the effort as this area is stunning with an array of color.

We always try to stay in these parks when we plan our trips and so we stayed at the Zion Lodge which was a great place to stay. Awesome rooms with stunning views ofthe massive rock right outside our windows. Many of the trail heads were within easy walking distance and the little town of Springdale is just a few miles away. In Springdale we found some cool shops, more cool places to stay and some awesom places to eat.

The hiking is 5 star, easy to ultra difficult hikes and climbs. There are miles and miles of awesome routes through slot canyons up the rock mountains and everywhere in between. I've climbed and hiked some pretty crazy stuff but hiking a slot canyon through very cold water was a new experience that was an eye opener. You should be very aware that the water in these canyons is very cold and will numb you in minutes. It is chest, even neck deep at some points, dress appropriately.

I also suggest that you use a hikiing cane to help balance yourself. Trust me you'll be glad you have it. The gound under the water is mainly rocks covered in moss and it is very easy to fall, the current, even where the water is at a low level is brutal and is very strong making it difficult to move forward. I'm not kidding. (I saved the Japanese guy and his camera gear that you can see in the photos when he slipped and started falling backwards in waist deep water). Crossing the streams and rivers on an angle is the best way to make any real progress. Bear Grylls was not exaggerating when he said that these canyons are the last place on earth that you want to be if they flood. There is no place to run or hide and even if you could your chances of survivial are, well survival would be very doubtful..

You will also find many waterfalls and pools, many of which you will have to climb to find. Suffice it to say that there are a lot if cool waterfalls and slot canyons throughout this park.

Be prepared as some of these hikes require that you be in pretty reasonable physical condition. Some of the hikes are long, some have steep climbs, and some are along sheer rock faces. Having threw out that warning, there are quite a few hiking trails that go to some very cool locations along the rock faces that most people can tackle if they are in reasonable shape. Again be prepared before you go out. It is very hot during the day, the nights are much cooler. Water is an absolute must, as is something to snack on. Again some of the climbs/hikes take hours. Waterproof suits can be rented in town for the slot canyons and I highly recomment them. If you carry a camera, be sure that you have something waterproof to carry it in. You'll regret it if you don't. Again this place is true wilderness and requires that you be prepared.

You will notice right off that the vertical height of the rock mountains and everything around you is simply stunning. In some of the photos you will see a group climbing a sheer vertical wall. I can honestly say that this is one park that I could revise many times. In three days we just touched the surface of what Zion and Bryce have to offer.

If you are a hiker or a climber, into photography Zion and Bryce should be on your must see list. Again it is simply stunning! and we plan to return in the near future.

Links

Zion National Park

Zion Information

In the photo below you can make out a group of climbers working their way up this huge vertical rock.