| ZION EVENTS | |
Day of the Condor
June 18, 2011
8:00 am to 12:00 noon
Kolob Terrace Road.
Location will depend on the condors to look for signs posted along the roadway.
Fee Free Day
June 21, 2011
Entry fee waived. Enjoy the first day of Spring in your favorite national park!
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| The Magic of Angels Landing
By Lyman Hafen
Executive Director |
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Photo by Nick Jorgensen |
My first encounters with Zion Canyon were as a little boy, some fifty years ago. Those experiences in the canyon with my father were so profound they marked me for life and I have tried my best to replicate them for each of my own children. One such experience occurred almost two decades ago when I took one of my sons, who was five years old at the time, on a hike to the edge of Angels Landing.
It was early October and clouds, dark and heavy, had lumbered across the canyon all morning. The air was cool and we pulled on our jackets as we set out across the bridge at the Grotto. We crossed the river and started up the trail and by the time we reached Scout Lookout an hour later the sky was closing in. An ominous white mist enveloped us and filled the great void of canyon below.
My son commented that this must be what it's like in heaven. I agreed. It was an amazing and very inspiring situation we had walked into.
It may not have been the wisest thing to do, but we pressed on, in spite of the weather. The clouds thickened as we worked our way up the spine of Angels Landing. The autumn air grew stiff and cold. We could only see a few yards ahead of us and we proceeded, holding tight to the chains the park service had provided. I had been there in full light many times before and I knew too well what a misstep could mean. I kept a firm grip on my son's hand. He knew it was forever to the bottom.
As we reached the top of the Landing, snow began to swirl around us. We didn't complain. We accepted it as a gift. I told my son that thousands of people hike to this spot every year, but very few ever get to stand here in the middle of a snow storm. We looked off into the nothingness of white. My heart soared. How could I be so lucky to be standing here with my son, at this moment, amidst such perfect beauty and serenity.
Then the wind began to blow. It forced cold tears from our eyes back to our ears. But we stayed warm enough in our jackets. Before long the cloud let go of us and moved slowly on, leaving us exposed to the heavens on that lone rock in the sky. A shaft of light broke into the canyon. We could see it all now. We could see the Great White Throne standing stately before us on the other side of the canyon, and the curling band of silver River far below.
We were surrounded by a world of wet, glistening rock. The scene was so overwhelmingly beautiful I wondered what I'd done to deserve it. Then, scanning the ridgeline across the canyon, my eyes stopped on a feature perched at the edge of the east rim. Far across the canyon void, on the lip of a pine forest plateau, stood the remains of the old cable works where earlier generations of settlers had lowered lumber to the canyon floor 2,000 feet below.
I thought of the people who had built it and considered the hardscrabble existence of those Mormon pioneers who wore out their lives trying to make a living in this canyon. Then, in a cloud of revelation, it occurred to me how different our lives are today. My son and I, in the midst of an autumn squall, had climbed these canyon walls in search of adventure and beauty. Those early pioneers had climbed the same walls in search of lumber to build shelter from the storm.
My son and I still remember that day with fondness and gratitude. I am writing this on the day before his wedding and I can't help but think that sometime in the near future this story will repeat itself.
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Plan Your Visit Now to Enjoy this Great Event!
Celebrating iconic artist Thomas Moran's place in the history of Zion Canyon, the Zion National Park Foundation will host the third annual "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran Plein Air Art Invitational," October 31 - November 6, 2011. The event will bring together 24 of the country's finest landscape artists to paint in the places Moran sketched in Zion Canyon. The artists will lodge in the town of Springdale, Utah, and will paint plein air (on location) throughout the week at the same vantage points where Moran first made his Zion sketches. Park visitors will have many unique opportunities during the week to witness these great artists at work in the park through daily demonstrations, lectures and workshops.
An exhibit of samples of the artists' studio work will hang in the Zion Human History Museum from September 20 to November 27. On October 31, the invited artists will arrive in the canyon and paint through Thursday, November 3. Site maps will be available for visitors indicating where they can view the artists at work. At noon on Friday, November 4, a "quick-draw" event will be held on the Zion Lodge lawn beneath Zion Canyon's towers of stone. An auction of the quick-draw pieces will follow.
On the evening of November 4, the Zion Nature Center will be converted into an art gallery as more than 130 paintings produced during the week will be hung for a sale to invited guests. The wet paint sale continues for the general public on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, at the Nature Center.
Proceeds from the event go to the Zion National Park Foundation and support important projects in Zion National Park. This year, funds raised by the event will support Zion's ongoing "Art in the Park" programs, and the park's emerging "Youth Education Initiative," making it possible for children throughout the area to visit the park and have a potentially life-changing educational experience.
This event combines art and philanthropy, both of which played a crucial role in the formation of national parks like Zion. Today, artists, donors and sponsors continue that rich tradition, preserving the wonder that is Zion National Park for future generations and enhancing the visitor experience.
For more information visit our website here or call 435-772-3264. |
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Biking Zion 101
By Bob Jones
Operations Manager Zion Shuttle System
It was 1916.Frederick Vining Fisher mounted his horse and rode into Zion Canyon, only to become immortalized with the words " Never have I seen such a sight before. It is by all odds America's masterpiece. Boys, I have looked for this mountain all my life but I never expected to find it in this world. This mountain is the Great White Throne".
Flash-forward 84 years. I hop on my bicycle and ride into Zion Canyon, only to become immortalized with the words "No cars...this is AWESOME"! And THAT is what makes riding a bike in Zion so very unique and special! Ever since the shuttles started driving the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in 2000, riding bikes in Zion has become a passion for many Zion visitors.
Leaving the Zion Visitor Center, I ride on the only trail in the Park that allows bicycles, the Pa'rus Trail. I exit that trail at the Canyon Junction and begin the steady 1.6 mile uphill climb to the Court of the Patriarchs. (If uphill is not for you, put your bike on a shuttle bike rack and hitch a ride to the Court). Because of the lack of automobiles, I can actually hear the flow of the Virgin River, and the wind jostling the leaves in the cottonwood trees...and the calories burning off! But a stop at the Zion Lodge for an ice cream cone helps me to replace 'some' of those calories and provide a little energy for my next leg.
Should a shuttle bus come upon me, I have 2 options: pull over and stop to let them pass, as shuttles are not allowed to pass bicyclists, or keep pedaling and let them draft me, allowing shuttle buses to get better gas mileage. As 'green' as that might sound, I prefer option 1, thus ensuring a quiet, relaxing ride with no one breathing down my neck! Then it's off for a rendezvous at the Great White Throne turnout with Mr. Fisher's brainchild, and a place where the shuttle buses do not stop. I then head to the Temple of Sinawava and slingshot around the Temple parking lot for my return trip. Except for 2 small inclines, the return trip is fairly level or downhill.
Upon arrival at the Visitor Center, I have logged 16 miles while enjoying some quality exercise, and soaked in the majesty that is Zion National Park. If you would like to do some biking but 'fear for your life' because of the inherent dangers of biking in traffic, I would highly recommend a trip to Zion.
Perhaps you too can become immortalized with words that will keep you coming back for more! |
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The Trail Less Traveled
By Tammy Eberhard, ZNHA Warehouse Manager
One of my favorite trails in Zion National Park, though not as well known as the intriguing "Zion Narrows," or challenging "Angels Landing," is The Watchman Trail. My nostalgia for this trail began over 30 years ago. I can return to it often, and find things much the same as they were when I first started hiking in Zion.
In March of 1980, I began a third season working for Zion National Park. I had just wrapped up student teaching at Hurricane High School. Graduation was around the corner. I couldn't wait to be out of the classroom and into Zion National Park. This was my first season working as an interpretive ranger. I was anxious to use my practiced skills with students in the field. Now I needed to find things to share in that outdoor classroom with the park visitors. I was fortunate enough to live in the park. The Virgin River was my backyard, Watchman trailhead was three minutes from home. I didn't have to look far for material.
I had recently had a cast removed from my leg after a minor skiing accident that winter. I was a little slow and tentative on the trail, but it turned out to be to my advantage, allowing me to see, smell, and hear things one might miss racing up a trail. The trail starts in the foothills beneath Bridge Mountain and Watchman Peak, and then begins to traverse up a shallow side canyon where, at the top, the trail opens up onto a plateau that provides views of lower Zion Canyon, the Temples and Towers of the Virgin, and the town of Springdale.
As I started up the trail I noticed car sized boulders that had settled at the bottom of the wash. They were impressive reminders of the constant erosion going on that created Zion Canyon. Many of the boulders had a colorful patchwork of lichen growing on them, mostly on their north sides. The presence of lichen is a great indicator of fresh, clean air. Working my way around the boulders, however, I picked up on a strong "earthy, skunk like" smell and had concern about what I might find around the corner. As I moved on, it seemed to disappear. I later learned that because of the high concentration of selenium in the soil, the Prince's Plume and Loco Weed that grew profusely there were responsible for the release of such a "memorable" fragrance.
The blue-green richness of spring growth from various foothill brushes presented a lovely contrast to the red soil they thrived in. I noticed patches of Indian paintbrush blooming in open areas on the hillside. Lizards basking in the sun scurried out of my way. As I continued to climb, the trail allowed an ever closer observation of the bedding planes of the Springdale Sandstone Member of the Moenave Formation. The softer shale layers are often undercut beneath the thicker sandstone, creating slight overhangs along the trail.
I found the hunting ground of the ant lion or doodle bug beneath some of these overhangs. It is called a doodle bug because of the depressions left in the sand as it excavates. The antlion larva digs its pits in dry, sunny spots sheltered from wind and rain, particularly on south-facing slopes. The soil must be light and easy to shift. Pushing itself backward, the larva first draws a circle on the ground; then, digging deeper and deeper, it spirals in toward the center. It buries itself at the bottom so that only the head, with opened jaws, can be seen, and there it waits for its prey. They are most active in late spring and summer. The adult stage is seldom seen. They look similar to damsel flies, but belong to the lacewing family.
Another fine quality of the Watchman Trail is how quiet and peaceful it can be. It has less traffic than other trails in the park, especially in the spring and fall. What you do hear is the faint trickle of water flowing down to the bottom of the canyon from the springs above. In late spring, I have heard the Canyon Tree Frogs calling for mates. To the unsuspecting visitor, it might sound more like a herd of goats approaching. This trip, I am lucky to hear the sweet, descending call of the Canyon Wren, one bird call I do recognize.
I wanted to continue on to find the source of the water. As I approached the end of the canyon after climbing maybe 300 feet., I passed through pinon pine, juniper, and mounds of the showy Buffalo berry on the steep hillside. There appeared to be shade at the end of the canyon, and probably the source of the water. The vegetation began to change. Western Wallflower appeared under the shade of trees. Then I found river birch, old cattails, new maidenhair ferns, and a thicket of scour rush. An oasis in the desert! These plants are all able to survive because of the springs and seeps that flow to the base of the sandstone then hit the shale, forcing the water to flow horizontal. I'm ready for some water myself.
From this point on I have done most of the climbing, and look forward to the view I will find just around the corner. Looking across canyon provides a good look at the trail I just traversed. There are some steep drop-offs at certain points along the way. I consider this when thinking about bringing younger children this far. The trail would be easily maneuvered single file, and do-able for children with adults front and behind.
I finally reach the top of the plateau where the view opens up presenting an outstanding vista of West Temple, the Towers of the Virgin, and the town of Springdale. I appreciate the towering Watchman peak behind me, as it stands guard over Zion's South Entrance. Native inhabitants and later Mormon settlers chose to congregate below the Watchman where there was a good water source, abundant wildlife, and rich soil.
Contemplating the view of the town of Springdale next to Zion National Park, I think how lucky I am today to have the convenience and comfort of a community next to a natural area, which has remained relatively unchanged in my lifetime. My wish is to keep this park and trail available to others now, and in the future, as natural and unchanged as it has been for me. I encourage you to take this trail less traveled, and cherish your Zion National Park memories.
The Watchman trail is considered a moderately difficult hike. It is 2.7 miles round trip (approx. 2 hours) and climbs 368 feet.
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Quiet on the Kolob Terrace by Sally Wier
Zion Interpretive Ranger The plateau, at 6900 feet, is flat, but beautiful. Here a feeling of mountains returns. Tall ponderosa pines grow in well-spaced stands, and the perfume of their pitch fills the crisp air with a fresh sharpness. The earth underfoot is muddy where the moisture of winter snow lingers, clinging on to a season now past as each spring day grows warmer and longer. Soon sego lilies will begin to appear on the plateau, dotting the flat expanses in flashes of white laced with purple. Occasional sagebrush, manzanita and shrub-live oak plants line the trail. Overhead the sky is a breadth of blue, unmarred by clouds of any kind. A cooling breeze cuts by, and the call of a raven hangs in the air. This is a rich environment, one full of scents, sights and sounds. The one thing lacking is the presence of other people.
This is a common reality when hiking on the trails which begin off of the Kolob Terrace Road, offering access to the central portion of Zion National Park. In Zion Canyon to the southeast, roughly 2900 vertical feet below the plateau, the bulk of the park's 2.7 million annual visitors gaze upwards at the beauty of sheer, vertical, and imposing cliffs. But in winding one's way up the road out of Virgin, Utah, escape from the crowds can be possible, and immersion into a surprisingly different habitat is a refreshing change. At a higher elevation than the main canyon, the plateau on the upper sections of the Kolob Terrace Road offer visitors the chance to be amongst trees such as ponderosa pine and quaking aspen, and wildlife which is rarely found in the canyon, such as elk. Although the drive alone is scenic and unique, there are hiking opportunities here which allow for a quiet escape from the car, without requiring the rigors of long and involved backcountry travel.
One such hiking area is found at the Wildcat Canyon trailhead where the Wildcat Canyon Trail and spur to the Northgate Peaks Trail can be found. Hiking out to the Northgate Peaks viewpoint is a flat 4.2 mile round-trip endeavor, typically only taking about two hours to complete. But it is worth taking more time here. Along the trail itself, stopping to enjoy the fragrance of sagebrush adds an aromatic vibrancy to the lingering scent of pine in the air. Upon examining the mud underfoot, tracks of elk and even mountain lions may be discovered. The chipping of rock squirrels echoes in the open air. Upon reaching the viewpoint at the end of the trail, one is reminded yet again that what makes Zion so spectacular is the geology: rock cut and carved into a myriad of beautiful and unique forms, and washed in colors ranging from deep red to black to striking white.
An outcrop of basalt at the viewpoint serves as a place to rest and enjoy lunch. To the south, views of rugged canyon country sweep away for miles and miles. Patches of green speckle the raw rock below in the form of Utah juniper and pinyon pine. That life can so persistently cling to this bare rock is remarkable. Beneath the widely-spaced trees, expanses of white slickrock reflect the sunshine of spring. Very likely the only human voice you hear may be your own, soft beneath the sound of wind.
Being here recalls to memory the rich variety of life that calls this national park home. Zion is not merely a park which contains a canyon of immense scale, so too is it a place which encompasses a great diversity of landforms, rock layers, and plant and animal life. A trip away from the canyon is not a trip away from Zion, but rather a trip into its heart, where we can see what the canyon was carved from, and know this is a place of constant change. When the snow melts away and Zion Canyon burns in the heat of summer, try a trip to a new part of Zion to refresh and recharge. Try a trip to the quiet plateau we call the Kolob Terrace.
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ZION CANYON FIELD INSTITUTE
UPCOMING EVENTS | |
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ZION NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
UPCOMING EVENTS | |
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A World Apart- Zion's East Side
By Michael Plyler, Director Zion Canyon Field Institute
To experience a stark landscape in contrast to Zion Canyon's verdant riparian environment, try a drive through the 1.1 mile-long Zion Tunnel. As you emerge from the tunnel you'll see Clear Creek on your right side. It parallels the road almost the entire way to the park's east entrance. Find a safe pullout on your right and drop into the drainage. Hike through Clear Creek as it "narrows down" and "slots up."
Better yet, before dropping into Clear Creek, drive the entire distance from the east end of the tunnel to the east entrance. As you do so, have your passengers scan the cliffs for Desert Bighorn Sheep while you keep an eye on the road. Bighorn are frequently spotted on the cliffs quite close to the road. Watching these nimble-footed creatures scurry up a near vertical cliff face is a memory you'll cherish for life. Right now the new lambs have just arrived. If after witnessing these magnificent creatures you become attached to them, return to the visitor center bookstore and join ZNHA's "Adopt A Bighorn" program. The proceeds from your donation directly support bighorn research in the park.
For the truly adventurous, drop into one of the side canyons on the north side of the road (opposite the Clear Creek side). Here you will discover a world of hoodoos, tinajas, slickrock, and a botanical desert where natural survival strategies are visible unlike those encountered in the main canyon. The tinajas are their own micro ecosystems teeming with life when water is present. You may encounter canyon tree frogs, horsehair worms, or ferry shrimp. Right now the wildflowers are in peak profusion: sand verbena, evening primrose, Indian paintbrush, royal penstemon, beavertail cactus, to name just a few. When hiking in these intimate canyons be mindful of cryptobiotic soil. "Don't bust the crust." Tread lightly, leave only footprints, take only pictures. Enjoy the slickrock environment that is Zion's east side.
In addition to his duties as the director of the field institute, Michael is an award winning photographer. See our website for information about Michael's photography classes: Fall Foliage Photography ,October 30-November 1, 2011, and Winter Photography, December 9-10, 2011. Remember that your membership gives you a 20% discount in these and other Zion Canyon Field Institute courses.
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 Painting on the Edge (of Zion) By Anne Weiler-Brown
The first time I painted Zion in 1980, fall color collided with red cliffs and I fell in love. For an artist from the east, Zion National Park was an unknown on the route from the Rockies to the Sierras. I painted for days. And year after year. Now, 30 years later, painting here every day is my passion.
By far my favorite spot is up from The Grotto, along the Kayenta Trail, from the northern trailhead walking downstream towards the Emerald Pools Trail. Early in the morning the light hits The Watchman and all the formations glow with perfect light and dark values.
Studying the sites painted by Thomas Moran in 1873, the views from Canyon Junction are just as wonderful today in 360 degrees - looking up at the "Bee Hives," The Sentinel and The East Temple or hiking down on the Pa'rus Trail for beautiful water scenes and lots of birdlife.
For spectacular vistas of Zion, set up your easel at Wildcat Canyon Trailhead off the Kolob Terrace Road, or for the adventurous, drive to the top of the Smithsonian Butte Scenic Backway off the Grafton Road in Rockville at sunset (4 wheel drive only.)
And finally, please don't miss the views over at the Kolob Canyons entrance to Zion where the Taylor Creek Trail walls glow in mid-day sun but the abundant trees keep you cool on the hottest summer day. And if you're really ambitious you might hike all the way to Double Arch Alcove for a really marvelous painting experience.
Zion National Park has to have the most accessible painting possibilities in red rock country.
Anne is a professional painter living in Zion Canyon and Chair of the November "In The Footsteps of Thomas Moran" plein air invitational. If you are interested in learning more about Plein Air Painting in Zion click here to learn about Anne's field institute class. www.anneweilerbrown.com |
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ZNHA Board and Staff receiving APPL awards at a western barbecue in Dallas, Texas. Pictured left to right: Sandra Lemmon; Joann Hinman, Director of Operations; Jock Whitworth, Zion National Park Superintendent; Jim Lemmon, Vice-Chairman; Lyman Hafen, Executive Director; Jill Burt, Retail Manager; Mary Kippen, Foundation Chairman; Tammy Eberhard, Warehouse Manager; Dennis Farris, Artist; Tracy Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications; Roland Lee, Chairman; Nellie Lee. |
ZNHA Wins Two National Awards
We are happy to report that Zion Natural History Association received two national awards at the Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) convention in Dallas, Texas, February 21-25. APPL's 2011 Media and Partnership Awards were handed out at the closing banquet at Dallas's Hyatt-Regency Hotel. Representatives of the more than 80 APPL member organizations enjoyed an evening of recognition of the excellent work being done in publishing and partnerships by cooperating associations across the country.
ZNHA's new visitor guide "Zion Adventure Guide: Exploring Zion National Park," won the award for Best New Visitor Guide. The 162-page, full-color book, with more than 150 photographs and 25 original maps, was released by ZNHA last summer. Among the judges' many positive comments about the book were the following: "Information well laid out, organized and presented. This comprehensive guide is outstanding. There's something for everyone, packaged in a well-organized, user-friendly design."
All of us here at ZNHA were also very heartened to learn that our 2010 "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran: Plein Air Artist Invitational at Zion National Park," was the winner in the Membership/Fundraising Program or Project category. The plein air event, held the first week of November in 2010, hosted 22 wonderful landscape artists who were invited to paint onsite in Zion National Park in the places where Thomas Moran did his original sketches in 1873. Each artist produced several paintings during the week and a sale was held at the Zion Nature Center. Proceeds from that sale, along with an auction of paintings created during a special one-hour "Quick-Draw" event, went to ZNHA's Zion National Park Foundation to help fund important projects in the park.
Among the judges' comments on the plein air event were the following: "Innovative program. A distinct and fascinating approach to interpreting the park, raising funds, and bringing in people - including some who might not think of the park as an artistic haven. I especially like your approach to the Quick Draw."
In addition to being recognized with these two prestigious awards, the ZNHA staff also participated in the educational portion of the convention by presenting two well-received 90-minute sessions.
The first session, entitled: "Engaging the Public Through Art - Zion National Park's Art Initiative," shared how artists, art and strategic partnerships can help connect the public with parks. It covered how ZNHA staged the most significant exhibit of Zion Canyon art ever during Zion's 2009 Centennial year, and how that effort led to rotating exhibits in the park museum, restoration of the park's original 1927 visitor center as the studio for a newly created Artist in Residence Program, and an annual plein air art event to raise funds for future art initiatives. The session was presented by ZNHA's executive director Lyman Hafen, along with the association's director of marketing and communications Tracy Jones, board chairman Roland Lee, park superintendent Jock Whitworth, and Fort Worth, Texas, artist Dennis Farris who was the first painter selected to reside at the Grotto in Zion Canyon.
The second session was entitled: "Zion's Green Team - Partnerships on the Road to Sustainability." Presenters Lyman Hafen, Jock Whitworth, and ZNHA's operations manager Tammy Eberhard, shared ways to forge meaningful and productive partnerships that allow associations to remain financially sustainable on the way to environmental sustainability. We shared how Zion National Park has been a leader in sustainability since opening its highly sustainable visitor center and transportation system in 2000. Since 2007, the park's "Green Team" has developed a partnership between ZNHA, Xanterra, Parks Transportation Incorporated, and the town of Springdale, Utah, to foster a culture of sustainability in Zion Canyon. We talked about a number of successful initiatives, including the discontinuance of bottled water sales in the park, replaced by interpretive water filling stations and the marketing of reusable water containers, which won the 2009 Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award.
The APPL convention was an eventful and gratifying week for those members of the ZNHA staff and board who attended. APPL is the national trade organization that represents the non-profit associations that have partnerships with public lands agencies.
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Greetings!
One of the best thing about working at a national park is the opportunity to interact with visitors. People on vacation have a laid back attitude and talking to them is quite enjoyable. This is especially true for those coming to Zion National Park. Most are awestruck at the wonder nature has put on display and many say that there is something here that speaks to their soul. Over the course of several years I enjoyed working in the visitor center. It was wonderful to speak with people from all over the world. Even on the occasion when we didn't share a common language, visitors were able to express the joy they found during their visit. The realization that most visitors have such a short time in the park was frustrating to me. Most barely scratch the surface of all there is to see. This issue of Zion Horizons is dedicated to giving you new ideas of ways to enjoy your next visit. I hope that you catch the enthusiasm the authors express and that you are able to visit again very soon. Thank you once again for your membership in Zion Natural History Association. Isn't it great to know you make a difference? |
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Best Wishes,
Tracy Jones
Director of Marketing and Communications
Zion Natural History Association |
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