Hey, how's it going everyone? Its Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're
doing a destination review of Zion National Park -- an incredible place to
visit and explore in Utah.
(light chiming music)
A lot of you know that we're huge fans of the
national parks. I honestly find hiking and exploring the national parks to not
only be a refreshing experience, but also a humbling one. There's no video or photo
that can fully capture the scale and beauty of these places. Being at a
national park allows us to switch off for a bit and become more present with
both ourselves and our environment. Zion National Park is in southwest Utah,
about a three hour drive from Las Vegas International Airport. It's next to a
city called Springdale and it's about 22 square miles. It was originally inhabited
by Native American tribes and later settled by Mormon settlers in the mid
19th century. We've actually been to Zion National Park twice. The first time was
in early 2017 before we even launched the channel, and the second time was last
summer in 2018. Both times were a different experience, especially since
certain activities are seasonal or were closed due to recent storms. Before we
jump in, if you're new here, welcome to our channel. Trip Astute is a travel
channel that is focused on sharing ways to make travel easier, affordable, and
more enjoyable. Traveling can be stressful and expensive, so we're looking
for ways to help you maximize your experience through travel tips, points and
miles, and innovative gear. If that sounds interesting to you, please consider
subscribing. In this video, I want to review some of our favorite hikes while
visiting the park, as well as some tips in case you're planning a visit. I'll
also include the difficulty rating for each of the hikes so you can gauge
whether it's something you may want to do. So, let's start with our favorite
hikes. Number 1: The Narrows. Hiking the Narrows is probably the most
iconic activity at Zion National Park. It's a hike through the narrow section of
Zion Canyon. It's an aquatic hike, so you'll be walking upstream through the
river. There are two versions of the hike. The most common is the bottom-up hike
which doesn't require a special permit. You basically start at the Temple of
Sinawava and follow a paved trail about one mile until the end of the
riverbank. At that point, you'll hike upstream toward an area called Wall
Street, which is absolutely gorgeous. The area has canyon walls that
are 1500 feet tall. To see Wall Street is about six miles round-trip, about four
miles of which is in the water. The water level and current depends on the day and
weather conditions. When we did it in August 2018, the water was mostly knee to
waist-deep. When we got toward the end of Wall Street though, the water level was
chest high at some points, so you'll want to be careful. The hike took about three
to four hours to complete. You'll want to pack your valuables and electronics in
dry bags, wear closed-toe shoes, and rent a hiking stick. The stick is actually
very important as it will give you another point of contact in the river which is
helpful in areas where the current is strong. You can also rent special shoes
for the hike, but we opted to use old pairs of sneakers that were at the end
of their life. Just don't wear sandals or flip-flops. We saw a few people attempt
it and they were bleeding from scraping their feet on the rocks and completely
miserable. Also, if you're doing the hike during cold weather, you'll want to rent or
pack a wetsuit to keep you warm. There are several hiking stores in the
area where you can rent gear and get more information.
Number 2: Observation Point. This hike starts at the Weeping Rock trailhead and
ends at one of the most scenic spots in Zion National Park. It's an 8 mile round
trip hike that's mostly uphill. The trail goes through Echo Canyons and along
White Cliffs. If you make it to the end, you'll have gained 2100 feet in
elevation. This is a strenuous day hike that takes about four to six hours to
complete. You'll likely be in sunlight during most of the hike, so be prepared
with both hats and water. I actually felt a bit dizzy toward the end of this hike
because it was so warm and we had misjudged how much water we actually
needed for the hike. Number 3: Angels Landing. This is another iconic hike in
the park. It also has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous as there
have been hikers that have fallen and died on this trail. The hike takes about
3 to 6 hours and is about five miles roundtrip. The elevation change is about
1,500 feet and it's generally classified as a strenuous hike. The trail consists
of steep switchbacks. You'll be hiking along narrow ridges and holding on the
chains as you make your final ascent to Angels Landing. We noticed several
people who were panicking along the final stretch. Since hikers have died on
this last stretch, it can be a bit nerve-racking. However, if you stay focused
on the trail and make sure you maintaining points of contact at all
times, you should be okay. Of course, if you're uncomfortable or anxious, I don't
recommend the final stretch as you'll find yourself having to backtrack along
the same narrow path. Since this is a technical hike, I don't recommend it for
younger hikers or those who may not be conditioned to handle the stress. This
trail does get crowded which means that you'll have to pass one another on some
of the narrow ridges. Take it slow and make sure you're aware of the conditions.
For example, when we did the hike in early 2017, we were told that there was
some ice on the trail. We packed our STABILicers which gave us extra traction
when stepping through snow and ice on the trail. Number 4: The Subway. This is
probably the most spectacular and difficult hike that I've ever done. It's
a permit only hike, so you'll need to apply in order to do this hike. The hike
can be completed in two different ways. One is bottom-up, which is what we did.
The other is top-down, which requires rappelling and swimming through the
pools of water. The hike is extremely technical, so I wouldn't suggest doing it
unless you're an avid hiker and feel confident about doing a long hike. We
carried enough food and water in case we happen to get stuck on the trail. Since
it's not an easily accessible trail, you want to be prepared in case you have to
wait for emergency services to arrive in the event that you get stuck or injured.
Also, the hike was recently in the news since a pair of hikers were caught in
quicksand. Again, this is not a hike that I would
even attempt in adverse weather. Number 5: Emerald Pools. Another beautiful and
popular hike in Zion is the Emerald Pools. It's an easy three mile round trip
hike to the lower pool. In fact, this is a good trail if you have younger children,
baby strollers, or wheelchairs. The trail features some very scenic views,
waterfalls, and pools. The trails to the middle and upper pools are a bit more
challenging, but worth the effort. The trails are great especially if the
weather is warm. The moisture from the waterfalls and pools, as well as a
general vegetation, should help to keep you cool.
Number 6: Hidden Canyon. This was a less popular hike when we visited. This was
also one of our favorites. It's about three miles total and about a thousand
feet elevation gain to get to the Hidden Canyon. The hike is fairly tough and
adventurous, including some sections with chains. Once you get to the canyon, you'll
do some scrambling to continue onward on the trail. This was one of our favorite
trails in Zion. We've only done it when there was snow, but we
would love to return and do this trail again in the warmer weather. Number 7:
Canyon Lookout. For those of you that may not want to do a long hike, you'll want to
check out the Canyon Lookout. This is a one mile round trip hike that's easy and
perfect for families. You'll basically drive on Route 9 through the Zion and Mount
Carmel Tunnel to get to the trailhead. It's a great place to get some beautiful
shots of the Zion Valley. While it's an easy hike that's perfect for families,
you'll still want to exercise caution on the trail, especially if you're traveling
with little ones. There are a few spots that are exposed and the snow and ice
can sometimes build up on the trail. In terms of lodging, it really depends on
your budget and a travel style. There are camping sites and the lodge in the park,
however we opted for a more boutique hotel just outside the park gate called
the Flanagan's Inn. We've stayed there on both visits and loved the inn's restaurant
as well. You can even book the hotel on Chase's
Travel Portal if you want to use points to pay for the lodging, which is what we
did. If you're planning a trip to Zion National Park, here are a couple extra
things to keep in mind. Number 1: Size. What we love about
Zion National Park is that it's really easy to get around and explore. Some
national parks like Yosemite or Sequoia are massive, and require a lot of time to
fully experience the area. Zion, on the other hand, is a bit more approachable in
size. Most of the attractions are within a 30-minute drive or shuttle ride from
the entrance, making it a much easier park to explore, especially if you have
impatient kids. Number 2: Pack snacks and lots of water. This is a consistent
tip whenever we talk about visiting a national park and is especially
important in Zion. We noticed that only some of the trail heads have water
stations and fountains, so fill up your bottle before you take the shuttle to
your trail. We actually ran out of water while hiking the Observation Point trail
and I started to feel a little bit lightheaded
toward the end of the hike. We made sure to carry more water on our other hikes.
In fact, we doubled the amount of water when we went on the Subway hike the
following day. Also, don't assume that you'll need less water if you're doing
an aquatic hike. You'll be exerting a lot of energy while hiking, so you'll want to
carry enough water for the entire day. Number 3: Wear appropriate footwear
and clothing. A common thing that you'll see in Zion when hiking
the Narrows is people attempting to hike it in flip-flops. That's a really bad
idea. Your foot will get scraped along the rocks. You'll see a lot of people
realizing their mistake and painfully turning back during the hike. Also, I
recommend wearing layers as the temperature can be drastically different
especially when you're going up 1,500 to 2,000 feet in elevation.
I wore my wool t-shirts and hoodie, and both were great at keeping me
comfortable and dry. Number 4: Check the parking and shuttle schedule. If
you're traveling to Zion during the peak season, you'll likely be using the park
shuttle to get to the different trailheads. The schedule changes every year, so
you'll want to check the National Park Service's website for more information.
For example, the first time we visited Zion National Park was in February 2017.
During that visit, the shuttles were not running so we were able to drive to all
the hikes. But when we visited in August 2018, cars were not allowed on the
main road, so we used the shuttle to get around. Number 5: Be flexible and have
backup options. Make sure you check the National Parks website for any closures
to the trails. Trail closures are common due to storm damage and rock fall. Many
of the hikes that are in or along the river will be affected by water levels
and currents. You'll want to follow any warnings or any instructions from the
rangers. Getting stuck in a flash flood is probably the biggest risk on these
trails, so play it safe. There are plenty of hikes in the area that you can do
that won't be affected by the water level. Number 6: Stop at the visitor
center. The visitor center is a great place to get additional information
about the hikes and weather conditions. There are rangers in the visitor center
who can give you advice and even provide you maps for all the different hikes. It's
also where you'll pick up any permits, like we did when we applied for the
Subway hike. Number 7: Get equipped with the right gear. While you can
complete most of the hikes with basic sneakers and a backpack, I do recommend
investing in rugged and comfortable footwear and backpacks that are padded.
On the Subway and Narrows hike, I was carrying about 40 pounds of weight,
mostly water, food, and camera gear. Having a comfortable pack, durable hiking shoes
with a lot of grip, and the right clothing materials, like wool and stretch
fabrics, helped make the experience more enjoyable. Also, I highly recommend
packing some insulated water bottles. You'll appreciate having cold water,
especially when you're hiking up steep inclines. Number 8: Don't take
unnecessary risks. You'll see a lot of people taking selfies along the edges of
cliffs. While I'm not opposed to taking pictures, I don't recommend dangling your
feet along the edge or letting yourself get distracted. The wind at higher
elevations is unpredictable and it's easy to get distracted or startled when
on the trail. Number 9: Get a National Park Annual Pass. The cost to enter the
park depends on whether you drive in or walk in to use a shuttle. As of March
2019, the cost per person is $20. If you're driving into the park,
then you'll pay $35 for your vehicle. Both of these passes are valid for seven
days. Though if you plan to visit more national parks, you may want to consider
an annual pass for $80. It lasts for an entire year and can be shared with
another person. The pass allows you to admit three additional adults when entering a
park as well. Number 10: Pack sunglasses, hats, and
sunscreen. Many of the popular hikes, like Angels Landing and Observation Point, do
not have a lot of shade. This means that you'll likely be exposed to a lot of
sunlight with little opportunity to find any shade. Make sure you pack sunglasses,
hats, and sunscreen. Also, I recommend starting your hikes early in the day.
You'll take advantage of the sun's position and also experience fewer
crowds on the trails. Number 11: Pack hand sanitizer and wipes. This is another
tip that we often share when traveling, especially to national parks. Most of the
bathrooms do not have running water, so bringing hand wipes and sanitizer can
help you feel clean and comfortable. Number 12: Leave no trace. During the
government shutdown earlier this year, the national parks experienced a lot of
damage, some of which is irreversible. You want to make sure that you protect
yourself and the park when exploring. This means not damaging or altering the
environment, following safety precautions, avoid feeding any wildlife, and always
disposing of any trash or waste. Also, a big pet peeve of mine is seeing people
hike while playing loud music. It's not only inconsiderate to other hikers, but the
sounds can often echo through the canyon affecting the wildlife. We obviously went
through the hikes very quickly, so if you're planning to do any of these hikes, make
sure you take the time to research each trail. I'll include some helpful links in
the video description and our website. We may also do a separate video at some
point on the Subway hike since there's so much to cover. Have you ever been to
Zion National Park? If so, what was your favorite hike?
Let us know in the comment section below. And if you have any questions, don't
hesitate to ask. If you enjoyed this video or found it useful,
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Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.