Zion National Park - Kayenta Trail and the Emerald Pools

After pulling out of Death Valley, our next stop is Zion National Park.  As research on the internet claimed cell service was spotty and 3G nonexistant, we booked in advance at the Zion River Resort, an RV campground on the Virgin River about 12 miles from the park.  While it can't exactly be called "camping", it was convenient having power in the campsite, hot showers, a swimming pool, and a pool table, as well as a general store, all within a short walk from the campsite.  As the temperatures dropped below freezing, the hot showers became even more appreciated!  Ironically, we had better cell service and in the park, and probably could have wranged wireless internet by hanging out at the Zion Lodge or Visitor Center when working.  While the campground in Zion Park was crowded the first few days, as soon as it started snowing, people cleared out fast.  Live and learn, and enjoy the swimming pool while you've got it!

For our first hike, we rode the shuttle bus up to The Grotto stop.  Crossing the river, we took the Kayenta Trail up to Upper Emerald Pool, and then used the Lower Emerald Pool trail to return to the shuttle bus stop at the Lodge.

This is the Virgin River, crossing the bridge to start the walk...

...and looking down on it from the Kayenta Trail, which climbs slowly up the opposite bank.

As you climb closer to the cliff walls, you can see the signs of huge rocks that have calved off of the side to crash down below.

Soon enough, we're at the Upper Emerald Pool.  See all of the kids playing on the sandbar near the trail?  Not ours!

He has scrambled across the rocks to the far side of the pool, where he is standing under the runoff from the rocks above that feeds the uppermost pool.  Look closely, he is the white dot in the bottom of the picture below.



Looking closer, I see that he is drinking the water falling from above.  I wonder if there is a cow pasture on top of the rock....

Our thirst satisfied, we head down the Lower Emerald Pool trail, passing by Middle Emerald Pool and enjoying the waterfalls that fall from it to feed the creek and pool below.