Zion National Park, Utah 2022

At the top of the Watchman Trail

My groom and I visited the beautiful Zion National Park on a weekday but it was still crowded. We drove the almost 3-hour drive from Las Vegas, NV, and got to the park entrance at 10am, local Utah time. Unfortunately, all the parking was full and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive was closed. Since it was a weekday, the shuttle wasn't running. We were told that we could hike the Canyon Overlook trail but space at its trailhead was very limited. We could also hike any of the trails from the Visitor's Center. We stopped at the Visitor's Center so that I could purchase a Zion NP t-shirt and baseball cap, then headed to the Canyon Overlook trailhead. 

The drive up and through the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway and tunnel was spectacular! Unfortunately, there was no parking available at the Canyon Overlook trailhead as well as along the road. Directly across the trailhead is another parking area but it's for "small vehicles".....which we didn't have (GMC Yukon SLT). There were so many people and cars! We drove past the trailhead and turned around and hoped we'd find parking on our way back, but no such luck. We ended up driving back to the Visitor's Center and hiked The Watchman Trail. The trail is very popular and views along the trail as well at the top of the foothill are amazing, photos don't do it justice! The trail doesn't bring you to the top of the Watchman mountain, just to the top of the foothill. But the views from the foothill of Watchman mountain and the southern area of the park are stunning, nonetheless!

We plan to re-visit Zion, stay overnight in either Springdale or Hurricane. Then get an early start in the morning to make sure we can get to those hikes along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive that I had originally planned for this trip - Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools Loop. And the Canyon Overlook Trail along the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway.

Enjoy this YouTube video I put together of our visit to Zion National Park.

The Railroad Cut - Mixed/Steep Ice Climbing

Met up with some folks for the Mixed/Steep Ice Climbing Clinic put on by the AMC-NH Mountaineering group. 

The Railroad Cut - Ice Climbing

 

Checking out the ice for climbing. Photo by @nunofsantos

It was a cold morning but good for getting some laps in while there's still ice in the area. For the most part, the ice here is still holding up. But some of the routes are baked/delaminated in the areas that get sun and hard and brittle in the shaded areas.

Purgatory Falls - Ice Climbing

 

Photo by @nunofsantos

Falls were flowing but we managed to find a couple of routes on the side of the Upper Falls!

Flume Gorge - Ice Climbing

 

Photo by @laurensaidelbaker

Ice climbing with some amazing women at Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch, NH!!

Stonehouse Pond - Ice Climbing

 Met up with Nuno to get in more swings and kicks at Stonehouse Pond!

Tipsy Taber Trails - Off Roading

More off-roading in CT! Spent the day at the Tipsy Taber Trails in Putnam, CT. This is a 10 acre, private property for weekenders to off-road.

Cathole Mountain Rock Climb, CT

 

Cathole Mountain, CT - Lovena, Jeni & Renee

Another round of climbing in CT, this time on Cathole Mountain! Jeni, Renee, and I got in some laps on Pink Elephants (5.6), Golden Book (5.6), and Pegasus (5.8). It was a fun day filled with climbing, eating, and laughter. So happy to help you out again Jeni! :) 

Pinnacle Rock, CT - Rock Climb

 

At the top of Pinnacle Rock, CT

It was good to get back to Connecticut to climb again. 3 years ago I onsighted VeeZee (5.4), a super fun crack! Today Jeni lead VeeZee and we also got in a couple laps on Leap Frog (5.6), Wizard Of Oz (5.7) and Emerald City (5.8). So happy to help you out Jeni! :)

#girlswhoclimb #rockclimbing #pinnaclerock #trad #toproping #leafpeeping

Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend Climb - NH

Artist Bluff - Lovena, Jeni & Erika

What a great day for rock climbing in Franconia Notch and Waterville Valley! Jeni, Erika, and I  got out to do some multi-pitch rock climbing, top-roping, and sport leading. Artist Bluff was chilly, windy, and mobbed with leaf-peepers. But Russell Crag was warmer and quieter, especially in the late afternoon. Enjoy a short video of our day.

#girlswhoclimb #rockclimbing #multipitchclimbing #sportclimbing #toproping 

#artistbluff #franconianotch #cannonmountain #russellcrag #leafpeeping