Day 3 -Hiking West Zion Canyon

After breakfast we caught the shuttle up to the Zion Lodge to hike the Emerald Pools trails and possibly connect to some other trails.  By the later afternoon we found we had basically linked most of the west-side trails.

We started on the Middle Emerald Pools trail and ascended quickly to the ledges and the pool.  We crossed over the ledge and took the more rugged trail to the Upper Pool which was surrounded on three sides by high vertical walls. 

We descended the Upper Pool trail and caught the Lower Pool trail. We crossed under the middle pools waterfall and viewed the lower pool.  We backtracked and caught the Kayenta Trail north expecting to then link with the Grotto trail back to the lodge but on coming to the Grotto decided to continue the 2.5 miles to Angel's Landing. 

Looking up Zion Canyon from the Kayenta Trail

The Angel's Landing trail was spectacular, ascending up a near vertical face on a thin ledge with sharp switchbacks.  After an ascent of about 800 feet the trail entered the narrow Refrigerator Canyon and continued a slight ascent before rising sharply again at the Walter's Wiggles, another near vertical climb carved into a sheer wall.  We came out to Scout Lookout after 2 miles and then headed for Angel's Landing.  The ridge trail was a bit intense so we backed off and had lunch at the base.

Not being ready to turn back yet we caught the West Rim Trail and followed it up to a bare summit and started to descend again.  We crossed over the the Refrigerator Canyon at its end and headed cross country to some large walls on the south side.  We kept an eye on the clouds forming to the south and finally turned back, regained the Rim Trail and started the big descent back down the Angel's Landing trail. 

On the West Rim Trail

Back at the Grotto we were hot and tired so we decided to go for a swim in the river to cool off before going back to the shuttle and camp.  Thunderheads were building again and by 5 p.m. it was raining again.